Fixed Blown Head Gasket, Should I run a tuner? - Diesel Forum

Brentsbg · 07-25-2007, 12:28 PM

6 months ago, I found out my head gaskets were blown. Thought I would be out the $4,000 for having the dealership fix it. LUckily I posted and I talked to quite a few people from the site who also had the problem and with there advice had it fixed under warranty.

Now I am deciding if I should put the tuner back in. I installed arp studs and have heard that the head gaskets should not blow. I have the superchips programmer and the banks system w/ speed loader and pda system. I will most likely just run the superchips programmer as it is easier to install. (I have yet to hook the truck up with the banks system).

I guess my real question is, I didnt realize that the headgaskets would blow using a tuner, what else do you guys think will go wrong? I dont get on it too much, and the superchips programmer seems to be the tamer of tuners. The banks system might be a different story. Any comments, thoughts, or advice will be appreciated once again.

ebusa · 07-25-2007, 04:54 PM

I would run a Superchips Flashpaq 1805 on the Economy Setting. Do you have stock exhaust?? With a tuner, I would install at least a 4inch Turbo back system and a Pyro.

colonelaberilla · 07-25-2007, 06:27 PM

How much money did Banks give back to you for the blown engine?

TKOPerformance · 07-25-2007, 07:58 PM

With fresh gaskets and studs? It should be on! Get more fuel into it, raise the boost, get injectors, go run 12s. Seriously, you're good. Guys are running 50+ PSI with stock head gaskets and studs without failure. With a tuner and stock turbo the most you're going to see is 35 or less.

Brentsbg · 07-25-2007, 10:16 PM

If anything it was most likely the edge system in it before I got it, later to find out, he was a hot head. It wasnt until later I added the superchips progammer, I have not added the banks kit, I just have it in hand, debating on putting it in or just re-selling it on ebay.

DALPilot · 07-25-2007, 10:35 PM

Resell it and go sith the SCT with a street tune. Your heads are fine with ARP's installed.

UNBROKEN · 07-25-2007, 10:47 PM

[ QUOTE ]
With fresh gaskets and studs? It should be on! Get more fuel into it, raise the boost, get injectors, go run 12s. Seriously, you're good. Guys are running 50+ PSI with stock head gaskets and studs without failure. With a tuner and stock turbo the most you're going to see is 35 or less.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wanna bet ? I never could catch a pic with the needle straight down...but it happened all the time with the tune I was playing with at the time.
This is the best I ever caught on film:
http://www.competitiondiesel.com/for...0966Medium.jpg

darsey715 · 07-25-2007, 10:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
6 months ago, I found out my head gaskets were blown. Thought I would be out the $4,000 for having the dealership fix it. LUckily I posted and I talked to quite a few people from the site who also had the problem and with there advice had it fixed under warranty.

Now I am deciding if I should put the tuner back in. I installed arp studs and have heard that the head gaskets should not blow. I have the superchips programmer and the banks system w/ speed loader and pda system. I will most likely just run the superchips programmer as it is easier to install. (I have yet to hook the truck up with the banks system).

I guess my real question is, I didnt realize that the headgaskets would blow using a tuner, what else do you guys think will go wrong? I dont get on it too much, and the superchips programmer seems to be the tamer of tuners. The banks system might be a different story. Any comments, thoughts, or advice will be appreciated once again.

[/ QUOTE ]
you're fine now with studs. I would recommend the xcal2 though. duuhhhhh.

OneTonHillBilly · 07-26-2007, 09:20 AM

Pick the tuner you want and TUNE IT EXTREME, RACE OR WHATEVER THE HIGHEST SETTING IS! I tow HEAVY DAILY with mine and been on EXTREME TUNE for a long time. Pukes coolant but always has.

slow6oh · 07-26-2007, 12:05 PM

The question is "Which tuner should I run?" not "Should I run a tuner?"

The answer is: go with a custom tuned SCT. You will love it.

Much better on the engine and tranny than say ANYTHING else.

There will be some guys that will chime in and say the Edge is just as good...but most of them have not tried the SCT.

SCT tuners can custom build your tune specific to your truck.

tincan · 07-26-2007, 01:32 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pick the tuner you want and TUNE IT EXTREME, RACE OR WHATEVER THE HIGHEST SETTING IS! I tow HEAVY DAILY with mine and been on EXTREME TUNE for a long time. Pukes coolant but always has.

[/ QUOTE ]
You are playing with fire my friend [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Brentsbg · 07-26-2007, 04:44 PM

Im the kind of guy who just wants to push and play. I dont want to have to tinker, would the sct be for me?

I already have the banks kit, should i resell, keep using the superchips, or sell both and get the sct?

TXGooseneck · 07-26-2007, 04:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Pick the tuner you want and TUNE IT EXTREME, RACE OR WHATEVER THE HIGHEST SETTING IS! I tow HEAVY DAILY with mine and been on EXTREME TUNE for a long time. Pukes coolant but always has.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you do a favor for me and take a picture of your engine bay?

I've been losing coolant, but it doesn't just sit and puke fluid on the ground, it just has residue all over the driver side of the engine bay.

TXGooseneck · 07-26-2007, 04:57 PM

I like the power on the SCT, but having to stop and change programs is frustrating for me.

My tst on my dodge was great because I could tune up or down on the fly.

**InnovativeDiesel** · 07-26-2007, 05:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I like the power on the SCT, but having to stop and change programs is frustrating for me.

My tst on my dodge was great because I could tune up or down on the fly.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. When we could chip the trucks, like the 7.3L, you could change settings on the fly..including transmission settings.

However, changing power on the fly is a thing of past. Ford stopped installing a port that chips could be installed, so now programming is the only way. All of the modules and boxes out there don't do anything for the trans, so it's necessary to program. Even the Dodge and GM trucks have trouble with shifting now that they are fully electronically controlled.

The only other option is to use a module for power and a programmer for the transmission. It's a much more expensive route and there are drawbacks to adding power without the truck having time to learn.