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

[ROADWARRIOR]

I didn't have time to read all 39 pages of this thread to see if this question has been brought up, so forgive me if it has.



From my understanding, the stock Cummins software will retard timing under certain loaded conditions to reduce cylinder pressures. After reading of a few members on here toasting their engines while towing with their Comp box on and the potential hazards of advanced timing, I would like to know if Marco's software version has this safety feature programmed in. If it doesn't, I guess I wouldn't want it, since you can't turn it off for heavy towing.



Thanks,

Dan

 

[John - K5AWO]

The reports that I have read on this ECM upgrade so far have indicated that the temps are running 50-75 *F cooler when towing.



Guys correct me if I am wrong?

 

[darkhorse]

I haven't been towing with mine yet. What I can say is that under similar conditions I see no change in temperature. I do like feeling the power of the CaTCHER as I charge up the steep coulee hills around here & while doing that I find it reached 1,100* a little easier. I can't really address ROADWORRIOR's question on timing but I do recall Marco posted about his numerous European costomers who commercially haul over the Alps. He has had no complaints & much praise from that group.

 

[jtisdale]

whats a coulee?



Is it possible to burn an engine with too much timing while egts stay in check?

 

[darkhorse]

The coulees in this neck of the woods are those steep side valleys in the river bluffs. As to your second question; cyliders #5&6 tend to run hotter than the others so the temp at the outlet of the manifoldmay look safe when say # 6 is going above the melting point of aluminum alloy.

 

[RCone]

I can't really address ROADWORRIOR's question on timing but I do recall Marco posted about his numerous European costomers who commercially haul over the Alps. He has had no complaints & much praise from that group.

That's what I based my decision on. Before I got the CaTCHER I tow (heavy) on 1x1. Temperatures actually less than towing without the box on. Haven't yet towed with CaTCHER. When I do, I will report back but don't plan on doing it before Labor Day.



Roger

 

[John - K5AWO]

MAD ECM, is it normal yet??

That's what I based my decision on. Before I got the CaTCHER I tow (heavy) on 1x1. Temperatures actually less than towing without the box on.

Roger, now that the "new" has become more familiar, do you find driving in normal city traffic to be easier?



1) How is smoke control for normal traffic stop and go?



2) Do you find yourself having to "watch" the pedal control or has it started to become more natural without so much thought devoted ot it?



3) For these two conditions, will there be anything to cause neighboring drivers to notice you? Or, for that matter, the patrol officers?



I try to "blend in" and having a white truck helps in that regard.



Have you or someone else followed your truck and commented on smoke with average driving without aggressive throttle control?



-John

 

[darkhorse]

John, I can speak to those questions. #1) As far as smoke control goes, The CaTCHER is very much like my old EZ on the first jumper setting. #2) After about 300 miles of practice I'm finding it fairly easy not to blow smoke. #3) What others might notice & what may become a potential problem with Mr. Law Enforcement is how fast you disappear ahead of them.

 

[darkhorse]

I towed my heavy steel gooseneck horse trailer with a couple of horses in it last night. Total weight about 7,000 lb. Marco's fuleing program makes hill climbing a breeze. Even with the sensative throttle I had no trouble giving the horses a smooth ride. EGT never went over 1,000*

 

[RCone]

Way to go Richard. Glad to here it. I will be towing hills heavy labor day weekend. Will report back then with more info. So far I love it!



Answering John in the order he posed his questions:



1, Smoke control in normal traffic no problem. I do have a different opinion than TCourse however. He is running Mach 3's and I am running Mach 2. 4's. He stated that 1x1 actually reduced his smoke. With my setup, it didn't for me. Made more smoke.



2. Watching to go pedal is more natural now. Had to re-learn. Except other morning it sprinkled and my one legged truck broke right rear tire loose when I wasn't expecting it.



3. I believe I can be inconspicious to other drivers and cops and I want to be.



4. I like to blend in also (forest green truck usually with a 5th wheel hitch in bed) but sometimes there are those that notice my 6" big hog tip as it kinda stands out.



5. Have not followed my own truck. Don't let anyone else drive it even my wife (jus kidding actually she has once). No reports from others following me. However, I had occassion to run a Woodburn, OR all truck drags yesterday. Wife watched one of my qualifying runs. She stated that I smoked way less than my 4 buddies trucks that ran. But... ..... I do have the smallest injectors but also one of the smallest turbos. We all run DonM's Mach Injectors ranging in size from 2. 4 (mine) up to Rip Rooks (sourceautomotive. biz) huge Mach 6's (with twins) and the other two were Mach 3's and a older set of Mach 3. 8's.



I don't mean to hijack this thread but I will tell you my 7400# truck with the 5ver hitch in the bed and all of my other stuff, ran 13. 49 at 101. 25mph (77 degrees). I don't honestly know how much the CaTCHER had to do with that, but I am so pleased that I am retiring my truck from racing (I've only raced it on two occassions) and just gonna use it for pulling and daily driver.



