No Duramax Reflashing Software? No Problem! | Derringer Inline Tuner [TECH TALK]

Tuning late-model ECUs is becoming increasingly difficult, but what if you could potentially gain up to 81 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque from your diesel engine on the fly with ease?

Where in the past multiple opens of standalone ECUs and reflash tuning software were often at hand for popular models, in modern times with communications systems between a vehicles control modules becoming increasingly complicated and insider knowledge harder to come by, things are changing.

At SEMA Chris Otani of Banks Power runs us through their take on an old technique which sees their Derringer Performance Tuner device making adjustments to the factory setup on the fly, rather than adjusting the OEM data within the ECU or replacing it altogether as is more commonly done now when compared to 20-30 years ago.

Before the Derringer inline tuner can make any adjustments, firstly data is needed and this is supplied to the unit via a Banks iDash 1.8 ‘DataMonster’ which plugs into the OBDII port and relays critical sensor information. From there the Derringer unit can intercept signals for fuel pressure and manifold pressure and trick the ECU into thinking values are lower than the reality, giving the engine more fuel and air (boost), which in turn of course translates into increased power and torque.

Other parameters including RPM, EGTs, transmission slip and the AFR are also monitored via the factory sensors to make sure the adjustments are done in such a way that won’t allow the ECU to trigger limp modes or do any damage. This gives users the peace of mind of more power with reliability no matter if they’re towing a heavy load or simply picking up the kids, the system is not going to over fuel or overheat etc.

Also explained is why the factory pulse width settings enable more fuel pressure to deliver more fuel with better atomisation, how the voltage is adjusted to control this and how systems like this are different from a ‘Piggyback’ module. The strategies the Derringer Inline Tuner can implement to avoid limp modes etc are touched on along with the dash features and options which do include an SD card slot for data logging purposes.

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