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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) caTCHER ecm (Marco's aka MAD)
- Thread starter Bob Wagner
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I am sure I recall several people early on in this thread that are using a Drag/Comp Box and CaTCHer combo with satisfactory results. Marco has flashed an ECM for me twice now, I don't expect him to go for a third time :-laf Add that to my truck having been "limited" since April 4th and I sure hope that I don't have any problems with this combination. I am extremely thankful that the TDR has members like AKAMAC who are willing to help keep a guy on the road, but everything has it's limits!
btw, if you are new to this thread, my double flash 6 weeks of problems are not the typical situation.
btw, if you are new to this thread, my double flash 6 weeks of problems are not the typical situation.
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Good Luck Bill what with me having a COMP and a Catcher on the way ... LOL
I hope marco's magic will fix my ecm that it will out last my truck with NO SET BACKS like messed up cruize ,,,windshield whipers not working ... ECT..... :>
GO MARCO
DM
I hope marco's magic will fix my ecm that it will out last my truck with NO SET BACKS like messed up cruize ,,,windshield whipers not working ... ECT..... :>
GO MARCO
DM
Same effect less dramatic
There is a spot in my daily commute that this occurs with mine. I slowly accelerate up an on-ramp to the freeway at an entry speed of about 50 or 55. The transmission is locked in OD and I try to accelerate to 70 without stomping it. The truck will bog down, not slow down, and not do that MAD thing. What is interesting is if I lock-out OD before the OD up shift, accelerate at the same rate, do the merge/lane change into traffic while releasing the OD lock-out I'm doing 70 75 into the mayhem.
It almost acts like a poorly adjusted kickdown cable on a FMX transmission.
The missing you are feeling is more like lack of fuel. What is your FP pressure at when this occurs?
I can see it now..... Catcher ECM with new and improved shifting capabilities! GET YOURS NOW! :-laf
Now Marco can move to the States with the 20% programming change limitation exclusion and see for himself what us New World folks are doing.
Mike
PS. Thanks for the kind words RNR. (AKA Bill)
dieselbomb said:
There is a spot in my daily commute that this occurs with mine. I slowly accelerate up an on-ramp to the freeway at an entry speed of about 50 or 55. The transmission is locked in OD and I try to accelerate to 70 without stomping it. The truck will bog down, not slow down, and not do that MAD thing. What is interesting is if I lock-out OD before the OD up shift, accelerate at the same rate, do the merge/lane change into traffic while releasing the OD lock-out I'm doing 70 75 into the mayhem.
It almost acts like a poorly adjusted kickdown cable on a FMX transmission. The missing you are feeling is more like lack of fuel. What is your FP pressure at when this occurs?
I can see it now..... Catcher ECM with new and improved shifting capabilities! GET YOURS NOW! :-laf
Now Marco can move to the States with the 20% programming change limitation exclusion and see for himself what us New World folks are doing.
Mike
PS. Thanks for the kind words RNR. (AKA Bill)
Sounds like Marco is perplexed.
I talked to Bob Wagner today after my original post and he said he couldnt reach Marco today, Hmmmm I wonder if Marco is crunchin the ECM math. I have received numerous PMs with several people having a similar problem with the Special version of the Catcher and the drag comp. I also remember reading and hearing Bob tell me that the combo worked well together. I almost wonder if Edge has modified the latest load of the drag Comp. Mine reads software version 8. 0 Any comments?
I talked to Bob Wagner today after my original post and he said he couldnt reach Marco today, Hmmmm I wonder if Marco is crunchin the ECM math. I have received numerous PMs with several people having a similar problem with the Special version of the Catcher and the drag comp. I also remember reading and hearing Bob tell me that the combo worked well together. I almost wonder if Edge has modified the latest load of the drag Comp. Mine reads software version 8. 0 Any comments?
I almost wonder if Edge has modified the latest load of the drag Comp. Mine reads software version 8. 0 Any comments?[/QUOTE]
I believe that Edge has changed the timing curve to the same specs as Diesel Dynamics, but I don't know why that would cause problems. Just for the record, my standard CaTCHER works just fine with the Blue Chip APB.
I believe that Edge has changed the timing curve to the same specs as Diesel Dynamics, but I don't know why that would cause problems. Just for the record, my standard CaTCHER works just fine with the Blue Chip APB.
If I am not mistaken the blue chip is a fueling box only and does no timing. I could be wrong though. The Comp definately does timing.