Thank you all for your indulgence on my longwindedness but I hope I've provided some of the detail that you all are wanting to know.



Roger

 

[John - K5AWO]

Answering John in the order he posed his questions:



Roger

Roger,

Thanks you so much for the detailed answer. That is not long winded, that is attention to detail and answering what I wanted to know.



I know it is early in the MAD ECM game for us in the states, but my truck is stock and was trying to glean some kind of feeling for how the smoke issue will be with stock injectors.



I want to do the ECM first, drive that for 2 or 3 months and then make an educated guess as to whether I want or even need larger injectors.



My primary goal is 1) mpg, and 2) moderately improved performance whilst trying to stay within the capabilities of the stock transmission.



Thanks again Roger,



and DarkHorse. Good to hear that it is working out great for your needs also. I like hearing that the EGTs are not hard to control.



-John

 

[sparks57]

I'm still not sure on this whole concept.



Does this thing add more zero boost fuel, or changes the fueling curve once boost is made? Both?



Can similair results be had from tuning a Comp box?



I'm new to the 24v engine, so pardon my ignorance.



I would REALLY like to see some before and after dyno curves. I understand that it doesn't add max HP, just gives better low end, but I want to see it on paper.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I would REALLY like to see some before and after dyno curves. I understand that it doesn't add max HP, just gives better low end, but I want to see it on paper.

UNH-HUHhhhhhh - YOU, and several hundred OTHER guys...

 

[RCone]

Gary & CB, I honestly wish I could provide you with some numbers. Unfortunately I can't. That will have to be left to someone else who is just starting out. However, I will say this. When I first went on this bombing kick with my 2nd Cummins, originally, all I had was gauges, 4" exhaust, HY35 turbo, Valve body and an EZ. I can only say, that by the SOP meter the CaTCHER is way more on the bottom end than the EZ and is certainly no slouch on the top end either. I don't know if it is for everybody. Exponentially, 80% more of this gets you 20% more of that. At some point it comes to a point of diminishing returns. I wanted it, I tried it, I like it. The true test for me ( and I know Gary will appreciate this) is how will it work for me towing heaving up steep hills. I will find out as I intend to go at the end of September to W. Yellowstone. There will be some pretty good climbs for me. I will let you know exactly how it went.



The product is new, the proof will be in the pudding and I hope it works out for all concerned. But, you know the old saying, different strokes for different folks.



Regards,



Roger



Ps. The green monster is now retired from racing. I have proved my point to myself and I am the most important in that sense, and now my truck is relegated to a daily driver and hopefully awesome puller which is what I bought it for originally!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I truly hope that when someone DOES get the setup dynoed, they will actually post the graph so we can see where the new setup kicks in the most compared to stock - I've already posted a graph on mine at stock, mid-setting and full on with the Comp - might sorta serve as a base comparison, since I have no other power mods...

 

[Marco]

Hi all,



Here's 'ol Marco from the vacation. Today we're in Korcula, great neat little town in the Adriatic sea. So far vacation is a BLAST!



I'm sure glad to hear that most problems have been solved now.

Altough I've not seen a report from Amillstream, I sure hope his ECM works too!



Murle, sorry to hear that you still have problems! Two different ECM's, two different softwares still the same problem... . Hmmmmmmmm... .



As soon as I'll be back home ( that'll be much too soon :{ :{ :{ ) we'll take care of you! PLEASE do what ever you can to get the software version outta your truck. Thanks... .



OK, back to vacation now... Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.



Marco

P. S. Edited cuz toooo much typoes... OMG vacation here I'm back to you!!!

 

[Murle]

Marco? Marco who?... You have been gone so long I just can't remember who you are... .



Ok... . how do I get the software out of my truck???? I tried my 45 colt, but it won't give it up.

 

[KatDiesel]

RCone -



Would you post what you did to obtain the software version? Did you just goto a Dodge Dealer and have them hook up the DRBIII ??? Maybe I can get my version before Marco returns... ... ... .....



Heres a thread from DTR that was posted earlier this year :

MAD ECM



Here is a "current" thread :

MAD ECM

 

[PRyker]

Guys,



I received my ECM from Doug. Mine was one of them that Marco had to fix. There was a piece of tape on it that Marco wrote "replaced chip working ok?". I am going to install it tonight. I have my fingers crossed.



If it works fine I will be taking my truck to mason dixon TDR dyno event this weekend and dynoing before and after. I WILL POST THE RESULTS. as long as my ECM works...



Oh, what size wrench to install the ECM again? Looks tight down there. any advice on removal and installation of the new one?



Thanks



Phil

 

[Murle]

10mm. And if you will take the two bolts on top of your fuel filter bracket and pull the fuel filter out of the way it will be easier to get to the ecm. I have had a lot of practice. This is not flamming Marco... . Just been there and done that, and done that, and done that... ...