Why is lugging the engine bad?

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EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
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But with a good tune on it the fuel is there to prevent the higher boost pressures from leaning out the cylinders and burning pistons...

On a stock (to lightly modified) truck that's just not true. A canned tune (one which is premade for an entire model of truck) puts in extra fuel to keep from going lean and burning out pistons, since every truck is a bit different. A custom tuned truck should smoke very little when done right, since fuel converted into black smoke is fuel wasted. Once you start doing turbo swaps and such it's a whole different ball game though.
 

Bartman39

Elite Member | For Sale/Trade
Jul 4, 2000
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Sorry but even with EFI live you tune it where it does not put extra fuel your begging for trouble... I agree every day run of mill tuners do it for safety but there is a reason the fuel we burn today is so dry you just cant do it like that... Been there done that and its expensive to say the least... (was running 44psi boost)


Also with what your saying its back to heavy modded trucks and NONE of them I`ve seen or been around ever run clean... They always put the fuel to them even under high boost, better to waste it and not cook pistons... Seen a bunch of the newer Dodges try this and DIE...!

Heck even the Spartan tuned Fords which IMPO is the best tunes out there for Fords make plenty of smoke no matter what level...
 
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Turin39789

Lifer
Nov 21, 2000
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Guess this is where I should step in...? I own a diesel a Duramax and with no tune on it (stock) there is very little smoke because its choked down with a fuel curve that sucks... But with a good tune on it the fuel is there to prevent the higher boost pressures from leaning out the cylinders and burning pistons... It may smoke quite a bit from the start but the boost builds and it cleans up and is gone... I dont make but around 400HP with mine but there are guys that make tons more and yep they smoke like crazy... As for trucks not smoking its mainly due to the frick`in EPA and by manufacturers that want to promote their trucks as clean diesels for the public...

As for anybody saying I`m not allowed to make smoke well just fall in behind and find out if you can stop me... I dont smoke people out just for the fun of it though I do it only when someone is being an asshat and thinks my back bumper is a wind brake and yes I can make cars and headlights disappear day or night... BTW I`m not a kid at 50 but do have a truck that weighs a bit over 3 tons and turns a 14 second 1/4 mile but will drive anywhere and get 18-19mpg and tow 15,000+lbs (and still get 10-12mpg)...



Your full of it...

And this is why you see diesel pick up trucks smoking. It's fun to smoke people out, but they only do it to the bad people. Also that damn epa is keeping them from having fun and getting a little extra power at the small cost of some extra carbon.

I just googled "diesel smoke tune" to see what the effects are of a tune that smokes, and hey that is what these guys actually call them. They go looking for a good "smoke tune"!
 

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
5,122
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Sorry but even with EFI live you tune it where it does not put extra fuel your begging for trouble... I agree every day run of mill tuners do it for safety but there is a reason the fuel we burn today is so dry you just cant do it like that... Been there done that and its expensive to say the least...

I do tuning with HPT on LMMs, and I'm not saying you don't need more fuel, I'm just saying that the amount of fuel you need is below the threshold for blowing smoke on an average truck. Extra of fuel at the very bottom can help with spool, but it shouldn't be "billowing" on most normal applications. Once you're in motion, you should be balanced right on the edge of the smoke/no smoke threshold and should only every once and awhile see a "wisp."

High smoke levels means that you are wasting unburnt fuel, filling the motor with carbon deposits, and increasing your EGTs. Smokey tunes are for showing off, not making power efficiently.
 
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Bartman39

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Jul 4, 2000
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I do tuning with HPT on LMMs, and I'm not saying you don't need more fuel, I'm just saying that the amount of fuel you need is below the threshold for blowing smoke on an average truck. Extra of fuel at the very bottom can help with spool, but it shouldn't be "billowing" on most normal applications. Once you're in motion, you should be balanced right on the edge of the smoke/no smoke threshold and should only every once and awhile see a "wisp."