Just received mine back from a health checkup at Edge. It went out v8. 0 and came back v8. C :-laf Totally awesome customer service I might add. They checked it out, upgraded a chip, lab and truck tested it, called for more info, and shipped it back to me 2nd day (with a new wire harness ) so that I would not miss a dyno run this weekend, I paid for the shipping out to them. Very 
in my book.
in my book.HMMM, I just got my comp upgraded last Tuesday and it has 8. 0 only. Now I am really confused. I hate calling edge tech support. Every time I ever call them they never have a clue about the specific aspects of how their devices work with my truck. I ask them if they have a GURU on the Cummins with regard to the Comp and they say "NO". I like the edge hardware but they must keep the engineers locked up like veal and hire Nextel tech support reps.
Hi Gang,
I was swamped yesterday. That's going to be that way for about the next six months! :{
You know that feeling when you wake up in the morning and you already know that you've got to do more than what you could, yet you HAVE to eat through all the stuff... Something got lost during the day, my answers to Bob and here... Sorry!
Quote:
"Nope-- then we wouldn't have ECMs (illegal to do in US, as Cummins sued). TST used to mod ECMs, and so did others, and Cummins sued to stop it. "
Nope, TST got sued because they used Cummins proprietary tools to do their thing. Proprietary is the key word here! I'm not using any proprietary tool ( Read hardware ) or software to do my thing...
Oh, Yeah, BTW, I'm in Verona not Bologna.
I think the main question of the day is the CaTCHER + Comp. Again!
First of all, let me say that the request for the "Special" CaTCHER version is maybe 10% of all the ECM's I do. Probably not even that. Bob can confirm. Just to get things into their correct persepective...
What's really confusing is that several customers say that their special CaTCHER works fine with the Comp others instead have "problems".
I think it's not just a single "problem" that can or does cause performance problems with the CaTCHER/Comp combo. Sometimes the cause sounds like something "simple" like too much fuel, other times it seems like too much timing, yet others again look like the combination of both.
Too much fuel can be corrected easily. The Go pedal.
I've said that earlier in this thread ( I can't find it, thread is getting way too long. . ) In my mind, the ultimate reason for an power enhancer to exist, is to provide as much power as soon as possible. That translates into the fact that you can't drive the truck like with an original ECM. The original software limits the fuel to a given level in order to limit smoke and emissions.
The CaTCHER has all those limits REMOVED! Well almost... .
If you stomp on the throttle in neutral the CaTCHER will smoke like crazy...
Simply stomping onto the throttle does NOT work with the CaTCHER. That will simply translate into too much fuel and Depending on the mods done to the truck in even more fuel. Too much fuel hurts the performance and or turbo spool up!! EVERY single time you produce thick black smoke you HURT THE PERFORMANCE of your engine. So, please don't use the throttle like it was an on off switch. That does not work!
You HAVE to "baby" the throttle in the off boost conditions. That way you can drive with NO smoke AND good performance. Listen to the sound, ops music of your engine, you can HEAR when you're giving her too much fuel!
Yes, it takes a while to get used to the CaTCHER but it is not too difficult.
I believe this is more often than not the problem with the CaTCHER/Comp combination. More fuel from the CaTCHER and then even more fuel from the Comp can easily be too much. I've heard a few times, with less throttle I get better performance... Think!
The timing question. Believe me I just don't get it! The "Special" CaTCHER has an almost stock timing. All I did to the "Special" timing is to fill out the "holes" in the timing. That means, I've raised the timing where it's lower than it should be due to emissions reasons. The average timing is like the stock one. That should not cause any problem. Yet...
Another reason that comes to mind could be the SW in the comp. Maybe them guys that are happy with the Comp and the CaTCHER have a different SW in their Comp? That, I don't know. Furthermore, what if the guys @ edge change their software's often. Do you want me to write a new CaTCHER every time? Nah, c'mon. .
To come to an end. I'm under the impression that the "problems" we're having with the Comp are most likely the combination of several factors like mods done to the truck ( sticks, turbo(s) etc ) driving style and even maybe the software in the comp. That would mean that every problem has a different solution.
Marco
I was swamped yesterday. That's going to be that way for about the next six months! :{
You know that feeling when you wake up in the morning and you already know that you've got to do more than what you could, yet you HAVE to eat through all the stuff... Something got lost during the day, my answers to Bob and here... Sorry!
Quote:
"Nope-- then we wouldn't have ECMs (illegal to do in US, as Cummins sued). TST used to mod ECMs, and so did others, and Cummins sued to stop it. "
Nope, TST got sued because they used Cummins proprietary tools to do their thing. Proprietary is the key word here! I'm not using any proprietary tool ( Read hardware ) or software to do my thing...
Oh, Yeah, BTW, I'm in Verona not Bologna.
