Is it important to order the overdrive software package with the MiniMax programmer? Does this software protect the transmission or is it a performance mod? I am not interested in jacking up monster power on my truck, just interested in a small power bump and fuel economy. Tired or constant regens. I don't want to spent the $300.00 for the software if it is not necessary. Thanks.

 

It is not necessary, but it does improve how the transmission reacts to your new found power. It does increase line pressure in the transmission and gives it a little more holding power. If you are not going to tow or race, I would say you can try with out it and always add it if you think your stock tranny is not going to takeing the stress. Just my opinion though. BTW, I love my overdrive software and I tow heavy lots.

 

I recommend the transmission software. It is so different with the software. I tried my truck with and without and I will never go back.

If you have enough cash to get ATS's "Co-Pilot" then I would buy that. I have heard that it is amazing

 

In what way does the trans become "so much better"?

 

It was an easy decision for me. I didn't like the way my transmission shifted before doing any mods. It always shifted rough and it seemed like it would hunt for gears. The biggest problem I didn't like was when I would let off the accelerator and then having to accelerate again (think of someone cutting in front of you unexpectedly and then take off), there was always a delay in the transmission engaging. I talked to the dealer and they said it was normal because "all the trucks on the lot do the same".

Now, with the overdrive added, it makes a huge difference. All of the problems I was having are gone. The trans just all around shifts better.

 

Thanks, that was a good explanation.

 

I agree with what you said about the trans 6.7L MC. Everyone says the trans is pretty tough but it sure doesn't act like it. I guess its just the stock cushy programming, dang engineers haha.

How does the overdrive software affect the tow/haul mode? Cause that seems way to far opposite of the cushy regular mode. Especially when it downshifts just seems a bit too aggressive.

Brent

 

I really do not remember how it was in Tow/Haul mode as a stock truck but with the H&S it works perfectly for me. I set cruise at 60mph control towing a 21' travel trailer through western NC into TN. If you have driven that route then you know how "Hilly" it is. My truck rarely, if at all, downshifted to make it up hills and going down hills the exhaust brake/downshifting was aggressive but not too bad. I actually NEVER had to touch the brakes.

OBTW, my truck has 4:10 gears

 

It didn't affect the Tow/Haul mode at all. I would have never thought about "testing" it until I read a post an upset user, I think it was on H&S's forum, about how it doesn't work properly anymore.

If I were the CEO of Chrysler or Dodge or Ram or whatever they are nowadays, I would challenge the engineers to remove any thought of others having to reprogram their transmission because the engineers just weren't smart enough...I would be insulted if I were the CEO or the engineers

New2Diesel, I know that route...beautiful out there! Went backpacking near Cades Cove, TN with some friends when I was stationed in Goldsboro. Took the route again a couple years later when I relocated to the west coast.

 

Not to hijack this thread, how is your mileage compared to those with the 3.73 gears (like myself). I always told myself when I got rid of my '08 MC (3.73), that I wouldn't settle for anything less than 4:10. That failed. I read somewhere on here a day or two ago that someone said the 4:10 in the 6 speed auto is comparable to the 3.73 in the 6 speed manual. Any truth to that? If so, I'm ready to upgrade!

 

I will be honest with you, I drive my truck pretty aggressively. I think the best mileage I have ever gotten on this truck with full deletes is 16mpg MAX. That was with no load and cruise set between 65-70.

My average daily driving is around 14.5. Trust me brother, I have been testing all the tunes and being carefull on some of the fill-ups but I have no real success stories with fuel economy. Of course I have low mileage so that does not help either.

When I get home from this deployment I plan on doing some serious upgrades to the intake side of the CTD. This is so I can lower EGT's but I also expect better fuel economy.

 

Fair enough! My '08 had a Hemi, though a good motor, just seemed somewhat out of place in that truck and felt if I had gotten the 4:10 gears instead (and a diesel), I may have kept it around longer. But, that is the reason for what I have now--and I don't regret it!

Mileage helps, I think it was around 20K on my truck when I noticed a difference in fuel economy. As I get more comfortable with what I can do with my truck and get more work put into it, I will start playing around more. Until then, I have fuel economy as my goal right now. I think cbrahs had his MPG listed as 23.7. I'm sitting 1 mpg less. More than likely not achievable, but I tinkered with 30mpg as a goal, with around 25 being a bit more realistic.

 

If I ever, ever, ever see 20mpg hand calculated then I will be suprised. I do not think it is possible at all. I have so much done to my truck that I just don't know how some of these guys are getting 20+mpg. Then again, I always got my foot in the throttle.

 

Mine has done 22mpg hand calculated at 10K gross weight, on a 250 mile trip hope from West Virginia. 70mph cruise on mostly interstate.

It will do 20mpg pretty much any time I spend any length of time on the freeway, as long as I keep it under 75mph. If I run faster, it will drop down a bit, but usually still above 18.5mpg.

Chris

 

Mine has shown 20.2 but was cruzing and not many hills that day. If you live in the flat lands yes but here there are way to many hills. Back and forth to work + some hwy I babyed it for one tank just to see and was 18+ but now driving it hard like I always do I am in the 16's. Either way it is so much better than stock!!