E-power programmer for 6.7 Cummins

[Sasquatch]

Hey, guys,

I have an appointment, Tuesday, to go to ATS in Arvada, CO and have some gauges installed on my 07.5 6.7 Turbodiesel.

They're about 2 hours from where I live, and they did a great job installing a beefed-up tranny and some other goodies on the '97 12-valve I traded two years ago.

I'm going to do the same 3-gauge install on my A-Pillar that I did on my '97.

Couple of questions: 1) My '07 has a handle built into the A-Pillar shroud, and I'm wondering if this handle has to "go-away" in order for the new ATS 3-pod install to be done. In the old Ram, they replaced the A-Pillar cover with a new one that had molded pods for the gauges; the new plastic cover was painted to match the factory colors inside the truck, and it was a neat installation. Has anybody else had this new-generation A-Pillar, gauge-kit install done, and -- if so -- did you lose the driver's-side A-Pillar handle?

2) I'm considering buying ATS' "programmer," the "E-power" that adjusts timing/fueling, etc.

There are probably a dozen similar products out there, including Bullydog, Quadzilla, Dr. Performance, Smarty, Edge, Superchips, and more. It's hard to know which one delivers the best performance and value.

My two reasons for buying the programmer are 1) fuel savings and 2) a little more low-end "oomph" for hauling my RV in these mountains. I will never use the "performance" settings (famous last words), but I'd appreciate the slight advancement in timing.

The ATS sales guy told me to expect 1.5-2.0 mpg improvement, with the "tow-setting," and that would be cost-effective. The price of diesel in the Roaring Fork Valley (near Aspen) was $3.59 last night. This has got to be one of the most expensive places in the US to buy fuel. I'm currently getting about 16 mpg in a rural driving situation, and not a whole lot better on interstate I-70 -- maybe 17 mpg if I'm luck, there's no headwind, and I keep the truck at around 60 mph.

I would appreciate any input from guys with programmers, especially anybody who knows about the ATS version, the "E-power."

The ATS salesman also told me that I wouldn't have to worry about clogging the DPF (I've never had a problem with my emissions, since I do very little "in-town" driving), as long as I stayed in the "Tow/Economy" setting. He also told me that the "E-power" leaves a smaller electronic "footprint" than most programmers, and that techs at my dealership would be less likely to tell that I'd done a download, although, "Anybody who's skilled enough, and looks closely enough, could see that you'd used one..."

I'm concerned about warranty issues, because I bought Chrysler's 100,000 mile extended warranty.

Thanks for all comments.