Hi-
I have a 1998 24valve and looking to add a performance chip. I have looked at the Edge EZ and Comp but think i am going to purchace the DR Performance stage 3 module. I'm new on this board and got my search feature disabled. I can find much info on DR Performance.

Anyone that can provide feedback on this module, it would be great.

Truck is stock but I have tranny, fuel and temp gauges, BHAF and straight piped.

 

Check out their website at www.drperformance.com

 

I'm running the stage 1 and I have no complaints. Increased power, fuel mileage, its great. I think your going to find mixed opinions around here about Dr. Performance. I would say more negative then positive. But, everyone has an opinion and it's your decision. Get you some gauges A.S.A.P., I would say before or while your adding a fuel box/chip/programmer to your truck. More fuel = Higher EGTs.

 

I have read on the other forums where there is alot of negative comments about it as well. Most were directed at some diesel mech. type shop, I was not sure if they are the same ones who make this module.
I do have the tranny, fuel and egt guages installed already. I wanted to add a edge ez and some injectors but sales guy sort of thinks the stage 3 module will be all I need. I asked about tranny problems with this set up and he told me if i dont push it to hard, it should be ok. I do have plans on TC and VB in the next couple of weeks.
I know people have concerns bout tapping into the injection pump to add the chip but I am out of warranty so I think that I going to do this.

 

I have not used the dr performance but a friend of mine uses them and sales them. He really seems to like them and I have actually not heard him say anything negative.

 

about Dr. P - do yourself a favor and do a search before you buy.

 

I was just wondering why you like the Dr. Performance stuff over any of the other brands?

I also find Buckshot's reply interesting, because on the Dr P's website they say you won't need an EGT gauge.

"With the Dr. Performance! system, there is no need to add a pyrometer to monitor your exhaust gas temperature. Our system WILL NOT raise exhaust gas temperatures above acceptable limits - EVEN WHEN YOU USE THE EXTRA POWER - because we DO NOT add more fuel than your engine is already designed to burn!"

Let us know how it turns out.

 

The reason I got my dr. p is, it was given to me, so the price was right. I agree with Mike D about what the dr performance web site says about not needing gauges, but, as stated here and several other places, anytime you add performance enhancing devices you need gauges. Now, when you call dr. p and ask them about gauges, they say its always a good idea to have them. I have had my gauges hooked up/installed for aprox 2 months now, and have not experienced any EGT issues, but, I have not towed anything yet to know foresure.

 

Just a sucker for a sale I guess. Called to get the Van Aaken v5 box and mentioned plans on adding RV 275 injectors later on. The sales guy said that he would go with the Dr.P module and it would give me the same gains as both the Van Aaken and the injectors combined. He sold other brands of module, ie. Bully Dog, Van Aaken and Edge but said that he just like this box for the bang for your buck.
Should have it this weekend, So I will report on the seat of my pants dyno later. Is this DR. P, the one that has the shop the same guy that makes this box?
The stage 3 box is rated at 120 hp, 200 ftpds Torque. Two Guys Garage, the tv show, had a show on it and reported good power increases on thier dyno.

 

Same one that was on 2 guys garage.

 

Dang Doc they sometimes just don't listen to what the Doc has to say, You guys should do a search like the Doc suggests to. Goodluck,,,Rick

 

Rick, you are wise beyond your years .....

 

You will toast something in your transmission very quickly with that hp increase even if the box can perform some magic defueling at shift points.
+120 hp is way beyond the hold capacity of a stock converter.

Dr P has a poor reputation starting back in the 12 valve days. High pressure sales plus some carnival tactics burned a lot of people for big dollars, but minimal gain. Word got around quickly on the boards.

Most vendors that quote "... does not void your manufacturer's warranty* and does not break-down engine components. ..." are full of it.

The Magnuson-Moss Act covers a lot of things, but if DMC voids your warranty because of after market products, good luck. You'll notice the Dr P warranty does not cover that.

 

I got the dr performance module installed. Tapping the pump wire was a real pain in the A$$. EGT stayed the same, but engine temp seems to have increased a little. I was running around 170 now it floats between 170 and 190 real quickly.
When I first started the truck, after installling it, the truck felt very weak. When I started to drive off the truck had no throtlle response but after a few minutes when the truck warmed up to about 170' it ran great.
Seat of the pants dyno: when you easy on the pedal the motor picks right up and pulls nicely. From a dead start, to about 70mph it pulls very impressive. I have 35 inche mud tires and 3.54 rear gearing and it use to feel perrty weak but not now if really does pull great. I can light the tires very easy, from a dead stop using just a little brake. Once turbo boost comes up it starts to pull much harder than before.
Anyone know why the lack of power when I first started it?

 

If I 'm not mistaken its because the ecm and the other sensor had to re-learn/adjust to the programming change with the module. I had the problem with mine when I installed it. What about smoke? Mine let out pretty big plume of smoke when first installed and I got on it. After about 15 miles it seemed like the smoke cleared up and the truck adjusted/adapted to its new found power. Just my thought about it.