Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) caTCHER ecm (Marco's aka MAD)

[RustyJC]

This electronic cruise control subject brings up a related question. With the additional fueling of my DD2 injectors, both the cruise control and the idle speed governor functions are overly sensitive - too much gain in the stock ECM programming is the cause. The ECM overfuels in these situations because the larger injectors give more fuel than the ECM is expecting. Aside from the previously discussed cruise control issues, this also leads to the "romp-romp" scenario when load is applied to the engine at idle - like when maneuvering a large 5th wheel RV in a campground or when backing it into its covered storage site.



Marco, have you decreased (or can you decrease) the speed control (engine RPM or road speed) gain function(s) in the ECM programming to compensate for larger injectors? This would have the same effect as the previously discussed needle valve on the vacuum servo-powered cruise control systems.



Rusty

 

[tractorface]

Soup Nazi

Reading this thread I can't help but think of a Sienfeld episode involving the Soup Nazi. Please don't make Marco mad, we don't want him yelling "NO CATCHER FOR YOU". Just wait in line quietly, pay for your Catcher, and move on. "NEXT"



Marco if you have never seen Sienfeld I mean no harm with thiss comment, I just have a picture in my head that keeps making me laugh and I thought I would share it.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Put this in your pipe and smoke it:



What about Joe Schmowe 'CaTCHER ECM Consumer' that takes his truck to the dealer for some work?



They usually reflash your ECM (without your knowledge!) to add a placeholder for mileage information... . or maybe they just want to reflash your ECM for a TSB, emissions concern, etc. Some people have gone so far as to install a lock on their DLC so that the dealer can't fu... mess with their ECM.



Who picks up the tab when the dealer reflashes the CaTCHER software right out of your ECM and burns some nice OEM files into it?



If this happens... the truck will be inoperable while you send your ECM to Doug and then to Italy to have it reflashed with the 'CaTCHER' software.



How would the local/federal EPA react to having the tables inside an ECM being reflashed? Is this ECM going to be CARB approved?



The fact that I don't drive/own a VP-44 equipped truck does not discount my concerns with this product.



I like making power as much as the next guy (probably more than the next guy... ) - but this whole thing isn't as cut-and-dry as it seems.



Matt

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

Put this in your pipe and smoke it:

Wow,



Why so tense?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

That sounded harsh - didn't mean it to...



Matt

 

[tractorface]

Carb Approved

C'mon How many other Bombs are carb approved? Who really cares? I read earlier where Marco said he could set it up so it could not be re-flashed.

HHH

One thing is for certain This Bomb ain't for you.



Whats with people wanting everything gauranteed. Nothing in life is certain. Motor vehicles break down, Most everyone knows the risks involved. It is usually the guy that decided to hook his batteries up in series cause he thought 24v meant 24VOLTs, that will complain about the ECM failing. I understand and have thought reflashes, failures and even the Emmissions Nazi's. Bottom line is this has got to be one of the stealthiest (sp) bombs ever invented.

 

[RabidRam]

Matt... Ever feel like you are the only fish going upstream? I think that you have brought some good issues up, but apparently these guys don't appreciate you raining on their parade.



My hat's off to Marco for figuring out how to hack the ECM. I am a fledgling (sp?) computer geek and would LOVE to get into this kind of stuff. Congrats Marco.



Dave

 

[HoleshotHolset]

More than anything - I don't want to see a good thing turn sour.



I am not opposed to reflashing ECM's. Nor am I opposed to running a vehicle with DFI on the street... . neither of which is CARB approved or environmentally friendly.



My posts on this thread have been an attempt to get the facts on the table and get people thinking about the possible repercussions of running such a thing in their truck... that's all.



Matt

 

[Casey Ray]

Marco,



Will a stock HY turbo be sufficient or will I need to upgrade? Would it do any good to run with just an Edge EZ box or forget the EZ with the CaTCHER?



Thanks for your time.



Casey

 

[jcbrown]

TSB...

Marco,



Will your reflashed ECM incorporate Cold Idle Engine Warming, TSB 18-019-01?



James

 

[Murle]

It is starting to sound like the liberal demorcrat's. I don't need anyone telling me what to do with my money, how to spend it, or worring about my truck. It is my money and my truck and it none of anyone's business to look after me. I'm a grown man now!!!



Oh, also I still like my FASS. Some said it would not work... ...



Good work Marco... . Got one on order.....

 

[Marco]

HH,

I'm getting a little tired...

I'm glad to see that the guys here have answered your questions better than I would have...



