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

[TnLRacing]

I agree with Torque's This thread is getting old. It went from a productive discussion to a finger pointing session. I say all the happy caTCHER users all chip in a couple of bucks, and buy Gary one so he keeps quiet for a little while . All I can tell you from riding in Torque's truck is the caTCHER is simply AWESOME!

 

[RCone]

Gdamn it. Am I allowed to post on this thread? I have a CaTCHER and was one of the first to use/enjoy it. I have stated my case, what more do you want? This thread should not be inflamatory. Information is being shared here. Sheet, even Gary and I are agreeing for a change. The CaTCHER may be for you or it may not. All mods are choices. Se la vie.



You want to drive my truck? Come to the NW Bombers party in February. You want to race with a 5ver in tow? Get yourself a 14k, high profile unit and then come and talk to me. You want to go on the dragstrip? Look at my profile and then come and get me. Whatever rings your bell.



Your choice, my choice, whatever. I don't see why there should be any dissention here. Why slam something that you know nothing about other that what's been posted. The real world is out there. Go big or stay home!



Roger

 

[Marco]

After a good sleep, let's see, where are we now with our :-{} contest? :-laf



SNOKING,

You've got me really good!

Can't help myself, I'm still laughing... LOL Really well done! LMAO!



Roger sez:

"Am I allowed to post on this thread?"



That depends upon what you say!



If positive about the CaTCHER then you better shut up. That kinda stuff isn't allowed here. :-laf Even worse if you try to explain how things work!

Don't do it!



You better agree with Gary's "opinions"! If not, shut up!



TORQUE THIS sez:

"THIS IS GETTING OLD REALLLLLLLLY QUICK! Knock it off already!"



Yup! :{ :{ :{ :{



Now to you Gary.



My opinion about what you have to say:

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2) pèbgui45xs jha jksxc tsa lfd ahjbnbn 556dhbdsce°ç:é*:ç jcdkjckdeesa cdd



3) bcbchsjkbcn vfdvckds ijkdcichd hcaui45cde48dsxc idsjdbewdjcsdbchjbcb h





Doesn't like it? Well, it's MY opinion like it or not.



Marco

 

[jmolnar]

2001. 5 CTD. Banks Power Pack, 275's, HX35/14, Installed Catcher this morning. All I can say is Holy Crappppp!!!!!!!! Thumbs upppp!!!!!. Freaking Amazing. John. :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Marco]

2001. 5 CTD. Banks Power Pack, 275's, HX35/14, Installed Catcher this morning. All I can say is Holy Crappppp!!!!!!!! Thumbs upppp!!!!!. Freaking Amazing. John.

Welcome to the club!

:-laf :-laf :-laf



Marco

 

[rweis]

I have been watching in the weeds for quite a while and want to see if I have it summed up right up to this point.



The catcher functions best at lower end vs boxes that generally function best at higher end. Lower end means idle to about 2k? Which I think means if you generally run (my 02 3. 54 ETC out of O/D (towing)) less than 60 mph or so (2400 rpm) then there is a higher probability that you will have better engine response with the catcher than with a box (edge comp in my case, pump wire NOT tapped, ie like an edge ez).



Have I got that part right?



I know there will be many of you that say I should tap the pump wire, but my truck, my VP, not going to do that.



My PRIMARY objective for additional power / response is to tow out of O/D about 13k 5er and get it up to speed reasonably well and then to cruise out of O/D at about 60 mph about 2400 rpm. Getting it up to 60 mph is reasonably important so I don't get run over getting onto the Interstate. Once I am established in the right lane at 60 mph then I own that chunk of asphalt and I let the rest of the world go do whatever they want.



I'm thinking that the catcher would be a better choice for my needs than the edge comp (that I run like a edge ez) that I currently run.



I have my flak jacket on, helmet on, and head down, just looking for ideas.



