Getting a Diesel Truck Ready for an ECU Upgrade

Upgrading a truck's engine control unit software, or ECU, often proves to be a straightforward way to extract more performance with few downsides. With some programs enabling gains of 60 horsepower or more, this often proves to be an especially affordable way to make a given truck more capable.

On the other hand, going too far can also be dangerous. Most trucks are designed to stand up to only a certain amount of horsepower in the normal course of their duties, so upping these figures too far can cause problems. When considering an upgraded ECU like those offered by sct tuners, it will often be wise to take this fact into consideration.

A Simple, Comprehensive Way to Prepare a Truck for an ECU Upgrade

Fortunately, there are also products and packages that make it easy to account for this reality. Companies like Bulletproof Diesel, for instance, offer upgrade systems that include a number of components designed to allow trucks to remain reliable once a more aggressive ECU has been installed. In many cases, these packages will include upgraded parts such as:


Oil cooler. Oil that gets too hot does a poor job of lubricating, and can even start to congeal and burn off in certain cases. The stock coolers that most trucks are equipped with from the factory might do a reasonable job of preventing such problems under normal conditions, but can easily fail when the stakes and stress levels are raised. An upgraded oil cooler will both keep temperatures from rising overly high and prevent common problems like bypassing of the filtration system. That can be exactly what a truck needs to make the most of an upgraded ECU without suffering from the added power.

EGR chiller. The exhaust gas recycling (EGR) recycling systems that all modern, diesel trucks are equipped with perform a crucial function. While they cut down on the emissions that would otherwise emerge as a result of the diesel combustion cycle, they can become points of weakness, as well. When power levels rise significantly, an upgraded EGR cooler will often be advisable.

More Power and Confidence

Many truck owners who are considering ECU upgrades would do well to look into options like these. Having such a package installed can make ensuing problems a lot less likely.

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