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

[TORQUE THIS]

Marco, what can I try to see if it is working... what turns it on and off?

 

[SnoKing]

Marco, what can I try to see if it is working... what turns it on and off?

Park your truck outside over night at below 32 degree's. 28 is better! Start it and make sure that it is in park, and brake and throttle is not touched. After a few seconds (up to 30 or so) it should ramp up to 1200RPM. If it is below 15 degrees (more like 5-10) than 3 cylinder idle should come on. Have some TP ready the first time you hear it go into 3 cylinder mode. If it does not work, then print out the instructions about enabling 3 cylinder mode (that turns on both high idle and 3 cylinder) and head to a dealer. Make sure that they go back in a second time and see it enabled. Many of us have had to make more than one trip to the dealer to get it working. SNOKING

 

[sparks57]

Cool, looks like my question about the high idle option is answered, but what about high RPM fueling?



Does the Mad ECM fuel like a drag comp to 3200, or does it begin defueling at 2700?



I drove one over the weekend (I ordered mine early last week) and man, it rocks.

 

[Marco]

Well guys,

You're doing very well on your own! No need for me to add anything else about the 3cyl idle... Oo. One of these days there will be no more need for me to chime in. :-laf



To tell you the truth, I don't like to stand on the soap box. Usually not my way. Most times I prefer to listen to what the guy on the soap box has to say.



This thread counts now 100K+ views.

I would have never thought that my lil toy would have gained that much attention! Not even in my nicest dreams...



What can I say?



THANK YOU!



Marco

 

[yogibear]

THANK YOU MARCO! Now when will we be getting the 3rd gen ECM's????



Larry

 

[Marco]

I'm working on the third gen's. I can't give you a timeframe though...

Sorry!



Marco

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Here is what the TSB says about the high idle:



18-019-01 All 24v engines Cold idle engine warming.

This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Engine Control Module with new software. This bulletin applies to all Ram trucks built after December 17, 1997 equipped with the 24-valve 5. 9L Cummins diesel engine.



Extended idle operation, especially in cold weather, can allow varnishes/oils to condense on the exhaust valve stems, leading to stuck valves, and damaged valve train components. The repair procedure involves calibration software that will activate when certain parameters are met, reducing the chance of valve sticking as well as improving cab heat warm-up time. Idle speed will slowly ramp up from 800 rpm to 1200 rpm when all of the following conditions are met:

* Intake Manifold Temperature less than 60°C (32°F)

* Coolant Temp is less than 60°C (140°F)

* The transmission is in Neutral or Park

* The Service Brake pedal is not depressed

* Throttle = 0%

* Vehicle Speed = 0 mph



If intake manifold temperature (IMT) is less than -9°C (15°F), three of the cylinders will be shut off upon reaching 1200 rpm, creating a slight change in engine sound which is normal. Thus the engine has to work to overcome the three “dead” cylinders. This allows the engine to create increased heat in the cooling system, allowing more rapid warm up.



Either feature will abort when any one of the following occurs:

* The automatic transmission is placed in gear (forward or reverse)

* The service brake pedal is depressed

* Throttle position is greater than 0%

* Vehicle speed greater than 0 mph

* Coolant temperature is greater than 79°C (175°F)





Hopefully this answers some others questions.

 

[Bob Wagner]

marco shipped the last batch to me today, should be here monday or tuesday.

 

[sparks57]

marco shipped the last batch to me today, should be here monday or tuesday.

Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.



Hooray! Mine is on the way!!! :-laf



So does anyone have an answer to my 2700rpm defueling question? Does the MAD ECM fully fuel to 3200 or does it defuel at 2700rpm like stock?



Also, what happens if you put a federal computer into a california truck or vice versa? No worky?

 

[darkhorse]

Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.



Hooray! Mine is on the way!!! :-laf



So does anyone have an answer to my 2700rpm defueling question? Does the MAD ECM fully fuel to 3200 or does it defuel at 2700rpm like stock?



Also, what happens if you put a federal computer into a california truck or vice versa? No worky?

My CaTCHER fuels out a little past 3200 rpm. Each tic mark on the tach being about 125 rpm makes reading it a little tricky especially since the needle is rising so fast. :-laf

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

makes reading it a little tricky especially since the needle is rising so fast. :-laf

Ain't that the truth, by the time you get your foot in it its time for another gear.

 

[Bob Wagner]

you can not use a federal ecm on a carb truck, it's the wrong software

 

[sparks57]

Ok, just curiouse if the trucks had totally different software or not. I wasn't going to try it, just curiouse!



Ok, so it does get full fuel to 3200 then?

 

[dsherman]

Marco or any body can you prove to me that this works!!! All I see is a lot of BS

no before or after numbers!!!! Looks to me all you have is feel better numbers :-laf :-laf

Not good



Marco you need to return my e -mails and PM,s that I sent you!!!!

Not hard a word from him

David



PS-If i missed a post about any real numbers please show me!!!!

Theres is so much BS to read i give up on the post!!!!

 

[Bob Wagner]

David, I gained over 60HP with the catcher over stock ecm. catcher and mach 4's made 401/833 dyno chart is posted.



jason installed his yesterday, go take a test ride and he has more to come

 

[JHerrlich]

Yup, you'll have to take a test ride. I have no need to put my foot to the floor under most circumstances, and I don't leave my Comp on 5x5 anymore, either (and I'm a power junkie).



Jason

 

[jaybigboy34]

David, I gained over 60HP with the catcher over stock ecm. catcher and mach 4's made 401/833 dyno chart is posted.



jason installed his yesterday, go take a test ride and he has more to come

Bob, the only thing I can't understand is the dyno numbers. As you know I have the Mach 3. 7's with a Power Puck. I don't think the Power Puck gained me 60hp but, I dynoed close to 40 more horsepower than you did. Could the fact that I have a bigger turbo, a manual transmission, and a different dyno day make that much difference? Just curious. What I am getting at is if I get rid of my Power Puck and install the new ECM, am I going to dyno less?



Thanks

 

[Bob Wagner]

Bob, the only thing I can't understand is the dyno numbers. As you know I have the Mach 3. 7's with a Power Puck. I don't think the Power Puck gained me 60hp but, I dynoed close to 40 more horsepower than you did. Could the fact that I have a bigger turbo, a manual transmission, and a different dyno day make that much difference? Just curious. What I am getting at is if I get rid of my Power Puck and install the new ECM, am I going to dyno less?



Thanks

Jason, Yes, the bigger turbo did add more power and yes the 6 speed maual transmission helps too.



will you dyno less swapping from the power puck to the Catcher, I would doubt it.



I dynoed on a cool day and most likely with winter blend fuel, If I were to use a lock up switch I am sure my numbers would have been higher too but I have no billet shafts so no lock up switch for me

 

[darkhorse]

Marco or any body can you prove to me that this works!!! All I see is a lot of BS

no before or after numbers!!!! Looks to me all you have is feel better numbers :-laf :-laf

Not good



Marco you need to return my e -mails and PM,s that I sent you!!!!

Not hard a word from him

David



PS-If i missed a post about any real numbers please show me!!!!

Theres is so much BS to read i give up on the post!!!!

Proof? You want proof? Drive one, then you tell us what you think. The immediate response to the throttle is something that dyno #'s don't show but that's what put's the on a CaTCHER driver's face.

 

[sparks57]

You don't believe the dozens of first hand accounts of how much that caTCHER rocks???



I drove one last weekend, and my own caTCHER should be arriving in the mail today. Oo.



Trust me, there is no comparison, the fueling curve is just perfect. And there are several dyno sheets showing an average of 50hp gain.