Speed Brake/Tuners

[fccbandit]

Hi all,

I have been reading this forum for several years now, and my DH and I have finally made the plung and purchased a 2005 38RL3. We will be fulltiming and towing with a 2007 Chevy Silverado 350 turbo diesel with the allison 6 speed trans. DH is considering installing a Banks speed brake and tuner. I would appreciate any info form anyone who has a speed break. Are they worth the investment? Pro's and Con's,.

Thanks

[Glenn West]

You can burn up your tranny with the Banks. Yes, they claim they are safe but go to Durmax diesel forums and you'll find out differently. You can send your ecm to someone like Idahorob (if interested PM me and I'll get the info) and have a safe tow tune with a turbo brake for around $350.00. Members say this turbo brake is as good as banks at a fraction of the cost. You can also get a switch with different tunes that can be shifted "on the fly". I'm get a switch with my tune ecm with tow tune and a economy tune. The economy with be my daily tune and naturally tow with turbo brake will be for towing my MS.

[orkirk]

Originally Posted by Glenn West

You can burn up your tranny with the Banks. Yes, they claim they are safe but go to Durmax diesel forums and you'll find out differently. You can send your ecm to someone like Idahorob (if interested PM me and I'll get the info) and have a safe tow tune with a turbo brake for around $350.00. Members say this turbo brake is as good as banks at a fraction of the cost. You can also get a switch with different tunes that can be shifted "on the fly". I'm get a switch with my tune ecm with tow tune and a economy tune. The economy with be my daily tune and naturally tow with turbo brake will be for towing my MS.

Are you saying the tuner or the banks speedbrake will burn up the Allison?

I know you can put too much power with a big tuner and burn up the transmission. I've not heard of the Banks Speedbrake burning up the Allison yet. I've talked to people using the Speedbrake in the mountains,pulling 16-18k with good luck. I agree that the price is a little steep,but had not found anything else when I bought my banks Speedbrake last fall. I've only used the Speedbrake on my truck unloaded since we ordered our new MS. So I will find out first hand how it works with a heavy load ,soon I hope.

I also have a 2007 3500 Chevy diesel dually. I've got a hypertech max energy tuner and I load the stage 1 tune for towing(45hp) and the stage 3
(90hp) when running empty. I need to install a EGT gauge before we head out West through the mountains with our MS. That seems to be one of the most important things to watch on the Duramax is the EGT temps. They run a little higher than the other diesel EGT's do,it seems.

Anyway, it's good to do your research and protect your expensive truck investment. Sounds like Glenn's suggestion is worth checking out for that money. I paid a lot more for the Banks Speedbrake and would have checked that $350 tuner/brake out if I would known about it.

Good Luck on your choice!
orkirk

[Glenn West]

Box tuners are just that, boxes to serve the majority. Just look at how many year models their same tuner works on. Most people who purchase tuners are young people (ah the day) who are interested in power and lots of it. Just go to any truck pull or drag strip and it will really open your eyes up. Now if you can build a tune to just your needs, well that's just plain cool. Enter EFI Live. This is a reader/ programmer that enables you or some one else (I recommend a component tuner that has thousands of hours using it) of transferring the data on the ecm to his computer and customizing with the program. Then flashing this modified data to your ecm. Basically anything that can be done can be yours, custom turbo brake, economy tune, etc. You can even get a switch with 2 or 5 settings and have this many different tunes. The term is literally CUSTOM TUNE. Check out xxx:duramaxforum.com. Idahorob and Nick are great tuners. There are others but these two are highly recommended. I personally don't have time to learn efi tuning or the desire. I send my ecm to tune and he applies his knowledge to my ecm. If over nighted turnaround can be little as 3 days. jfyi God bless

[Glenn West]

A mere 50 hp tune can done poorly can burn up tranny, engine in the right conditions. Pulling at max up a long hill is a good example. I would never use any box tuner towing a MS.

[orkirk]

Glenn, thanks for the good info!

I have been on the Duramax forums before and they have a lot of good info there. I have seen Nick on there before,but haven't seen Idahorob before.

I did go on the forum and posted the question about the Banks Speedbrake (only) causing any trans. problems. I haven't got any replies yet. I hope to get some input soon.

Before I bought the Speedbrake I did check with people that have used the Speedbrake pulling heavy loads up mountains ect.. They all had good luck and no problems. I'm not saying you're wrong ,but haven't found anyone having any problems with the Speedbrake (only). The custom tuners for HP,mpg,ect. sound like it may be a better way to go though. Only if you deal with the qualified people like you've mentioned. I have heard of lots of problems with high HP tuners,programmers,ect when abused.
I,ve had no problems with my Hypertech max energy,but I don't abuse it either. Also I don't think the tuners actually put out the HP they claim. My 45hp stage 1 is probably only about 35hp and the 90hp stage 3 is only about 65-70hp. The Allison people claim you can safely add up to 120hp over stock on the 6speed (2006&up yrs). I'm nowhere close to that.

Anyway, the more info one has the better decision we all can make. Also seems after I buy something,then something better come out.

Good Luck to all!
orkirk

[Glenn West]

You are on Dieselplace.com. Idahorob is not a member there. A stand alone speed brake should not harm engine or tranny. The box tuner can. Custom tuning is much less monies and offers much more options. I was referring to the tuner, not the speed brake. Most people use them together though. God bless.

[orkirk]

Glenn, Thanks for your help

I agree ,I don't think the Speedbrake itself will be a problem. Since I've already paid out the big $$$ I'll just stick to what I have.
Safe Travels,
orkirk

[orkirk]

Originally Posted by Glenn West

You are on Dieselplace.com. Idahorob is not a member there. A stand alone speed brake should not harm engine or tranny. The box tuner can. Custom tuning is much less monies and offers much more options. I was referring to the tuner, not the speed brake. Most people use them together though. God bless.

Hey Glenn, I found Idahorob on the dieselplace forums. Found him in the "vendors section". Don't think he has been on there too long though.

Safe Travels,

orkirk