If you’re in the market for a tuner for your 6.7L Cummins - it won’t come as a surprise to you that there are countless different options available for the 6.7L. We decided pull together some information to help you decide what’s right for your truck, and tell you what we use at the shop and why we use it.
What's the Difference?
At their core, most of the tuners on the market are essentially quite similar, the tuner rewrites your ECM to run at different parameters while driving. You can either purchase a box tuner that is preloaded with multiple tuning files (aka Canned Tune), or custom tune files. Every company that produces these tunes is competing to achieve the same thing: Maximum Power, Fuel Mileage, and Drivability. Typically, to achieve these results, each tuner will adjust the fuel timing, boost levels, and the amount of fuel injection.
This isn’t something they take lightly either - there is a ton of research, development, and testing that every tuning company will spend countless hours perfecting before the tune ever reaches the public market. Even after the tune is perfected and available for purchase there will be constant updates, tweaks and changes to the tune as technology changes; and glitches and bugs are found. As of the last few years, most companies are shooting for smoke-free high-efficiency horsepower without blowing everyone’s engines and transmissions to pieces.
The four big tuners we use at the shop are EZ-Lynk, MM3, EFI Live, and HP Tuners. Each one comes empty and requires you to pair it with a custom tuning company of your choice, we use these because they tend to be much more refined than a canned tune package that comes with a generic tune off the shelf. You’ll find custom tuning offers better driveability, more efficient power, and endless adjustability for when you decide to upgrade your turbo, install bigger injectors or get a built transmission.
A Bigger Turbo is Always a Good Idea.
Data Logging - Diagnosis Made Easy.
A crucial, and often overlooked aspect of tuning with an EZ-Lynk, HP Tuners, EFI-Live, or MM3 Device for your 6.7L Cummins is that it unlocks a wealth of data through data-logging. If you notice your Ram is acting weird under certain conditions, you can use any one of the tuners to data-log your truck: essentially pulling the raw data of what your truck is doing and sending that to your custom tuner (person not device). They can view your data and see what the truck is doing and send you tune adjustments, or accurately recommend the next steps you should take to solve these issues. Whether it's a tweak in the tuning, or a recommendation for new parts, they will be able to point you in the right direction. If you've ever had sporadic issues with your truck, then you'll understand how much of a life saver this can be.
Will it work on Multiple Trucks?
The EFI-Live, HP Tuners, MM3, and EZ-Lynk all come with the ability to tune multiple trucks off of one device. The tunes themselves will be locked to your VIN, but the tuner can be used to tune your new truck, your friends truck, or anyone else's. You'll just need new tune files, and a VIN License (depending on the tuner, but included in most tune packs). That way if you sell your truck and keep the device, you can use it to tune your new truck and save some cash on the next round of tuning.
EFI Live Autocal V3
EFI Live is a fantastic custom tuning platform, however, the Autocal or Flashscan device that you use to load tuning does not come with any type of display to monitor your truck with. It simply allows you to take a stock truck and flash the ECM with new tune files, it’s a great option for those that are just looking for a delete tune, tow tune, or a few different power options to increase the drivability. EFI Live can be combined with a switch to offer 5 different power levels for the 2008-2012 Cummins and 4 power levels for the 13-21+ Cummins.
You can also add an Edge CTS3 Monitor if you want to keep track of your EGTs, boost, etc. We use EFI Live every day in-house as it’s a very affordable way for us to flash a customers truck with top-of-the-line custom tuning.
EFI-Live Highlights
Best on a Budget
The EFI-Live generally comes in at the lowest price point on the market, if you're looking for a quick tune, and you're not interested in all the bells and whistles, the EFI-Live is for you.
Data-Logging
The AutoCal gives you some of the most powerful data-logging on the market. Allowing you to diagnose your truck with your tuner much easier.
EFI-Live Pitfalls
No Display
If you're looking to monitor your EGT's, Boost, or anything else, you'll need an additional monitor or another tuner. The EFI-Live has no built-in monitor, however, you always have the option of adding a CTS3 to monitor your truck.
Manual Updates
New Tunes & Updates must be downloaded via email, then loaded onto your Autocal, then flashed into your truck via OBDII. This can be more time consuming than other tuners.
HP Tuners MPVI3
The HP Tuners MPVI Device is another great option that allows you to flash custom tuning onto your 6.7L. When compared to the EFI Live Autocal, these devices share many similar features such as the ability to read and write ECU (Engine Control Unit) and TCM (Transmission Control Module) data. Like the autocal, this device does not have a display, so it really boils down to preference on which device to purchase.
MPVI Highlights
Competitive Pricing
Like the EFI Live Autocal, the MPVI3 is competitively priced to be the lowest price point on the market. This makes it a great option if you aren't wanting anything fancy and are looking for a tune.
