Diesel Tuner's Blog

Paul Wilson

Paul Wilson

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MPGs in Your Duramax, Cummins, or PowerStroke

[fa icon="calendar'] May 7, 2022 6:30:00 AM / by Paul Wilson posted in LLY mpg

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Miles Per Gallon is currently the biggest topic in the Diesel truck owner community. From over-the-road tractor tailers to daily commuters with mini-diesels every one is noticing the impact of high fuel costs right now. 

The most common question today is "HOW CAN I GET BETTER MPGs WITH MY DIESEL?".

The reality is, you're never going to get 30 MPGs with a full-size diesel pickup truck. That doesn't mean there's no hope for better than average though. In real-world conditions, our experience has been that you can expect somewhere in the high-teens for MPGs from a 7,500-8,500 lbs truck. 

Here are the most important things you can do to get the best possible MPGs from your Duramax, Cummins, or Power Stroke. 

  • Fix Mechanical Issues
  • Complete Routine Maintenance
  • MPG Enhancing Upgrades

 

Shop Now Cummins 6.7L Tuning

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2 Things Your 2020-2021 Powerstroke Needs

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 19, 2022 4:00:00 PM / by Paul Wilson posted in Tuning for new diesel, Emissions Intact, 6.7L Powerstroke

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DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THE WRONG PARTS!

Your 6.7L Powerstroke is one of the most powerful diesel pickup engines ever produced. But that doesn't mean you're satisfied with the performance.  You know the truck can do more. That being said, you're not going to be building a race truck. You don't want to hack up your almost brand-new truck. This list is for the guys wanting a quiet, clean, safe level of performance. Enough to get the job done, but not so much you'll break parts every time you drive it. 

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Must Have Upgrades for Your 2013 - 2018 Cummins 6.7L!

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 13, 2021 10:40:16 AM / by Paul Wilson posted in Cummins, Best tuning for Cummins, Tuning for new Cummins, 2013 Cummins, Cummins Turbo, Cummins Diesel, 2015 Cummins, New Cummins, 2014 Cummins, Emissions Intact, new cummins tuning, 2016 Cummins, CME Cummins, 2017 Cummins, Cummins Tuning, Diesel Turbo Options Cummins

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Your 6.7L Cummins NEEDS an upgrade!

The  Ram 2500 and 3500 HD pickups with a Cummins 6.7L are made for towing.  You know that. We know that. Everyone knows that. However, a lot of guys are clueless when it comes to which upgrades are worth it and which ones are a total waste of money. 

WILL THESE BE THE RIGHT UPGRADES FOR YOU? 

This list is based on an assumed set of circumstances. You have a 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, or 2018 model year Ram 2500 or 3500 equipped with the Cummins 6.7L diesel engine. Your truck is completely stock (no modifications) or very near stock. You have not already deleted the emissions equipment or upgraded major performance components such as the turbocharger or high-pressure fuel system. 

Drivers that use their truck as a truck will find this list especially helpful. Towing, commuting, and getting it up and moving when you need it to have to be balanced with reliability and efficiency.  On the other hand, if you're looking to build a competition truck for sled pulling, drag racing or dyno competitions, our recommendations may drastically change. 

  • 2013-2018, Cummins 6.7L 
  • Stock or Near Stock Truck
  • Drive your truck regularly
  • 68RFE Automatic Transmission
  • Use truck for towing
  • NOT interested in building a race or competition truck
  • Cares about efficiency and reliability
  • Want superior drive-ability
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Failed Chevy Colorado 2.8L Duramax Turbo?

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 28, 2021 5:15:00 PM / by Paul Wilson posted in 2.8L

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How can you tell if your 2.8L turbo is failing? 

There are a handful of obvious symptoms that will tell you there has been a catastrophic failure.  However, that's not wildly helpful in preventing the issue, nor will it help prevent the problem from happening again.  What you really want to know about is the early warning signs.  You want to know about the early indicators of an issue and you need to understand why it happened. 

 

Obvious Symptoms of Complete Turbo Failure:

  • Visible damage to the inducer of the compressor wheel
  • No boost, absolute 0 psi.
  • Loud whine or screeching sound from the turbo 

Has your stock 2.8L Duramax Turbo already failed? WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT! 

TAKE 2.8L DURAMAX STOCK TURBO FAILURE SURVEY

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50 State Legal Custom Tuning by DuramaxTuner.com

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 17, 2021 11:49:00 AM / by Paul Wilson posted in Duramax Power, Tuning for new diesel, Delete, Emissions Intact

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50 State Legal Custom Diesel Tuning!

True custom tuning means you get the most out of your truck without sacrificing reliability. It's about dialing the truck in so the power comes on effortlessly and you can tow with ease. If you use your truck like an actual truck, you need a better throttle response and more power for getting the job done! 

Calibrated Power is proud to offer a wide range of 50 State Legal Custom Diesel Tuning. That means you can drive anywhere in the US and have total confidence that your truck is still legal.

GET 50 STATE LEGAL TUNING NOW

Do you need DuramaxTuner.com 50 State Legal Tuning?

