Are you a Dodge RAM 2500/3500 owner fitted with a 5.9L Cummins engine and looking to enhance its performance? While there are several tuners available, only the top-quality tuners for 5.9L Cummins can deliver a significant improvement.
With the best tuner for your 5.9L Cummins engine, you can get more horsepower, torque, and mileage per gallon. Some tuners can also double up as OBD2 diagnostics tools and engine performance parameter monitors.
This post is about a detailed review of the best tuners for Dodge RAM 2500/3500 equipped with a 5.9L Cummins engine. Read on to find your preferred product.
Best Tuners For 5.9 Cummins: Comparison Chart
| Power and performance optimization | MPG enhancement | Display Monitor | Read and clear DTC codes | Acceleration improvement | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smarty Tuners SJ-06 | Up to 100 additional hp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Price |
| ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner | 30 HP/40 ft.-lbs. for gas and 80 HP/150 ft.-lbs. diesel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Price |
| Monte Tuner - Monte GTR | Up to +25% HP | Up to +18 MPG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Price |
| Smarty Tuners TOUCH | Up to 210 additional HP on 5.9L 2003-2007 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Price |
| Precision Parts Edge Products 85400-300 CTS3 Tuner | Up to 175 HP and 470 lb-ft Torque | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check Price |
Readmore: What is a Tuner and What Does a Tuner Do?
Best Tuners For 5.9 Cummins Review
Smarty Tuners SJ-06
Smarty Tuners SJ-06 is the best tuner for 2003-2007 Dodge RAM Cummins 5.9L. With it, you can get more horsepower in different settings. You can set it to get you a 40 hp increase, 70 hp increase, or 100 hp increase. Besides, this tuner gives you a better throttle response.
Smarty Tuners SJ-06 calibrates ABS or speedometer. You can lock it to your truck to adjust tire height to 44 inches at a 10th of an inch per increment. It also boasts higher ECM updating speeds than most of the tuners in the market.
Smarty Tuners SJ-06 is an easy to install tuner that allows you to read and clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). It can also erase ABS codes, though you will not see them as they are not displayed.
Pros
- Improves fuel economy and optimizes drivability
- Updates ABS tire height from 22.5 inches to 44 inches
- Reads and clears DTCs
- Easy to install – no fuses or additional tools required
- Has programmable parameter for fine-tuning
- Three different performance levels for horsepower improvement
Cons
- Small monochrome display
- Overly simple interface
Final Verdict
Smarty Tuners SJ-06 is a simple but effective tuner with tuning capabilities of high-end tuners. If you want more horsepower and fuel economy from your 5.9L Cummins engine, Smarty Tuners SJ-06 is a pocket-friendly option. It can also read and clear DTCs and erase ABS codes.
Smarty Tuners SJ-06
ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner
ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner is a handheld product certified for use in 50 States. The tool is compatible with 2004-2007 Dodge RAM 2500/3500. If you own a 5.9L Cummins, this tuner will help you get up to 80 more horsepower and 150 ft-lbs of torque from your diesel engine.
This programmer is equipped with a high-definition 2.8-inch color display screen, more memory, and a faster processor. These features make it a top performer. You will quickly update the software and tune your vehicle quite easily.
This Tuner allows you to control the Active Fuel Management system (AFM). With that, you get better acceleration and a quieter ride even when up a steep slope. Additionally, this tuner can read and clear DTCs, adjust tire size, adjust gear ratio, and adjust shift points and firmness.
Pros
- Increases horsepower and improves fuel economy
- Calibrate speedometer
- Reads and clears DTCs
- Easy to update over the internet
- Active fuel management control
- Axle gear ratio, speed and rev limiter, and tire size adjustments
Cons
- May trigger error codes
- Relatively small screen
Final Verdict
ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner is a reliable tuner that can perform engine tuning across the entire RPM range. If you own a 5.9L Cummins, this is the device you need for more power and fuel mileage. It can also calibrate speedometer and aftermarket tires, adjust shift points, read and clear DTCs, and perform many other functions.
ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner
Readmore: Dyno Tuning And Why You Need It?
Monte Tuner – Monte GTR
Monte GTR tuner boasts high compatibility with many vehicles. Currently, over 9,000 makes and models, including the following Dodge Ram models:
2003-2010 5.9L RAM 2500
2003-2007 5.9L RAM 3500
Also, it is easy to update the tool on your PC to get more power from the latest models.
Monte GTR helps you to optimize your vehicle’s performance. If you want to get a better ride from your 5.9L Cummins, this may be the best tuner to choose. You can get increased horsepower and torque of about 15-25% and up to 18% fuel economy. The Monte GTR is designed to boost your vehicle’s performance.
Monte GTR is more than just a tuner. It is a multifunctional tool that can read and clear DTCs and monitor engine performance in real-time. In addition, Monte GTR accurately measures torque, speed, acceleration, and others and displays them on a heads-up screen.
