aaronguy2k1 wrote:
Just want to add more feedback after a couple years of using the DIY tunes.
First, absolutely copy your original tune. You have to read first anyway, so you might as well just save it.
I switched back and forth between the stage 2 and 4 811 tune a lot. 4 has better high end, I really felt like 2 is better low end. You can feel it starting from a light. I got anywhere between 18 and 22 mpg using them, I think as low as 16 once where I was really entertained by black smoke on the stave 4 tune.
Speaking of smoke... In the winter the stage 4 could puff a little bit of smoke once warmed up, I don't recall ever seeing in on stage 2. Summer time, 4 blows smoke with any amount of acceleration. 2 will get little puffs before the boost catches up.
Out of curiosity a couple months ago I put the original back on, and noticed a rev spike at cold start. Email GDE and sure enough, I have the torque limited eco tune. Getting 24-26 mpg now, couldn't make smoke to save my life. That alone probably gives me 2 mpg, since I don't TRY to do it. Passing sucks, you can really tell where it limits the power.
GDE’s hot tune will also produce a little smoke, especially above 3200 rpm and at altitude.
Your summer/winter smoke difference is probably due to the intake air temp differences. I’ve seen IAT’s in the summer as high as 195F. Our intercoolers heat soak. I actually put in a custom Bell intercooler in front of the AC condenser instead of behind it so that it is the first thing to get hit by the fresh air from the grill and it makes a pretty solid difference. I haven’t really seen it go much over 100F