  • Total flexibility to select the power level you need 
  • Designed to be safe for your engine and emissions equipment
  • Fully customized tuning with more than 100+ calibration changes from stock
  • No hacking wires into control units or fuel pump and turbo sensors
  • More power and less soot than box programmers
  • World Class Customer Service Phone Support!
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2020+ 6.7L Power Stroke Custom Tuning

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 25, 2021 11:30:00 AM / by Paul Wilson posted in 6.7L Powerstroke, Ford, Ford 6.7, Custom Ford Tuning, 2020, 2021

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Calibrated Power’s 2020+ Powerstroke Tuning Package includes the Engine and Transmission Tuning your truck needs! This is going to get rid of the factory dead pedal, safely give you more useable power, and dramatically improve your overall driving experience, all without having to delete or hack apart your emissions equipment. 

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How VVT/VGT Turbochargers Work on Your Diesel

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 24, 2021 9:30:00 AM / by Paul Wilson posted in Turbo, LB7 Turbo, LBZ Turbo, LML Turbo, Diesel Turbo Options Duramax, Duramax Turbo, LLY Turbo, VGT, VVT

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Turbocharging diesel engines is nothing new.  The most basic premise of a diesel engine is the more fuel and air you mix during compression, the more power you get. 

Types of turbocharger systems:
  • Wastegate Turbocharger
  • Fixed Vane Turbocharger
  • VVT/VGT Turbocharger
  • Compound Turbocharger 
  • Twin Turbocharger
  • Dual Scroll Turbocharger

NEED A NEW TURBO?

Between 1885 and 1916 a few patent applications were submitted for products that address the general concept of turbocharging, but it was in 1925 that Swiss Engineer Alfred Buchi put the first commercially available turbo on a 10 cylinder diesel engine.  Turbochargers use exhaust gas pressure to drive a Turbine Wheel that is connected to a Compressor Wheel. The compressor wheel forces cold air into your engine. You're using exhaust pressure to create boost pressure. 

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You've been BOOST-TESTING your diesel WRONG!

[fa icon="calendar'] May 29, 2021 3:34:00 PM / by Paul Wilson posted in Boost Leak, Boost, Boost Test, Stealth Boost Tester

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Boost Testing your diesel is essential!  Common symptoms of a boost leak include Increased Smoke, Higher EGTs, Excessive Lag, and Loss of Power.  Every truck that comes in our shop here at Calibrated Power, gets a boost test.   It seems about 85% of them have a boost leak when they show up.  Most of the time customers report still seeing peak boost on their gauges despite a boost leak. 

If you work with diesel trucks long enough, you’ll see leaks just about everywhere in the charged air system at one time or another. Remember, the charged air system includes anywhere from the turbocharger to the intake manifold. Your Intercooler system, Exhaust Gas Recirculation components, and even the Turbocharger compressor cover can all develop boost leaks.

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High EGTs? Bad MPGs? Excessive Smoke?

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 28, 2021 11:30:00 AM / by Paul Wilson posted in Boost Leak, Boost, Boost Test, Stealth Boost Tester

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Does your diesel have High EGTs, Excessive SMOKE, Increased Turbo Lag, and Less Power than it used to? Let’s talk about boost leaks.

Your truck needs air! Not a little bit of air. Your diesel engine needs all the incoming air it can get. Increasing air in the combustion process will help manager your Exhaust Gas Temperatures, Limit your smoke output, and increase your power.

This is why boost leaks kill diesel engines. Boost leaks can result in a smokey, laggy, dog-of-a-truck, which runs hot and burns fuel. Basically, the exact opposite of what you want from your diesel.

Boost leaks commonly occur in boots and clamps throughout the charged air system. That’s anywhere from the turbocharger to the combustion cylinder. Your intercooler system, Exhaust Gas Recirculation components, and even the turbocharger compressor cover can all develop boost leaks over time.

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Is your truck SMART?

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 3, 2020 10:00:00 AM / by Paul Wilson posted in Cummins Tuning, Powerstroke Tuning, Custom Ford Tuning, SMART

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Get SMART!

What are SMART Files? System Monitoring and Active Responsible Tuning.  That’s right, our calibrations not only add power they also monitor your engines’ activity and adjust appropriately to KEEP YOU SAFE. 

This cutting edge technology has been applied to all of DuramaxTuner.com and Calibrated Power Solutions tuning calibrations.  Developed from factory style algorithms and utilizing OEM sensors, this standard gives tuning customers the power they want and peace of mind they need to upgrade their vehicle.

SMART files available for:

  • 2001 - 2020 6.6L Duramax
  • 2016 - 2019 2.8L Duramax
  • 1998.5 - 2007 5.9L Cummins
  • 2007.5 - 2018 6.7L Cummins
  • 2013 - 2019 6.7L Power Stroke
  • 2018 - 2019 3.0L Power Stroke
  • 2011 - 2020 3.5L EcoBoost
  • 2015 - 2020 2.7L EcoBoost
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