TCM tuning On Early 68RFE (2007.5-2009)
A huge benefit that the MPVI3 device offers over others is the ability to apply transmission tuning on the early 68RFEs (2007.5-2009).
MPVI3 Pitfalls
Laptop Required
You must have a laptop in order to be able to apply this custom tuning. Unlike the EFI Live Autocal that can come preloaded, you will require a laptop in order to be able to upload the tuning onto your truck.
Stock Read
In order for us have the tunes written, you must first send us a Stock Read File. This file provides the information required for the custom tuning file.
No Display
If you're looking to monitor your EGT's, Boost, or anything else, you'll need an additional monitor or another tuner. The EFI-Live has no built-in monitor, however, you always have the option of adding a CTS3 to monitor your truck.
MM3
The MM3 Tuner is an incredible interface between you and your ECM and acts as a customizable display to monitor your truck. The MM3 gives you the option of real-time tuning where you can change parameters while the truck is running and shift on the fly power levels are available directly through the display and no additional switch is required. Once you purchase your MM3 you’ll need to plug it into your truck to read to the stock ECM file, that file is then emailed to the tuner of your choice and modified from there. We then send you the tune file back for you to load onto the SD card and you’re ready to flash your truck! The main dashboard of the MM3 is a great monitor for watching your ECM parameters and can be paired with a pyrometer add-on to watch your Exhaust Gas Temps (EGT’s).
MM3 Highlights
Built-In Display
The MM3 comes with a built in screen you can use to keep track of your ECM parameters and other information.
Real Time Tuning
With the MM3 you can change parameters and switch power levels while the truck is running rather than having to either buy a 'switch on the fly' switch (EFI Live, HP Tuners) or use your cellphone (EZ Lynk).
MM3 Pitfalls
Labor Intensive Process
Similar to the MPVI3, tuning with the MM3 is a more cumbersome, labor intensive process. You need a window's laptop and if you want to tune additional trucks you will need a VIN License.
EZ-Lynk
The EZ-Lynk platform is the latest device to hit the market and offers Cloud Based Tuning where you build an account and are linked directly to the tuning company of your choice. You download an app on your phone (iOS or Android), then connect to the EZ-Lynk through Wifi. The EZ-Lynk app will allow you to access your tuners complete library of tune files available for your truck, you simply download the file you want off the cloud and load it into your truck very quickly from your phone. Once your truck is tuned, you can head back to the dashboard in the app and use your device to monitor or datalog.
The EZ-Lynk will require a secondary switch to use the Driver Selectable Tuning options which allow you to switch between tune files on the go.
One of our favorite features of the EZ-Lynk app is the integrated chat feature. It allows you to hit a button and contact your tuning company or technician right through the app. This allows you to update your tunes, send diagnostics, or share data-logs without having to make a phone call, book an appointment, or send an email. If you’re traveling and your truck starts to act up, your tuner can see the issue, read your data-logs, and send an update to you from anywhere. Similarly, whenever they release an update for your truck, you’ll get a notification on your device and the new tune will be available for download.
Flashing is easy as pulling out your phone and choosing your new tune.
For you 2010+ guys with the 68RFE automatic transmission, an additional transmission tuning upgrade can be purchased along with your ECM tuning. This involves increasing your line pressure for crisper shifts, better torque converter lockup control, and less gear hunting. This not only significantly increases the driveability, but it also will increase the life of this feared transmission. We always will highly recommend the transmission tuning on the 2010+ Cummins as it is well worth the money to give you the peace of mind knowing your transmission is safe.
EZ Lynk Highlights
Easy To Use
This is by far the easiest tuner to flash your truck with. Connect your smart phone to the truck, select your tune, flash and you are good to go.
Phone User Interface
You can keep track of parameters, data logging and connect directly to your tuning provider all from your smart phone.
EZ Lynk Pitfalls
Cloud Based Tuning
The EZ Lynk operates with cloud based tuning so the app can be glitchy on the rare occasion.
Conclusion
Whether you choose and EZ-Lynk, MM3, or EFI Live they all work great and offer what we have found to be the best tuning options for the 6.7L Cummins platform. When combined with amazing companies like CCS, AMDP, and Proven Diesel you get the best device paired with the best tuning on the market.
We know, there are hundreds of tuning companies, tuning platforms, and tuning options for your truck on the market at any given point and I’m sure they’re probably great, however, we tend to stick to EFI Live, EZ-Lynk, and MM3 with either AMDP, Proven Diesel, or CCS tuning. We do this because at Dirty we only sell what we know, what we’ve tried, and what we use on our personal trucks. We have built a relationship and trust these guys so we feel confident standing behind their products. Simple as that.
I hope this answered some questions about all the options available for tuning your 6.7L Cummins. If not, reach out and ask away. We’re always here to help.
