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

[darkhorse]

Now that sounds a little confusing Gary. By that second tag I would say you have a Federal truck, but the other tag says it's California, ... . sounds self contradicting to me. What gives?

 

[jrobinson2]

Re: ECM or PCM?

Originally posted by pro68dodgedart





Where do i send it to or what is the address?

How much is it now?

How long does it take?

Any ECM or PCM will do yr make?

>>>Price and contact info here: Advanced diesel tecnology<<<

Marco is on vacation for three weeks starting next week so I bet it will be at least a month any 24valve dodge ECM will work

Jared

 

[DOUGMartin]

Ok the only ? I have is will some one trade me a built auto for say my wife so i can get one of these with out worrying about blowing up my trany?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

DOUGMartin said: "... will some one trade me a built auto for say my wife... "



Tell us her stats - I'm sure someone will take you up on that offer.



Matt

 

[RACE427]

Horsepower and Torque

When an engine controller is reprogrammed one will change the initial time BTDC of the fuel delivery and the amount of time the fuel is delivered . Old time hot rodders will remember the days of re-curved ignition distributors and larger CFM carburetors on gasoline engines. This was done to increase both HP & torque. Diesel engines are no different is this respect. You will notice a sizeable increase of your Cummins HP and Torque output numbers. Causing the turbo to make more positive pressure will also boost HP and torque.



Marco's reprogrammed ECM will give you alot of bang for the buck. As long as the EPA does not catch up with him, all will be good. I do not believe they can can actually prosecute him in Italy. Those of us in the states might be in a different situation.



Some states have either an annual or bi-annual Diesel emissions inspection program. Here in NY we are required to measure the "Opacity" of the exhaust at the stacks while we give the engine 3 full throttle bursts in neutral. The "Opacity meter" measures how much soot is being emitted into the atmosphere. Too much smoke means no emissions sticker.



NY State Police have been known to issue citations for any trucks running around spewing black smoke out their exhaust stacks. Funny how I do not see any Macks belching black smoke running the LIE these days. A thought to keep in mind.



I know for a fact that all of your horsepower and torque numbers are up quite a bit. Who ever hits the dyno first will be in for a surprise.



Enjoy your re-programmed ECMs for as long as this chapter lasts. Just some thoughts I needed to post.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Those of us in the states might be in a different situation.





Actually not all that different from the many other power adding stuff already in use - but at least in the case of boxes like the Edge Comp, they CAN be turned off - others might have to be removed to return to stock for inspection...



BUT, if ya got stopped for too much smoke with the non-switched stuff, yer outta luck - but I suspect that is pretty rare for most...

 

[RACE427]

Smoke

I do not think this would be rare for California. We have a much tougher inspection program here in downstate NY than you have in California. Our emissions testing is done every year while you are bi-yearly. We test with a V-Mass while you do not.



Willing to bet that if you were out crusing the Freeway system with a truck belching black smoke a trooper would pull you over and have a field day!! LOL



Just cam back from 10 days in So Cal. , nayurally the weather was beautiful but the Smog did suck !!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Our emissions testing is done every year while you are bi-yearly.



HMMMmmm - the EPA and similar bunches must not have heard about that up here in the sticks of northern California - I've been driving a diesel since '91, and NEVER been tested yet...

 

[BTowler]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

but I suspect that is pretty rare for most... [/B]

For now, but if we start blowing alot more smoke it WILL become a daily thing! Thats why all these guys that talk about how cool it is to blot out the sun drive me up the wall, they have to realize they are going to screw it up for everybody!

 

[RACE427]

Emissions Testing

Here within the NYC Metro area, and I mean the surrounding areas, Diesel trucks above 8500 GVWR are tested yearly for excessive soot from the stacks. As I mentioned earlier, it is extremely rare to see a big rig belching black smoke on the Long Island Expressway or the NY State Thruway. I also know that they will not be traveling to far before they are stopped and ticketed for their contribution to the atmosphere. I am sure that the LA area is just as tough when it comes to visible soot!!! When driving up to LA it is difficult to see the mountains in the background with all the smog. Costa Mesa was nice and so was San Diego but when you drive inland, forget it! You have a serious air quality issue that needs every driver's help to try and correct. Sorry, just the way I see it.

 

[RACE427]

Educational

There is agreat book published by "Motorbooks" titled " How to tune and ModifyElectronic Engine Controls" Has to do with gasoline engines but, the priciples are the same. A ECM is an ECM no matter what kind of engine it is managing!! This books makes for great reading and very, very educational to boot!!