Bob Weis

 

[Marco]

With the mods I see in your sign, you should be towing rather well with the CaTCHER. Anyway, there are a lot of people out here who got their CaTCHER mainly for towing. They will, no doubt, be able to answer your question better ( real world ) than what I could.





"I have my flak jacket on, helmet on, and head down, just looking for ideas. "



Sorry about that!

Nobody should need a special dress to ask a question... Not in the CaTCHER thread, no where else...



Marco

 

[SnoKing]

I have been watching in the weeds for quite a while and want to see if I have it summed up right up to this point.



The catcher functions best at lower end vs boxes that generally function best at higher end. Lower end means idle to about 2k? Which I think means if you generally run (my 02 3. 54 ETC out of O/D (towing)) less than 60 mph or so (2400 rpm) then there is a higher probability that you will have better engine response with the catcher than with a box (edge comp in my case, pump wire NOT tapped, ie like an edge ez).



Have I got that part right?



I know there will be many of you that say I should tap the pump wire, but my truck, my VP, not going to do that.



My PRIMARY objective for additional power / response is to tow out of O/D about 13k 5er and get it up to speed reasonably well and then to cruise out of O/D at about 60 mph about 2400 rpm. Getting it up to 60 mph is reasonably important so I don't get run over getting onto the Interstate. Once I am established in the right lane at 60 mph then I own that chunk of asphalt and I let the rest of the world go do whatever they want.



I'm thinking that the catcher would be a better choice for my needs than the edge comp (that I run like a edge ez) that I currently run.



I have my flak jacket on, helmet on, and head down, just looking for ideas.



Bob Weis

Well you should have gotten the 4:10's. I tow at 63 in OD at 2000 RPM's. With DD1 Jammers, Comp/EZ mode, HY35 set to 28lbs, LBHAF (Napa 6637), 4" SS exhaust. I now run on the freeway without coming out of OD at 18,240 combined weight. On freeway hills that I ran in 3rd when stock, I now can accelerate up in OD. I have not been on a mountain pass yet, but speed limitations will most likely have me shifting to 3rd, to make the corners etc. I have only been able to push EGT to 1175 to 1200 so far. SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

rweis



The other thing I found after spending the 8K to upgrade my truck this fall, was that running in OD at 2000 is much more relaxing than it was running out of OD, quite a bit of the time, with the engine getting busy out front. If you tow a lot my might want to think about the gear change. SNOKING

 

[Bob Wagner]

Bob, The CaTCHER is just what the doctor ordered for your application.



I also tow a 30' 10k+ 5er with stand up bedroom and 2 slides. The CaTCHER has WAY MORE low end grunt than the ez in the lower rpm band.



I just sold a CaTCHER to a member that tow's a horse trailer and flatbed for hauling hay.



He just switched from an EZ and DD3's to the CaTCHER and he is all



He comment is "the power is right where I needed it at 1500RPM is his sweet spot where the ez was lacking.



I can pass along a number if you would liketo talk.

 

[Bob Wagner]

I tow with 3:54 gears too, no need for a gear change

 

[SnoKing]

Bob, at 60-65 are you towing in OD or 3rd? SNOKING

 

[Bob Wagner]

Bob, at 60-65 are you towing in OD or 3rd? SNOKING

OD, 60MPH is below my towing speed. I've been towing with my DTT transmission for over 4 years. zero problems and 3:54 unloaded beat the heck out of 4:10's

 

[SnoKing]

OD, 60MPH is below my towing speed. I've been towing with my DTT transmission for over 4 years. zero problems and 3:54 unloaded beat the heck out of 4:10's

Bob, but my point to rweis was that if he tows "alot" and likes to drive 60 with his trailer, then 4:10 would be a better gear ratio, getting him into OD and getting the RPMs down and away from the busy engine at 2400 RPMs. I know this has little to do with CaTCHER, except maybe to put him into the sweet spot of its torque curve!