I think the main question of the day is the CaTCHER + Comp. Again!
First of all, let me say that the request for the "Special" CaTCHER version is maybe 10% of all the ECM's I do. Probably not even that. Bob can confirm. Just to get things into their correct persepective...
What's really confusing is that several customers say that their special CaTCHER works fine with the Comp others instead have "problems".
I think it's not just a single "problem" that can or does cause performance problems with the CaTCHER/Comp combo. Sometimes the cause sounds like something "simple" like too much fuel, other times it seems like too much timing, yet others again look like the combination of both.
Too much fuel can be corrected easily. The Go pedal.
I've said that earlier in this thread ( I can't find it, thread is getting way too long. . ) In my mind, the ultimate reason for an power enhancer to exist, is to provide as much power as soon as possible. That translates into the fact that you can't drive the truck like with an original ECM. The original software limits the fuel to a given level in order to limit smoke and emissions.
The CaTCHER has all those limits REMOVED! Well almost... .
If you stomp on the throttle in neutral the CaTCHER will smoke like crazy...
Simply stomping onto the throttle does NOT work with the CaTCHER. That will simply translate into too much fuel and Depending on the mods done to the truck in even more fuel. Too much fuel hurts the performance and or turbo spool up!! EVERY single time you produce thick black smoke you HURT THE PERFORMANCE of your engine. So, please don't use the throttle like it was an on off switch. That does not work!
You HAVE to "baby" the throttle in the off boost conditions. That way you can drive with NO smoke AND good performance. Listen to the sound, ops music of your engine, you can HEAR when you're giving her too much fuel!
Yes, it takes a while to get used to the CaTCHER but it is not too difficult.
I believe this is more often than not the problem with the CaTCHER/Comp combination. More fuel from the CaTCHER and then even more fuel from the Comp can easily be too much. I've heard a few times, with less throttle I get better performance... Think!
The timing question. Believe me I just don't get it! The "Special" CaTCHER has an almost stock timing. All I did to the "Special" timing is to fill out the "holes" in the timing. That means, I've raised the timing where it's lower than it should be due to emissions reasons. The average timing is like the stock one. That should not cause any problem. Yet...
Another reason that comes to mind could be the SW in the comp. Maybe them guys that are happy with the Comp and the CaTCHER have a different SW in their Comp? That, I don't know. Furthermore, what if the guys @ edge change their software's often. Do you want me to write a new CaTCHER every time? Nah, c'mon. .
To come to an end. I'm under the impression that the "problems" we're having with the Comp are most likely the combination of several factors like mods done to the truck ( sticks, turbo(s) etc ) driving style and even maybe the software in the comp. That would mean that every problem has a different solution.
Marco
Marco, Could some of the issues be related to those of us using Drag Comps instead of normal models. That would be a different software package to some extent wouldn't it? I know my truck and the other guys truck with issues are both running Drag Models. I miss the bottom-end that the Mad ECM provided a bunch but my top-end is way better without it. I'd bet that it was costing me close to 15 mph in the 1/4 with the MAD ECM installed. Which is why I was concerned about something in the Drag version not working like a normal comp. I hope you get it figured out. I'll stay in touch with Bob on when to send mine back for work.
Hmmm... .
The fact is that I've several people running Drag Comp's and they're happy with it. What gives? I have yet to find what them guys with problems have in common or not with them guys where everything works nice smooth and comfy. IF Edge uses different SW's in their Comp or Drag Comp boxes then that could be... but that would be the worst scenario!
Marco
The fact is that I've several people running Drag Comp's and they're happy with it. What gives? I have yet to find what them guys with problems have in common or not with them guys where everything works nice smooth and comfy. IF Edge uses different SW's in their Comp or Drag Comp boxes then that could be... but that would be the worst scenario!
Marco
Oh well. It sounds like time to drop back and punt. I was under no assumption that I would have to play footsy with the throttle. Believe it or not my main concern was getting rid of any 1 to 2 shift defueling and I thought I would take whatever else came with it. What I have now is obviously more trouble than it is worth.
I will just contact Bob and arrange for a refund then spend half the money and get the RAD device from BD.
I really didnt expect to get such a confrontational tone from Marco. I certainly asked all of the correct questions in the beginning and will not accept "It works for everyone else" when I have been contacted by several others who are seeing the same problems I am.
Good luck Marco
I will just contact Bob and arrange for a refund then spend half the money and get the RAD device from BD.
I really didnt expect to get such a confrontational tone from Marco. I certainly asked all of the correct questions in the beginning and will not accept "It works for everyone else" when I have been contacted by several others who are seeing the same problems I am.