With Monte GTR, you can choose your optimal driving mode. It comes with up to 6 driving modes: 2 for races, 2 for eco, and 2 mixes. You will find the best that can meet your driving conditions of applications.
Lastly, Monte GTR functions as an OBD2 scanner. It can read, display, and clear diagnostic trouble codes such as check engine lights.
Pros
- Reads, displays, and clears DTCs
- Improves horsepower, torque, and fuel economy
- Doubles as a monitoring device for engine performance parameters
- Compact device
- Easy to install
Cons
- Does not set or removal speed limiter
Final Verdict
Monte GTR is for both professional mechanics and individual car owners. The tuner increases horsepower and torque to about 15-25% of the original value. You also get up to 18% extra mileage per gallon. This multifunctional tuner will help you optimize the performance of your 5.9L Cummins or other models.
Monte Tuner – Monte GTR
Smarty Tuners TOUCH
Smarty Tuners TOUCH gives you up to 210 additional horsepower on 2003-2007 RAM 2500/3500 on the maximum rating. And you can also choose from other options, depending on your application.
Smarty Tuners TOUCH features a massive 4.3-inch color display screen and twin microprocessor. These features make it one of the fastest tuners in the market that has a start-up time of just 4 seconds. You will enjoy a fluid experience regarding response. Software installation and update take the shortest time possible.
Smarty Tuners TOUCH has an additional feature that makes tuning easy. It features a programmable speed limiter from 25 to 250 miles per hour and supports MicroSD if you want to store customized tunes. Apart from customizable tuning, you can also choose from the 10 power level settings the tool has.
Pros
- Internet updatable
- Improved performance
- Up to 10 different power levels
- Has speed limiter option
- Reads and clears DTCs
- High-quality touch color display screen
Cons
- Not compatible with some trucks
- Relatively expensive
Final Verdict
Smarty Tuners TOUCH is the best option for both professional mechanics and DIYers. If you are looking for speed, reliability, and better drivability, this is the tuner for you. It has every feature you would expect in an advanced scanner of its caliber.
Smarty Tuners TOUCH
Precision Parts Edge Products 85400-300 CTS3 Tuner
The next-generation Edge 85400-300 CTS3 Tuner is designed for 2003-2010 RAM 2500 and 2003-2007 RAM 3500 using 5.9L Cummins. It features a new, full-color 5-inch capacitive touch screen for displaying different performance parameters. The updated user interface, faster processor, and Wi-Fi update capability of this new version make it stand out.
This 3rd generation Edge tuner also doubles as a monitoring device with its state-of-the-art, multi-gauge display. It is faster, more capable, and designed for different applications. Whether you want more power for towing, daily driving, performance, or extreme, you just select what matches your application. You can tune your engine to get an additional 175 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.
Edge 85400-300 CTS3 Tuner has highly customizable gauges and backgrounds, fast boot time, and swipe capability. You can easily switch between screens as applicable by just swiping across the display. Other worth-mentioning features include an in-built performance meter that measures 0-60 ¼ mile times and a data logger with export compatibility. You can also use the same tuner to tune different vehicles by adding more licenses.
Pros
- Saves factory settings
- Plug and play – simple installation into OBD2 port
- Built-in performance meter
- Monitors key vehicle performance parameters
- Different power levels for driving, towing, performance, and extreme
- Reads and clears DTCs
- Wi-Fi updatable
Cons
- Pricey
Final Verdict
Edge 85400-300 CTS3 Tuner is the most advanced device on our list for professional mechanics and advanced DIYers. If your budget allows, it is what you should buy. It has excellent features, benefits, and extended coverage from the CTS2. You can tune your vehicle, monitor live performance parameters, and perform OBD2 diagnostics.
Precision Parts Edge Products 85400-300 CTS3 Tuner
Recommendation
The tubers presented on this list can give you more horsepower, torque, and miles per gallon. However, the performance and additional features vary. If you are short on budget, you can consider the ACCEL 49505 SuperTuner. It is affordable but has as many functions as possible.
The ultimate tuner for 5.9L Cummins is Edge 85400-300 CTS3. It is a 3-in-1 tool that allows you to tune your vehicle, perform OBD2 diagnostics, and monitor engine performance parameters. It is the best choice for both professional mechanics and DIYers. However, it is also the most expensive.
Readmore: How to Install a Performance Chip or Tuner: Step-by-Step Tutorials
FAQs:
Are performance chips easy to install?
Yes. You don’t need any expertise to install performance chips. Many people can complete the task in under 30 minutes, thanks to the upgrades in technology. You no longer need to reset the ECU.
Do performance chips hurt your engine?
No. Performance chips safely increase torque and horsepower output without hurting your engine or transmission. The performance improvement is due to some adjustments in air-fuel ratio and ignition timing.
Will a tuner increase mpg?
Yes. A tuner adjusts air-fuel ratio and ignition timing, making your engine run more efficiently. It maximizes energy output from every fuel drop.