And yes I really do "not" like my 4:10 on the freeway at 70! But, my truck is working most of the time towing the 5er or snowmobile trailer.



SNOKING

 

[RCone]

3. 54 gears here. I generally town in 3rd at 23 to 2400 rpms. That is the sweet spot for my particular setup. Plus, when my PacBrake kicks in it's more effective at that RPM range in slowing down. I've tried towing both in OD and 3rd with little or no variation in MPG.



Towing 14K, I personally don't like to go much over 65maximum and generally hold right around 60mph. It's kinda like, what goes up must come down and what speeds up must, at some point, slow down and I do want to be able to stop safely.



Lastly, what you don't want is your transmission kicking in and out of OD when coming to rolling hills. That is hard even on a modified transmission. And lest us not forget that higher RPM's=more boost=lower EGT's.



Roger

 

[rweis]

I know it should be 4. 10 but was a good deal and had 3. 54. First time carrier bearings go out or major rear end maintenance, then will do the swap of 3. 54 to X. XX I do not want to hijack the thread, but I think I read that the 3. 54's can go to a 3. 9X without major rear end changes. To go 3. 54 to 4. 10 then there is some significant bearing and carrier changes (I think, ??????)



Anyway, I thinking of swapping the edge comp for the catcher.



I think the only thing I need to be careful of with the catcher is to make sure the dealer never "reflashes" the ECM :{



Bob Weis

 

[rweis]

Snoking



3rd, out of O/D



60mph ~ 2400



Bob Weis

 

[Casey Ray]

I think the only thing I need to be careful of with the catcher is to make sure the dealer never "reflashes" the ECM :{



Bob Weis

Bob,



From what I gather reading this thread, you don't have to worry about the dealer being able to reflash the ECM. Marco programs the ECM to have version 9999999. 9 (something like that, lol) so that when/if the dealer/service tech tries to do a reflash, he'll/she'll will see that the latest/greatest is already installed. Marco, did I get this right?



Lots of reading, lots of info in this thread.



cul,



Casey

 

[Marco]

Rweis,

you don't have to worry about a reflash from the dealer. The thing is done exactly like Hoof Hearted says. The DRB looks what SW revision is already inside the ECM. If it is the latest revision in the ECM, then no go the DRB will not allow another flash. The CaTCHER is saved... :-laf



I have the 3. 54's in my truck. With my 33" tires @ 60 I turn a little over 1600 Rpm. With the stock tires that would mean about 150-200 (?) Rpm more.

The point is, @ 1600 the CaTCHER is already spooling the turbo big time ( under load, obviuos ) I would feel comfortable pulling a load at that Rpm & speed in OD.



Only disclaimer, I don't tow anything, have no direct experience with it.

The other guys here have advised you better than what I could. My only reasoning is about power & torque. I say the CaTCHER can handle the OD @ 60 Mph...



Helps some?



Marco

 

[SnoKing]

Rweis,

you don't have to worry about a reflash from the dealer. The thing is done exactly like Hoof Hearted says. The DRB looks what SW revision is already inside the ECM. If it is the latest revision in the ECM, then no go the DRB will not allow another flash. The CaTCHER is saved... :-laf



I have the 3. 54's in my truck. With my 33" tires @ 60 I turn a little over 1600 Rpm. With the stock tires that would mean about 150-200 (?) Rpm more.

The point is, @ 1600 the CaTCHER is already spooling the turbo big time ( under load, obviuos ) I would feel comfortable pulling a load at that Rpm & speed in OD.



Only disclaimer, I don't tow anything, have no direct experience with it.

The other guys here have advised you better than what I could. My only reasoning is about power & torque. I say the CaTCHER can handle the OD @ 60 Mph...



Helps some?



Marco

All good and well, except maybe that is a little low on RPMs to load up the Torque Converter with hard pull. I am running up to DTT this afternoon to exchange smart controllers, for the new "Snoking Special" one. I will run it by Bill. SNOKING