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

[Marco]

Here I'm back.

Hi there,



Just got back home, wifey is doing the suitcase/washing/clearing thing...

Honey, I've got some serious work to do... LOL :-laf



I've read the latest MSG's.

Let me say again what CaTCHER stands for.



CLUTCH and TRACTION CHALLENGER.



I've FRIED a stock AT transmission in less than 3K miles with the CaTCHER / Injectors / HX 40. Fried means the TQ was slipping so bad that I was unable to build more than 4 Psi befor it would slip, the 1st gear clutches were burnt...



Maybe with only the CaTCHER a stock transmission or clutch will be able to manage the torque? Maybe... .



Be advised... With the CaTCHER it's in your right foot how long a stock transmission will last! I went with the whole meal deal of brand X, the problem is cured now.



Back one more time to the throttle response. Personally, I don't think it's too touchy or worse uncontrollable. The fact is that the torque comes in much sooner than stock or with a box. One has simply to ( re )learn how to drive the truck. In fact the throttle response of the CaTCHER -IS- linear unlike the boxes who come in @ a certain boost. The CaTCHER does it's thing from the lowest Rpm up. That's where it shines, but that's also where it can become difficult to controll for the less experienced drivers.



While stock or with a box the torque comes in at a later point, the torque with the CaTCHER is always there. That's why one needs to pay attention for the traction on a slippery road! Too much throttle = too much torque = TROUBLE ! A little less throttle = problem solved.



Dunno if that makes sense?



Murle, PM me the software serial number, from what you said in an earlier MSG, it sure looks like you've got the wrong SW version for your truck.

Oh well, means that you owe me a few beers... :-laf :-laf



Questions?



Marco

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Questions... ?



Marco, If I get one of your ECM's.....



1. Can I use my Edge EZ box with it? I was thinking if your programming comes in low to no throttle, and I put the pin setting on say 2 or 3 to bring on the box's fueling at 10 - 20 Lb. of boost, I would then have complete fueling all the way through the RPM range to WOT.



2. The way I understand your programming for the ECM, it doesnt use or need a boost fooler anymore. Is that correct? Does the boost fooler in the EZ have any affect on your CaTCHER ?



3. Is this compatible with all our fueling/timing box's, ie: Edge, VA, Bullydog, etc. Sorry if that question is a repeat, but I dont remember reading about that.



4. In your opinion, is it necessary to even have the additional fueling box's?



5. In your opinion, would this CaTCHER create any excessive stress/ wear and tear on the VP-44 ?



6. How was your vacation ? Got any pics ?



.

 

[jjohn]

Hey Marco

I too am thinking I need a MAD ECM... Question for you... I live at 5,000 feet and travel to 8,000 to 10,000 feet on occasion.

My truck an 2002 w/ DTT auto, 85HP sticks and a Comp box can be fairly smoky now. With the MADECM and Comp off, how much effort to keep the smoke show on low and "not" scramble the slurry bombers while driving in Denver traffic?



Thanks buddy and nice work cracking the ECM code!

JJ

 

[Marco]

1. Can I use my Edge EZ box with it? I was thinking if your programming comes in low to no throttle, and I put the pin setting on say 2 or 3 to bring on the box's fueling at 10 - 20 Lb. of boost, I would then have complete fueling all the way through the RPM range to WOT.



Yes, Yes.



2. The way I understand your programming for the ECM, it doesnt use or need a boost fooler anymore. Is that correct?



Yes.



Does the boost fooler in the EZ have any affect on your CaTCHER ?



No.





3. Is this compatible with all our fueling/timing box's, ie: Edge, VA, Bullydog, etc. Sorry if that question is a repeat, but I dont remember reading about that.



Yes.



4. In your opinion, is it necessary to even have the additional fueling box's?



No, but that's MY PERSONAL opinion.



5. In your opinion, would this CaTCHER create any excessive stress/ wear and tear on the VP-44 ?



Absolutly NOT. The CaTCHER does not add an second injection stroke like the major fuelling boxes do... .



6. How was your vacation ? Got any pics ?



Vacation was a GREAT, no pics yet.

Vacation what a SWEET word!

-------------------------------------------------------



With the MADECM and Comp off, how much effort to keep the smoke show on low and "not" scramble the slurry bombers while driving in Denver traffic?



Little to none once you get used to the CaTCHER's behaviour.



Marco

 

[smittybuilt]

hopefully mine will be on the way to marco shortly. i think doug was getting ready to box up another batch this past week. i can't wait to see if it helps any sledpulling. like keeping the turbo spooled!

 

[jjohn]

5. In your opinion, would this CaTCHER create any excessive stress/ wear and tear on the VP-44 ?



Absolutly NOT. The CaTCHER does not add an second injection stroke like the major fuelling boxes do... .





Marco

OK somebody Please explain the "second injection stroke" thing to me... .

 

[JHerrlich]

What Marco means is that when you have a major fueling box on your truck that taps the pump wire, it detects when your ECM send a signal to the VP-44 to start injecting fuel and the fueling box then adds on to that signal making the injection event longer, giving more fuel and thus making more power.



How's that for a single sentence. LOL

 

[Marco]

----------------

What Marco means is that when you have a major fueling box on your truck that taps the pump wire, it detects when your ECM send a signal to the VP-44 to start injecting fuel and the fueling box then adds on to that signal making the injection event longer, giving more fuel and thus making more power.