Good luck Marco
I really didnt expect to get such a confrontational tone from Marco. I certainly asked all of the correct questions in the beginning and will not accept "It works for everyone else" when I have been contacted by several others who are seeing the same problems I am.
Good luck Marco[/QUOTE]
Please excuse my interjection here but I think this is a mis quote.
Hmmm... .
The fact is that I've several people running Drag Comp's and they're happy with it. What gives? I have yet to find what them guys with problems have in common or not with them guys where everything works nice smooth and comfy. IF Edge uses different SW's in their Comp or Drag Comp boxes then that could be... but that would be the worst scenario!
Marco
Compatability issues with the CaTCHER & the Comp. have been discussed for some time. The results have been mixed. Your frustration is understandable. Perhaps Marco would have been justified in simply stating that the CaTCHER & the comp don't play well together but he's been trying to solve that problem. Perhaps the best way to get the CaTCHER bottom end & a hot wire tapped top end is with the Blue Chip Red Line.
Good luck Marco[/QUOTE]
Please excuse my interjection here but I think this is a mis quote.
Hmmm... .
The fact is that I've several people running Drag Comp's and they're happy with it. What gives? I have yet to find what them guys with problems have in common or not with them guys where everything works nice smooth and comfy. IF Edge uses different SW's in their Comp or Drag Comp boxes then that could be... but that would be the worst scenario!
Marco
Compatability issues with the CaTCHER & the Comp. have been discussed for some time. The results have been mixed. Your frustration is understandable. Perhaps Marco would have been justified in simply stating that the CaTCHER & the comp don't play well together but he's been trying to solve that problem. Perhaps the best way to get the CaTCHER bottom end & a hot wire tapped top end is with the Blue Chip Red Line.
Something I've wondered about for the Comp/Catcher combo:
If the boost fooler in the Comp is sending false info to the ECM after ~20psi, what is the Catcher doing for mapping the fuel curve? Should I remove the Comp from the MAP circuit? Will anything change if the Catcher is getting the ACTUAL boost numbers?
... and, of course, who shot JR?
If the boost fooler in the Comp is sending false info to the ECM after ~20psi, what is the Catcher doing for mapping the fuel curve? Should I remove the Comp from the MAP circuit? Will anything change if the Catcher is getting the ACTUAL boost numbers?
... and, of course, who shot JR?
Marco when you Flash my ECm ,, I just have a 8. 0 Comp with no drag program .
I would rather you be sure it will Work/Run smooth other than taking a chance for 10 HP I just want my truck back together and for it to be right and stay that way .
Give me the Extra safe program that you are possitive it will work with my comp on 5x5 and when my comp is off.
At this point I Dont really care how much HP/TQ I have I just want it to Run Good across the whole curve and be able to play when I want.
Sacrifice a few HP just to be sure my truck will be 100% ..... ANYTIME!!!!
Thanks
Chad
BTW ... . Bob is there anyway you can give me my ECM program # please ??
I would rather you be sure it will Work/Run smooth other than taking a chance for 10 HP I just want my truck back together and for it to be right and stay that way .
Give me the Extra safe program that you are possitive it will work with my comp on 5x5 and when my comp is off.
At this point I Dont really care how much HP/TQ I have I just want it to Run Good across the whole curve and be able to play when I want.
Sacrifice a few HP just to be sure my truck will be 100% ..... ANYTIME!!!!
Thanks
Chad
BTW ... . Bob is there anyway you can give me my ECM program # please ??
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Bob Wagner
TDR MEMBER
I am here to take the fall for dieslbombs problem 
I marked dieselbombs ecm for 02/auto/federal and I did not mark it for the special flash 
OOOPS :{
Sorry
I marked dieselbombs ecm for 02/auto/federal and I did not mark it for the special flash OOOPS :{
Sorry
Marco, I finally got to the end of this thread, it's like reading a long, long book... .
Per iniziare, tanti saluti al Veronese da un Milanese... .
but long time transfered to Minneapolis, MN.
Ok, my question is I have a stock '99 auto, I need more power at low rpms and mainly to pull trailers.
Will this work for me or will be better get another fueling box ?
I know you probably heard this question hundreds of times, and answer is complicated, thanks again for your attention.
Saluti
Val Vignati
Per iniziare, tanti saluti al Veronese da un Milanese... .
but long time transfered to Minneapolis, MN. Ok, my question is I have a stock '99 auto, I need more power at low rpms and mainly to pull trailers.
Will this work for me or will be better get another fueling box ?
I know you probably heard this question hundreds of times, and answer is complicated, thanks again for your attention.
Saluti
Val Vignati
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Subscribe
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