Negatives to GDE tune?

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:15 pm

I think we are all well aware of the positives to getting a GDE tune. :rockon:

But one thing I've learned in life is that everything has positives and negatives.

As I sit here until Tuesday waiting to get my ECU back from GDE :ALONE:

, I'm just wondering what your experiences have been with the tune. What are the negatives? Is there anything I might want to know before I hook my ECU back up and give her a go?

stoutdog · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:21 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

I think we are all well aware of the positives to getting a GDE tune. :rockon:

But one thing I've learned in life is that everything has positives and negatives.

As I sit here until Tuesday waiting to get my ECU back from GDE :ALONE:

, I'm just wondering what your experiences have been with the tune. What are the negatives? Is there anything I might want to know before I hook my ECU back up and give her a go?

On long trips, your EVIC is going to be WAYYYYY off... I'm talking 8-10mpg

Other than that, I've got nothing... :BANANA:

flman · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:13 pm

Too much torque in the snow. Wish their was a way to cut the torque, besides the ESP? For now it is go light on the accelerator.

RedRock · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:59 pm **Posts:** 10

Ive only had it a short while. But only positives have presented. I think DC screwed up large by not integrating the research GDE has invested in. Thankfully, we can circumvent the corporation and have things as they should have been from the factory. Only downside for you.... Is you don't have it installed yet....

racertracer · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:14 pm

Before you do the tune, replace your existing Torq converter with the updated DC Euro TC and Pump, \ then swap out the stock muffler with a 2 1/2" one.

You wont believe how good the beast will sound and perform.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:16 pm

Yeah i heard about the EVIC being way off with GDE. That sucks because mine is really accurate and I use the EVIC a lot.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:24 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

Yeah i heard about the EVIC being way off with GDE. That sucks because mine is really accurate and I use the EVIC a lot.

Meh, mine was close before... I'd rather hand calculate it anyways.

In contrast to what racertracer said, if you are getting just the Eco tune then the stock TC will be fine. If you're still under warranty, however, you might as well go for the upgrade.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

Only negative to date is louder engine noise. I don't have problem in the snow. The power delivery from standstill is much more linear and there is 3/4 less of the dreaded lag which can surpise folks when pulling out of intersection to turn.

Other potential drawback is risk of tickets for drag racing at every stoplight and speeding. The power increase is addictive and the cost of the tune requires that it be used frequently to get the most out of your money :-)

flman · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:54 am

Drewd wrote:

I don't have problem in the snow.

So your light vehicle, with a lot of torque, has no wheel spin or ESP light going on over a slippery surface? My CRD could easily break traction in 2wd before the tune. It will even break traction with a little bit of sand on light acceleration. The fish tail is pretty inherent in both my CRDs even with normal acceleration.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 1:29 pm

flman wrote:

Drewd wrote:

I don't have problem in the snow.

So your light vehicle, with a lot of torque, has no wheel spin or ESP light going on over a slippery surface? My CRD could easily break traction in 2wd before the tune. It will even break traction with a little bit of sand on light acceleration. The fish tail is pretty inherent in both my CRDs even with normal acceleration.

What tires do you have?

geordi · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 1:44 pm

Yea, I gotta question that too. What tires?

Before the GDE tune, I couldn't get my CRD to break traction at all, unless I was on saturated pavement and floored it. It just didn't seem to have the power on the stock tires. On the 215/85 tires, it will break loose on dry pavement, but only if it is also a little sandy. Still no slip unless it's floored.

With the GDE now, power is better (I actually haven't felt the same huge power gains as everyone else says they've felt, it just drives more evenly with less throttle for me) and it will break loose in SECOND GEAR now, on not-quite-sand-free pavement. But again, only at WOT.

My thought is: Use less foot, and your CRD will perform better.

At the same time... Light vehicle? 4500 lbs? What would you describe as heavy?

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 1:52 pm

GDE now offers an EVIC "tweak" that makes the MPG function much more accurate. Make sure you ask about that and also the VH (viscous heater) tweak, as well.

DOC

RedRock · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:59 pm **Posts:** 10

racertracer wrote:

Before you do the tune, replace your existing Torq converter with the updated DC Euro TC and Pump, \ then swap out the stock muffler with a 2 1/2" one.

You wont believe how good the beast will sound and perform.

fwiw...GDE states eco tune for stock TC is fine. Designed to play nice together... Also that exhaust mods are poor return for investment.

That said I'll upgrade my TC as I plan lots of towing. AND that turbo kit is VERY tempting!!! At that point exhaust mods would probably be worthwhile...

stoutdog · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:45 pm

DOC4444 wrote:

GDE now offers an EVIC "tweak" that makes the MPG function much more accurate. Make sure you ask about that and also the VH (viscous heater) tweak, as well.

DOC

I have the latest update, but it only helps so much with the EVIC. Before, on trips to Flagstaff and back (6k ft. elevation change), my EVIC would read ~46-48mpg when I got home. Now it reads ~38-40. I'm really getting 30-32.

Maybe it helps more if your driving is limited to in town conditions (in which case, I bike).

Regarding traction issues in the snow, I've only had problems twice. Once, while in 2x4, I spun out in some slush on a side road... shifted it into 4 part time and got out no problem. Once, while in 4 full time, I spun out on some ice in the parking lot. Neither really surprised me that much.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:42 pm

I sent them an email to ask about all the features.

The tweak for the electric fans to keep the transmission cooler sounds great to me. On my previous CRD, I was known to have 3.5 tons hooked onto the hitch at times. :CAMPING:

And the CRD climbed 6% grades at 55 MPH like it wasn't even back there.

RedRock · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:59 pm **Posts:** 10

LibertyCRD wrote:

I sent them an email to ask about all the features.

The tweak for the electric fans to keep the transmission cooler sounds great to me. On my previous CRD, I was known to have 3.5 tons hooked onto the hitch at times. :CAMPING:

And the CRD climbed 6% grades at 55 MPH like it wasn't even back there.

you pulled 7000 pounds in the mountains? Wow. very impressive! I plan to do some more limited mt. towing in the future.... I presume that jeep was upgraded quite a bit??? thanks.

flman · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 3:59 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

What tires do you have?

Bridgestone Dueller AT Revo

flman · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:07 pm

geordi wrote:

At the same time... Light vehicle? 4500 lbs? What would you describe as heavy?

What is the weight at the back axle? 2000? Maybe less unless you are carrying cargo and passengers? My Freightliner that weighs 3 1/2 times as much with less then double the torque will break em loose real easy as well. Weight is not the only factor here. It is the torque that gets em spinning.

And I have heard many times in many forum about CRDs fish tailing real easy, on take off. So either you guys have an egg between you foot and the skinny pedal, or your CRD's are not putting out like they should?

stoutdog · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:11 pm

flman wrote:

And I have heard many times in many forum about CRDs fish tailing real easy, on take off. So either you guys have an egg between you foot and the skinny pedal, or your CRD's are not putting out like they should?

Especially in snowy/icy conditions, I drive like there is an egg down there. Or better yet, like there is a steaming hot cup of coffee on the dash.

:2cents:

flman · **Posted:** Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:21 pm

stoutdog wrote:

flman wrote:

And I have heard many times in many forum about CRDs fish tailing real easy, on take off. So either you guys have an egg between you foot and the skinny pedal, or your CRD's are not putting out like they should?

Especially in snowy/icy conditions, I drive like there is an egg down there. Or better yet, like there is a steaming hot cup of coffee on the dash.

:2cents:

Exactly, and in a gasser you would not need to be so careful with the accelerator.

Negatives to GDE tune?

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