----------------



Nope that's not the way the "major" fuelling boxes work.

The boxes that tap the pump wire do add an SECOND injection stroke after the ECM's one.



It works like this:

The ECM sends it's signal to the VP. The VP executes that command and injects the requested fuel with the requested timing by the ECM. The box adds then ANOTHER injection stroke AFTER the "main" injection stroke from the ECM. That's possible because the VP's have been designed for TWO injection strokes by Bosch from the beginning. The major fuelling boxes do "activate" an function that's already there but has not been used by Cummins. That can be easily seen hooking up a scope to the pump wire...



Clear as mud?



From the above it's also clear that:

1) Those boxes add fuel with a retarted timing ( the second stroke takes place later )

2) The EGT's will raise to abnormal levels ( late timing and more fuel )

3) These boxes sqeeze out as much fuel as the VP has in the plungers...



The CaTCHER does NOT add that second injection thus it remains within the save limits of the VP.



Marco

 

[JHerrlich]

I stand corrected, thank your for setting it straight, Marco.

 

[Murle]

Marco you have been PM. As far as the beer goes... You drink one for me and I will drink 3 for you. I like those odds better

 

[Murle]

Looks like DC put a 2000. 5 ECM in my 2001 truck... Wouldn't you know it... .

 

[RCone]

I was gonna PM Marco with this question but as I thought about it I believe others might like to hear his response publicly.



Hello Marco, welcome back. Forgive my rambling but here goes. Question #1, there are those that claim the CaTCHER will smoke less (with a good push on the go pedal) with a comp box on 1x1 (the EZ mode). That has not been my experience. BTW, we are talking modified trucks here with medium size injectors (110-130hp) and 35/40 hybrid turbos. Mine smokes more with box on.



Next question, does the comp box in it's lowest EZ setting 1x1 help the CaTCHER or hinder it. I guess what I am saying is that a box will advance timing and maybe your ECM is retarding slightly. Is that a conflict and will it hurt anything? Which, leads me into my last question for this post. Those of us that tow (and sometimes I tow heavy, 13,500 pounds) and especially me when towing up hills before the CaTCHER, ran my box on 1x1 which not only gave me the additional power but my EGT's were cooler by about 100-150 degrees as as result of the advanced timing I assume. I have not yet towed with the CaTCHER so I guess I will just have to experiment to see what works best for my particular setup, unless you have an opinion or examples from those customers of yours who tow in the Alps.



Regards,



Roger

 

[Amianthus]

Matt, the reluctor ring destruction wouldn't have been prevented by gauges. In fact, I had them installed at the time of destruction. The story of the ring is summarized in that it is such a PITA to replace it when it breaks. There's a picture below. That's all he was referring to. My truck wass down for 3 weeks whilst I pulled the motor and replaced it. Stupid GD design.



Say Marco, I'd be interested in sending my ECM back to you if you could program in pilot injection. Man! Would that blow them away at the next event.



(Actually I don't think it's possible, but it never hurts to ask)

 

[darkhorse]

CaTCHER & cruise control

I'm wondering if I'm the only one with a funtional CaTCHER & no cruise control. My cc is the all electronic type & it funtions fine with my original ECM. With the CaTCHER it does nothing at all.

 

[SilverDodge]

Marco, have you gotten the latest package that Doug sent out yet?



Thanks!

- Darin

 

[Bob Wagner]

I'm wondering if I'm the only one with a funtional CaTCHER & no cruise control. My cc is the all electronic type & it funtions fine with my original ECM. With the CaTCHER it does nothing at all.

my cc works fine with the upgrade. I posted several weeks ago. But when I sent my ecm in it was an exact match to my stock ecm.



If that matters at all.



another question is tire size vs. mph. Marco can you change this in the software or not?



Thanks

 

[SmokinJoe]

Positive way to identify Truck PCM type

FWIW I think Marco should partiner with a software developer and for an extra $xx upgrade the Catcher to come with the software and cables to be used before the PCM is sent out. Palm Pilots are less than $50 and could be used later to clear codes.



I can't seem to find the link to the guys site that had the Palm software for ODB-II. I think I made this reference to Marco before...

 

[SmokinJoe]

another question is tire size vs. mph. Marco can you change this in the software or not?

Another question is the activation of the cold idle warm up and setting the PTO RPM. Are there any unused input IO on the PCM? Can the software read teh status of those IO input lines? If so what could we get added... .



Valet mode?

Teenager Mode, limit speed to 55mpg?

Low Boost limit to 5psi?

 

[SilverDodge]

Another question is the activation of the cold idle warm up and setting the PTO RPM. Are there any unused input IO on the PCM? Can the software read teh status of those IO input lines? If so what could we get added... .



Valet mode?

Teenager Mode, limit speed to 55mpg?

Low Boost limit to 5psi?

I know that marco tried in the beginning having multiple files that had different driving charicteristics. I cannot speak for him but i think there were too many problems with the multiple files; like having a valet mode, ect. and thats why we are not seeing a mutiple file version out

 

[SmokinJoe]

I know that marco tried in the beginning having multiple files that had different driving charicteristics. I cannot speak for him but i think there were too many problems with the multiple files; like having a valet mode, ect. and thats why we are not seeing a mutiple file version out

Not multiple files. Use the unused Input lines as high/low markers for the program settings.