As long as you make false statements and/or make missleading questions which can lead only into the direction YOU want, I will ignore you. I understand where you come from. Now please let's just go ahead and be friends just like I'm with everyone else on this board.

OK? Friends...



Hoof Hearted,

Depending what injectors you have and what you tow, the HY can do the trick. Spools up very fast...

I hope I got your question about the EZ right...

Stack it with the CaTCHER? Why not? I'd suggest you test the CaTCHER for a while and then decide if you need the EZ too.



RustyJC

have you decreased (or can you decrease) the speed control (engine RPM or road speed) gain function(s) in the ECM programming to compensate for larger injectors?



The" romp romp" when the AT is placed into gear?

I've done it for Andy's and my truck. Seems to work... it works. .

The problem is that each set of injectors (brand) is quiet different form the others. To get rid of that romp romp needs custom tuning . Not viable because the ECM has to be reflashed with different SW each time. I'm in Italy... . it's doable but also difficult.



jcbrown,

the softwares I use have the cold engine high idle incorporated. What I've not been able yet to confirm is if they need to be enabled by a dealer or not. Worst scenario you'd need to get it enabled by a dealer.



Marco

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Mods of this type being CARB approved is a non-issue for most already running non-approved stuff - my truck was largely off warranty as soon as I got it home from the dealership. Besides, the ECM program leaves no external evidence of it's existence, so who would know?



"Cool. Thanks Darkhorse. So we narrowed down that in 01 or 02 the manual trucks switched to fully ECM controlled cruise control. One more reason to get an Auto. Now the question is whether this was in 01 or 02. "



Like the other fella said above, virtually ALL my previous vehicles with CC were of the vacuum servo type - some better than others - but this ECM-controlled CC is FAR and away the smoothest and most enjoyable *I* have ever seen - absolutely seamless in operation. I have been occasionaly puzzled by statements from other owners of trucks like mine as they complained about some minor issue with their CC - but now I sorta understand - they most likely had an auto transmission and a conventional CC...



Marco, I've seem similar new products hit the scene before, and this sort of hash and rehash, along with well intended but erroneous statements and assumptions. It's just part of the baptism for the developer, applied by the curious and concerned who want to know as EXACTLY as possible what they might be getting themselves into - bad enough with a developer and product inside our own borders - more complicated and requiring even greater trust when it's from "way over yonder"!



Buck up, take a few deep breaths, make LOTS of allowances for us less knowledgeable fumblers, and keep pressing on - most of us deeply appreciate it.

 

[Chipstien]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

I have been occasionaly puzzled by statements from other owners of trucks like mine as they complained about some minor issue with their CC - but now I sorta understand - they most likely had an auto transmission and a conventional CC...

So you trying to say that the bad trucks are Autos w/ conventional CC? This is what I say to that.....

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well JEEZE - I *tried* to put it as gently as possible... .

 

[darkhorse]

I paid special attention to my CC this evening. I'm running F1's mach 1. 5's & an Edge EZ. I have the all electronic CC & it is VERY smooth. The only surge it does is if I hit "resume" after I've slowed 10 or 15 mph. Then the boost surges to 21 or so & I'm at target speed in very little time then the throttle is backed off all most as abruptly. It's kinda starteling at first but no real problem. I'm "patiently" waiting to test it all with the MAD caTCHER.

 

[amillstream]

Marco, I am running a comp but was wondering how much higher egts to expect with just my DD2's with the comp turned off, than with out the catcher and DD2's? With the comp on 1x1 my egts are about the same if not just a little cooler than with the box turned off, just wondering if I could expect the same from the catcher. Sent my ecm's out today, can't wait to get one back with the catcher!Oo. Oo. Oo.



Thanks for spending so much time on development I'm sure I will like it. In a year from now I'm sure the naysayers will be gone or even using your product!

 

[AKAMAC]

The only question I have is when will we have the "spare" ECM's in Doug's hands for quick delivery. The good deal ECM went out the door the day after Marco offered his deal. Go figure.



Gary... . I mistakenly thought that the digital CC was incorporated in the CR trucks. Mine is vacuum actuated.



Marco, I'm glad you hit the 25% mark... Hard to do with reverse engineering. Good job, can't wait.



Mike

 

[RabidRam]

so is this the longest freakin' thread in TDR history or what?!

 

[Bob Wagner]

Originally posted by RabidRam

so is this the longest freakin' thread in TDR history or what?!

It must be darn close to "pumps lines and what nots"



that was a long and educational thread too.