 

[John - K5AWO]

RACE427



is this the one you mean? I can't find the title you mentioned.

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

Modern Engine Tuning

by A Graham Bell





Hard Bound; 272 pages

6. 5w x 9. 25h

ISBN: 1859608663

Catalog Id: 135362

Usually Ships in 24 Hours



List Price: $34. 95



Description: First published in 1989 as Tuning New Generation Engines, this best-selling book has been fully updated to include the latest developments in four-stroke engine technology in the era of pollution controls, unleaded and low-lead petrol, and electronic management systems. It explains in non-technical language how modern engines can be modified for road and club competition use, with the emphasis on power and economy, and how electronic management systems and emission controls work.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

RACE427 said: "NY State Police have been known to issue citations for any trucks running around spewing black smoke out their exhaust stacks. "



The NY State Environmental Conservation officers do the same thing. I happen to know one of them very well and that was one of the first assignments he had. They randomly stopped and checked trucks for opacity while doing the 'snap-idle test'...



Matt

 

[Murle]

Ok, I'm starting to get pixx off. Got my ECM from Marco this morning. Installed. Did the fuel peddle cal. Cranked it up. Run rough idle 3 times and died. NO PEDDLE RESPONSE. DEAD PEDDLE. Redid the peddle cal. Same thing. Rev up 3 times and dies. Turned off the air. It will idle and not die... . NO PEDDLE RESPONSE. Also have now Accessory when the key is turned to accessory. What gives?????

 

[John - K5AWO]

What has happened sounds like you have a program that is not matched to your particular vehicle.



Give Doug a call and see what can be worked out. If you have followed the thread, you should be aware of the most current discovery in that Marco must know exactly what software version your current ECM is.



California software will not work in a Federal truck and vice-versa.



Marco is on vacation for three weeks...



Inflammatory remarks are uncalled for. You knew going in that the ECM programming will have a few kinks until all the different truck softwares have been discovered. This is the leading edge of progressive bombing... . not the tail end of a proven manufacturing concept.



Cool thoughts are what is required... and a dose of patience.

 

[Murle]

John - K5AWO...



This is the second ECM... ... Maro was give all that Info that you described. I think I have been patience. If you have followed the thead you would have read that I have been talking to Marco and Doug. About the problems with the first ecm. Not to speak of all the PM's. It is just this is getting old... and costly on all the returned ECM's. So don't go off half cocked until you have taken off your ecm as many times as I have... ...

 

[FFL8N]

OK Murle... Grow up and take responsibility for your own actions. You sent them the ECM. You asked them to change the programing. You PAID them to do these things. We all knew this was new technology. Be patient and I am sure Marco and Doug will either get things fixed or get you back stock. Take that for what it is.

 

[Murle]

Originally posted by FF1607

OK Murle... Grow up and take responsibility for your own actions. You sent them the ECM. You asked them to change the programing. You PAID them to do these things. We all knew this was new technology. Be patient and I am sure Marco and Doug will either get things fixed or get you back stock. Take that for what it is.

It is not the risk, I was and have taken the risk... . but I'm am going to post my feelings here and let the others decide for themselves if they want to take the risk. I know things will work out. In 3 or 4 weeks now. But before you start judging, take a few ecm's off yourself in this 100 degree Texas heat.



Next time you take your truck and get it worked on, don't get upset the first time it is not fixed and don't get upset the second time it is not fixed... if fact when do you get upset???? The 10th or 11th time it is not fixed???? The main problem I have right now is that it will be 3 or 4 weeks before the problem will be tried to be fixed again.....

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

C'mon guys - a bit of frustration over major issues is pretty normal - as is venting over them. Sure, patience IS needed for a product in it's infancy - but what is NOT needed is attempted muzzling of those reporting serious problems - this stuff MUST be kept out in the open and reported fairly for the better flow of status to those still unsure of whether to leap in or wait a bit - no, we're not all "pioneers" or well-heeled enough to take unnecessary chances.



All this stuff WILL get sorted out, and all variables identified and taken care of - it just takes TIME!

 

[Murle]

Now, guys... I never said I was pixx off. I said I was STARTING to get pixx off. Call Doug and see if I'm upset... I think he is more upset than I am. What really upsets me is someone trying to tell me when I should or should not get upset... .