Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) CaTCHER/Comp stack combo for economy?

[Gary - K7GLD]

A short while back, I obtained one of the CaTCHER ECM's - the predecessor to the current Smarty. I was actually only interested in the basic ECM itself, since with the Comp, I really didn't want or need the CaTCHER programming it contained.



In preparation for a dyno event to be held in Boise in several weeks, I have the CaTCHER ECM installed on my truck, so I can arrange with a Smarty owner there to unload the CaTCHER programming in my ECM, and return it to stock.



In order to use the CaTCHER ECM here around town, with my other power mods, I have been also running my Comp - but set on it's 1x1 setting to DEfuel what the CaTCHER ECM is programmed to deliver - I have to do this to minimize smoke - just as I did while I had a Smarty of my own.



SO, here's the point of all this:



I'm wondering if anyone else in the past has run the CaTCHER/Comp pair down on the lowest Comp setting as I am doing - because it so far SEEMS that I'm getting some unusually high MPG with this combo, set as I have it. My fuel PSI is up by 2 PSI - sort of an indication of lower VP-44 fuel demand - and both EGT and boost pressure are down a bit as well when driving the truck empty and not towing. I'm thinking this setup is advancing the overall injection timing to the engine, while also reducing the actual volume of fuel delivered below even stock values - sorta like a Smarty on it's "economy" setting.



At present, this, if true, is about the only practical benefit to my specific use of this setup, since the combo really otherwise don't play well together on the Comp's higher ranges due to excessive timing and fuel delivery. BUT, if I *am* ending up with any significant MPG improvement, even with the other limitations, it might be worth playing with for a while.



Anyone else done this, and seen what I think I might be experiencing?

 

[gtwitch]

VP-44 question

Gary I hate to beat a dead horse (Dodge) My 99 keeps having the dead pedal problem but I keep getting home but don"t know how much longer this will go on. This only happened once last winter, and when the winter was dwinding down and warm day, however since summer has come here in wyoming which will only last for another two weeks, this dead pedal syndrome is a regular problem, especially on 75 and higher degree days. Since i can't see the codes Oddometer Style on my 99, I had the codes read at the Dodge store here in Laramie and O216 was the only code that it threw a month ago and I have not had the code/s read since. I have done nothing, but am fixing to start with the APPS connectors. What say you???



gtwitch in Laramie K7NOI

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Seems like 99 times out of a hundred, the 216 code ends up being the VP-44 - but it's always a good idea to try the easy and cheap "fixes" first - starting with grounds, connectors and such. On rare occasions, the APPS has contrived to create a 216 - but it becomes a judgement call as to whether to toss hope and $$$ in that direction, instead of the VP-44 itself...



Good luck!

 

[BarryG]

Gary:

Up until recently I have been running my smarty on 2 and my juice on 1x1 around town. Sometimes the juice is on 2x1. On the highway unloaded I can get 20ish give or take 1mpg. Loaded 1000-2000lbs(not towing) I can still get 18ish. Towing 5-6k 17ish. Around town it is 1-2mpg less depending traffic and how I am driving. Now this is at 6200' elevation and above. I did it mainly for economy and smoke control. With me in the truck and 3/4 tank of fuel my truck weighs 8300lbs. While I would love better mileage I wont complain much about what I am getting.



I have recently unhooked the juice as I have been having a problem with a persistent reoccurring code that says it is the crank sensor but my truck doesnt have one it has the cam sensor (it also states this in my service manual) which I recently replaced and before I got home from the install the code reappeard and started acting up.



Taking the truck this weekend out of town will see how it does with no juice. Hopefully the code and symptoms will be gone but we shall see(hopefully in the sense that I will finally know the reason). Also will find out about the mileage if there is any difference.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Thanks Barry - that's how I ran my Comp/Smarty combo too, when I still had the Smarty - got over 22 MPG empty in mixed mountain/flatlands driving, a best of just over 17 MPG towing the 24 foot Kit 5er...



In a couple of weeks, will be taking a 300 mile round trip over the same terrain, and see what is happening with the CaTCHER/Comp setup - but unless something radical turns up, will try to return the CaTCHER to stock programming.



Sure too bad there's no one interested in trading a stock ECM for the CaTCHER, but it would have to be for a Federal emissions, HO truck, and that's not likely to happen in the 2 weeks between now and the time I'll be swapping software programming.



The CaTCHER displays all unwanted characteristics the Smarty did - way too much smoke, and an annoying timing rattle under anything more than slight acceleration at low RPM - and of course, very little compatibility with the Comp. I'll be glad to be rid of the CaTCHER programming...

 

[darkhorse]

The CaTCHER displays all unwanted characteristics the Smarty did - way too much smoke, and an annoying timing rattle under anything more than slight acceleration at low RPM - and of course, very little compatibility with the Comp. I'll be glad to be rid of the CaTCHER programming... [/QUOTE]



I love my CaTCHER programming. It's much better (imo) than the EZ it replaced. I've got no interest in returning to the Edge profile. I wonder if the difference is in our trucks or our desires & expectations. If I still had my spare ECM I'd be happy to swap with you but Marco got it for his testing way back when.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I love my CaTCHER programming. It's much better (imo) than the EZ it replaced. I've got no interest in returning to the Edge profile.

I can't comment on the operating characteristics of the EZ, never had one - but HAVE run the Comp in "EZ mode", without the pump tap. In that arrangement, I'd still prefer it over the CaTCHER, or Smarty - those 2 are too abrupt and jumpy for my particular usage, and especially with the other mods installed. I'm an RV puller, not a kid or drag racer looking for the version of spastic acceleration the CaTCHER and Smarty provide, especially with the unwanted smoke level that comes with it.



Abrupt and lunging acceleration are not what I want in towing - power, yes, but power that is easily controlled and linear in response - and easier on the trucks drivetrain, as well as the RV and contents. And then, there is the needed control in snow and ice - where the CaTCHER, with it's single, all out programming level, just adds yet another level of potential control difficulties to Winter driving.



I've tried Smarty - and now the Catcher, both on their own, as well as combined with the Comp - and of course, the Comp by itself - and as I've stated several times in other related threads, I'll take the Comp all by itself over and above the other 2 any day - either stacked OR by themselves.



It's probably as you state - a matter of personal preference and expectation, with whatever differences in trucks tossed in for good measure - to each his own.

 

[darkhorse]

I'll stak it up to personal preference. I'm not a kid or drag racer either & when I tow it's with my horses in the trailer so I baby it. I also bust snow drifts in 4 wheel with tire chains, all with CaTCHER #9 & Mach 3. 8's, no problem. What I like about the CaTCHER programs is the absolute lack of turbo lag. Smoke control came with a learning curve on my right foot. :-laf