High smoke levels means that you are wasting unburnt fuel, filling the motor with carbon deposits, and increasing your EGTs. Smokey tunes are for showing off, not making power efficiently.


Almost sounds like we are meeting somewhere in the middle on this...? I agree about the "billowing" is not needed but in your early post you basicly were saying NO smoke...? This got my attention real quick... But now with what your saying makes more sense that once your spooled up then yes it should clean up but from down low grunt you had better have that extra hit of fuel it does make the spool up happen and quick too... The whole problem with smoke and a diesel as you know is turbo lag and a stock turbo is the worst case of it... I run a modded VVT and love it with the intake modds and other tid bits mine is much more responsive that a stock truck no doubt... BTW the pyrometer is your best friend...:thumbsup:

crazySOB297... who do you work for...? PM me if you dont want it public...?
 

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
5,122
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Almost sounds like we are meeting somewhere in the middle on this...? I agree about the "billowing" is not needed but in your early post you basicly were saying NO smoke...? This got my attention real quick... But now with what your saying makes more sense that once your spooled up then yes it should clean up but from down low grunt you had better have that extra hit of fuel it does make the spool up happen and quick too... The whole problem with smoke and a diesel as you know is turbo lag and a stock turbo is the worst case of it... I run a modded VVT and love it with the intake modds and other tid bits mine is much more responsive that a stock truck no doubt... BTW the pyrometer is your best friend...:thumbsup:

crazySOB297... who do you work for...? PM me if you dont want it public...?

Haha, for me it's a hobby not a job. I make a few bucks here and there but for the most part I do it just to learn.

If you're standing on the throttle on the highway and blowing smoke in a semi-stock diesel truck, you're doing it wrong. If you're coming from a dead stop or just now gunning it, and get a second or so of puff as the turbo hits, that's fine. I still think most tuners overdo it a little bit purposely for show.

I didn't mean to take an all or nothing approach, I just get annoyed with fucktards on the highway going WOT for 20 seconds all the while looking like there's tires burning in their truck bed when it gives them little to no benefit for power.
 

Bartman39

Elite Member | For Sale/Trade
Jul 4, 2000
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Hobby not a job...? Yep for fun no doubt...;) Have you had a chance to check out EFI live...? Nothing and I mean nothing even compares... I`ve played with some of those trucks that try to act all big and bad like they have the need to cause cancer but most are all show and very little go but sure try... The track breaks everyone`s heart:biggrin:

BTW the LMM`s are nice but I really want an LBZ but the my daughter is at the age where higher learning is kicking in so daddy`s toys are somewhat limited...:( I`ll stick with my LLY its paid for...:thumbsup:
 

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
5,122
52
91
Hobby not a job...? Yep for fun no doubt...;) Have you had a chance to check out EFI live...? Nothing and I mean nothing even compares... I`ve played with some of those trucks that try to act all big and bad like they have the need to cause cancer but most are all show and very little go but sure try... The track breaks everyone`s heart:biggrin:

BTW the LMM`s are nice but I really want an LBZ but the my daughter is at the age where higher learning is kicking in so daddy`s toys are somewhat limited...:( I`ll stick with my LLY its paid for...:thumbsup:

I've played with EFI Live but it doesn't support my normal application (Ecotec LNF), so I went with the only package that does. LMMs seem to be the only things I run into that want a tune from me, so I do what I can :p
 

Bartman39

Elite Member | For Sale/Trade
Jul 4, 2000
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I've played with EFI Live but it doesn't support my normal application (Ecotec LNF), so I went with the only package that does. LMMs seem to be the only things I run into that want a tune from me, so I do what I can :p


To continue a bit yea it only supports GM for now but will say they are black box testing with Ford and Cummings and for those that dont know all US made diesels now have high pressure common rail systems (of their own respective design) and the DPF crap and GM & Ford use DEF but as far as I know Cummings is not just yet but they are lagging behind on power from GM & Ford in the stock trucks...