Is it best to buy direct from HPTuner or from a dealer/distributor?

[Mojo88]

I am about to purchase items to tune my truck - 2019 RAM 1500 5.7L. I had opened a 'support ticket' with HPTuners, and the tech guy sent me back an email saying; "After reviewing the information you have provided I recommend you purchase an MPVI3 Device, VCM Suite Software (Beta), 2 credits, a Dodge PCM upgrade service, and a Dodge 2018+ Smart Access cable."

So I went to try and call HPTuners to order this stuff..... BUT ..... they have NO PHONE NUMBER at all, even for sales. Which means (to me) they are trying to discourage direct sales, and they are pushing customers to a dealer/distributor? Am I right on this????

If so, can someone recommend (or otherwise direct me to) a solid, reputable dealer/distributor?

Many thanks

[2xLS1]

No IMO you are not right. HPT has never had a published phone number. It should be the same price so I would buy direct from HPT in case any problems arise.

[Mojo88]

Thanks for the feedback. I can totally understand them not having phone number for tuning help, they'd be on the phone 24/7/365. But no phone for SALES???? Honestly, I've bought lots and lots of stuff in my life, and NEVER, not once, did I see something like this, with no sales contact available.

I filled out a 'support ticket', asking them to call me so I can place an order.... still waiting for that call. When I filled out the support ticket, they didn't even have a category in the drop-down list for SALES or PLACING AN ORDER.

[gtstorey]

What is the call supposed to do? It's all available through the site. It does take a little digging.

You do realize you will be pretty much on your own for tuning other than forum advice?

[2xLS1]

It's 2025. Have you never just places an online order for anything?

[LilSick]

if you can figure out how to order a dongle online but somehow still require help tuning a dodge i am here for you brother!

[RDF1]

You might want to find someone that tunes those trucks and buy from them.
SOmetimes they will knock some price off the tune if you buy everything from them.

[LilSick]

you gotta buy $20k worth of dongles to get a break

[Mojo88]

What is the call supposed to do? It's all available through the site. It does take a little digging...

Yes, I get it. I order 99.9% of stuff online without ever calling anyone. But the pieces and services I need are not all that obvious. For instance, I want to buy a new unlocked upgraded PCM, so how does that process work? I'm sure a sales guy could explain it in 15 seconds, but I don't want to try and figure it out on my own, because I just know I will miss something.

.....You do realize you will be pretty much on your own for tuning other than forum advice?

Absolutely, I'm 100% OK with this.

[Mojo88]

You might want to find someone that tunes those trucks and buy from them.
SOmetimes they will knock some price off the tune if you buy everything from them.

Yes, thanks. This is what I am now considering............................

[Bill@HPTuners]

Thanks for the feedback. I can totally understand them not having phone number for tuning help, they'd be on the phone 24/7/365. But no phone for SALES???? Honestly, I've bought lots and lots of stuff in my life, and NEVER, not once, did I see something like this, with no sales contact available.

I filled out a 'support ticket', asking them to call me so I can place an order.... still waiting for that call. When I filled out the support ticket, they didn't even have a category in the drop-down list for SALES or PLACING AN ORDER.

We do not take sales over the phone, product orders can only be placed online. Its been like this since day one(20 years).

[Bill@HPTuners]

Yes, I get it. I order 99.9% of stuff online without ever calling anyone. But the pieces and services I need are not all that obvious. For instance, I want to buy a new unlocked upgraded PCM, so how does that process work? I'm sure a sales guy could explain it in 15 seconds, but I don't want to try and figure it out on my own, because I just know I will miss something.

You would need to purchase the MPVI3, credits & smart access cable first

install the smart access cable & read the stock ecm, then order the dodge ecm and upload the stock file on the order page so that we can clone the ecm.

https://www.hptuners.com/product/dodge-pcm-services/

[Mojo88]

You would need to purchase the MPVI3, credits & smart access cable first

install the smart access cable & read the stock ecm, then order the dodge ecm and upload the stock file on the order page so that we can clone the ecm.

https://www.hptuners.com/product/dodge-pcm-services/

Hey, thanks Bill! I've been studying that page for the past two days. I see lots of info on the 'Upgrade' service, but not much info on the 'Purchase'. I would be using the 'Purchase' option to buy a brand new Dodge PCM from you guys, cloned with my existing data. I was assuming the process was as you described, but I don't want to make a mistake.

I would want both ECM data and TCM data cloned onto the new Dodge PCM. You only mention the ECM data... what about TCM data? Do I need to copy/save them as two separate files, and then forward them with my PCM order..... or would all that data (ECM & TCM) automatically be captured in one file?

Also, please confirm how many credits I would need to buy: 2019 RAM 1500 DT (5th Gen) 5.7L without eTorque. I would want ability to modify ECM and TCM. Someone said 6 credits, your web page says 2, but that may be just for ECM access.

Many thanks!!! Dave F.

[Bill@HPTuners]

ECM(engine control module) store engine control module data only
TCM(transmission control module) stores Transmission control module data only


Regarding credits a quick look on our supported vehicle list https://www.hptuners.com/vehicles/ shows its 2 credits for your vehicles ecm. The TCM(I assume ZF8) requires additional credits if you want to tune that as well.

[Mojo88]

ECM(engine control module) store engine control module data only
TCM(transmission control module) stores Transmission control module data only


Regarding credits a quick look on our supported vehicle list https://www.hptuners.com/vehicles/ shows its 2 credits for your vehicles ecm. The TCM(I assume ZF8) requires additional credits if you want to tune that as well.

As far as I understand, the Dodge PCM from this page https://www.hptuners.com/product/dodge-pcm-services/ will control both the ECM and the TCM. Is that correct?

So when I do the 'Purchase' option for one of your new Dodge PCM's, I would be sending in two files, captured from my existing PCM (using your software, MPVI3 & smart access cable) - one for the ECM and one for the TCM? Or would all data (ECM and TCM) be captured into one file?

Thanks

[LilSick]

As far as I understand, the Dodge PCM from this page https://www.hptuners.com/product/dodge-pcm-services/ will control both the ECM and the TCM. Is that correct?

no

dodge transmissions have had their own controllers for about 15 years

[Bill@HPTuners]

Again, The TCM(I assume ZF8) requires additional credits if you want to tune that as well.

As far as the file goes, it depends on what you tell the software to do. The software will automatically try to read all controllers if you don't specify to only read 1. Keep in mind some vehicles can have 3 controllers that we can read, edit, flash. You, the end user, choose what you want to read.

[Mojo88]

no

dodge transmissions have had their own controllers for about 15 years

In the pic below, taken from this page https://www.hptuners.com/articles/ve...vs-pcm-vs-tcm/ , in the 3rd paragraph, they say that "Most Dodge vehicles are equipped with PCMs that manage the engine and transmission."

So what am I missing????? Thanks

PCM Info from HPT.jpg

[LilSick]

if you read it all it clearly states that dodge often uses the acronym pcm for what is actually the ecm

so its 2 credits for the engine control module (what dodge calls their pcm) and another 4 for the trans (tcm)


*the pcm does not control the trans on your truck. the tcm will however control your engine : )

[Mojo88]

if you read it all it clearly states that dodge often uses the acronym pcm for what is actually the ecm
so its 2 credits for the engine control module (what dodge calls their pcm) and another 4 for the trans (tcm)
*the pcm does not control the trans on your truck. the tcm will however control your engine : )

Ah, yes, I see now where the 6 credits come from, thanks. I think your last sentence there is mistaken though, either that, or I am completely confused now, lol.

But the middle paragraph, second sentence states clearly: "But a PCM manages all the same systems that a TCM and ECM manage."

In other words, if I purchase the Dodge PCM, I will be able modify/tune the ECM (engine) and TCM (transmission).