PPE Hot +2

[BudTX]

I am finding that my PPE Hot +2 seems to perform better on Level 8. I was expecting to run it on Level 9 and get better power, but my seat of the pants meeter tells me that all that it seems to do is smoke more. According to the information that I have been able to gather from PPE, Level 10 = 425 hp, Level 9 = 350 hp, Level 8 = 330 hp.

I have a FASS and an S&B air intake, along with a built tranny. Am I running out of fuel in that higher tune?

I have not checked rail pressure (I know, I need to).

[hdd-max]

Hey fellow kansan! The hot +2 has 2 much pulse width even with a lift pump. What year is your truck?

[BudTX]

Hmmm. My signature was saved, but is not showing up.

My truck is a 2004.5 LLY.

[BudTX]

Now it is! :)

[James Hess]

i am thinking about getting the ppe but i have a stock tranny for now, till i can get a better one ir build this one i was going to go with the ATS co-pilot. how do you like your programmer and is there a way to increase power without throwing huge bellows of black smoke(dont kill me yall)? im not the biggest fan of throwing fuel out of my truck without burning it first milage thing ya know.

[neversatisfied]

The PPE is adjustable so some of the lower settings will be more trans. friendly and less smoke.
You could always look into some Moonshine if you want something adjustable on the fly and good power with not much smoke.

[James Hess]

moonshine being propane or nitrous? i dont want to mess with that.

[RickDLance]

Moonshine is a custom tuners work. Specifically Tony the tuner. You can find him here;

http://dmaxcentral.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=109

[BudTX]

Tony's Moonshine is a great custom tune. I looked into it last year, but there was a shortage of LLY ECMs at the time and I got a good deal on the PPE.

I noticed a marked decrease in smoke when I went to the S&B intake, but it will still roll the coal when I step on it. It will also absolutely smoke the tires. :gr_grin:

[James Hess]

hmmm well if it smokes then i guess ill upgrade my air right. what do you think with having the ppe with a cold air intake and a boost fooler, i figure it will still smoke but it shouldnt be too bad but then again i risk over spooling the turbo instant death right? i guess EFI live is my way to go if i dont want that much smoke.or am i wrong.

[blksmok]

If you go with EFILive, you better plan on a trans right away. There are no safety rails and you can make as much power as the motor will put out. If you went with Nick (vendor here) he has a tune library and I think he has tunes that would be "trans safe" but if you are going to jump in by yourself you better get the trans done.

[James Hess]

oh no i am not going to write any tunes myself:duh: quickest way for this bonehead to screw somethin up. i was going to gather a few from some respectable people no matter which way i go if whatever programmer i get is adjustable in that way, downloading them and all. but i definatly plan on either trans work or upgrading to a better one.

[RickDLance]

I've used Nicks tunes also. He has some that should work good with a stock tranny.

[James Hess]

man i sure didnt mean to jack this thread but thanks for the advice how expensive is the EFI live and the PPE through a sponsor on this site.

[neversatisfied]

If you decide you want to try EFI, definately talk to Nick. I'm pretty sure he sells it too so you can get a price from him. He will get you setup up and give you plenty of help and you can always other here for help.

[BudTX]

The best way to run a big tune and cut the smoke is to give Tony, Nick or another good custom tune maker a call and have them build a tune specifically for your set-up. :)

[neversatisfied]

I agree but with a little time, some data logging, and maybe a little help from others here, you could build one yourself too.:D

[James Hess]

but only with the EFI live? or can i do that with other programmers? i know EFI live is a software type program because i have the LS1 edit program for my camaro and i am thinking they are similar just one is for the duramax.

[blksmok]

Yes, with EFILive, you program the truck yourself. The other programmers are preset tunes.
Handhelds, you pick what you want to run, hook the handheld up to the truck and load the new program in.
With inline modules like banks and edge, they are connected into the data stream at all times and alter signals to the ECM based on what settings you have selected.

[James Hess]

what about sct programmers i think thats the name, that buddy of mine with the 6.0 powerstroke has one and he can download tunes from other people and then plug them into his truck? but he blows a crap load of smoke its cool and pretty dang funny when you got a complete ass beside you with his window down. you can give em what he deserves. but i like power and as much milage as i possibly can get, along with a somewhat clean truck without all the soot on it.

[blksmok]

SCT is a ford thing, just like EFILive is a GM thing. You can get tunes from other people with EFILive also. And you can blow as much or as little smoke as you want. With EFILive, it's all up to you. Again, there is no real safety net though... You will easily have plenty of power to smoke your stock trans.

I built what I thought was a trans safe tune to run until I got my trans built. When Mike L. re-did my trans (after only 10K miles) my clutches and steels were burnt bad. Someone dyno'd my tune (I gave it out freely) and it put down 430HP and 835 ft-lbs.

I've since stepped it up quite a bit. :D

You can download the software for free at efilive.com. (demo version but it'll let you play around with it) Load it up and play around with it and see if it's something you want to spend some time figuring out.

Also, keep in mind, if you buy it from someone that will include a tune with it or access to a library of tunes, it has a nice compare feature where you can load up the stock tune, and another tune, compare the two and see what all has been changed. This greatly helps with the learning curve.

[James Hess]

sounds like im going EFI live then, but for now till i upgrade my tranny would something like 90hp over stock be good ive read thats about all a stock tranny can handle. i have the allison dont know if that changes anything.

[blksmok]

yeah, you can put a mild tune in and wake the truck up nicely. A good tow tune will make a huge difference in driveability and still be safe for your trans. Again, Nick (vendor here) at duramaxtuner.com sells EFILive and has a tune library that would be very beneficial in the learning curve as well as keeping you in the "trans safe" mode while you learn and wait for your trans upgrade.

[James Hess]

sounds good, i figure thats what im gonna do then. ill give that site a gander see what prices come up. how close to 10 are you smoke? i do pass mesa on the way to phoenix right?

[blksmok]

Not really. You would have to climb on US60 and head East to get to Mesa. I'm about 25 miles East of the I-10 - US60 interchange.

[James Hess]

that aint too bad. just curious for future reference if we did something like a diesel club get together (barbecue) or something. and if i needed help with my truck if your so grateful when and if the time comes:lol: