Cummins ECM Hacking

[Marco]

Yes

Yes it should work.



Marco

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMMmm - surprised at the pronounced stair-stepping of the displayed fuel curve - I would think it would be FAR smoother...



And once more, before I give up, Marco, do you think there is ANY hope that EXTERNAL manipulation of sensor(s) could "trick" the ECM into thinking the temperatures are higher, and eliminate those whose hesitation problems are apparently only caused in cold weather? I'm thinking small values of fixed resistance in series or parallel with the appropriate sensor, whichever might accomplish the desired result - it could even be switched in and out as climate/temp changes if desired...

 

[Marco]

HMMMmm - surprised at the pronounced stair-stepping of the displayed fuel curve

That's because I've "zoomed" the table to show the difference between stock and modified table. In reality they're smooth enough to appear as if they were flat.

, do you think there is ANY hope that EXTERNAL manipulation of sensor

I don't think so... Hey I do not know everything...



Marco



Edit for typo. I need some typing school...

 

[dcamilleri]

Marco,

You are a wealth of information. I truly enjoy reading your posts. When I installed my 01 24v ETC into my 85 Suburban, the engine would not rev past 1900 rpms (the engine came with an automatic and I went with a manual) It was recommended that I reflash the ECM. So off to Cummins Rocky Mountain I went. The tech hooked up the Cummins insite tool and we started searching for different versions of software to reflash with. If I remember right there were at least 8 different versions and they were labeled by HP and Torque and that was all. We tried 3 different programs before the engine would run propperly. Now it revs to 3600 rpms. At one point the tech asked if I wanted to download the H. O. version 245hp/505tq, but I told him no because someone told me that I would actually lose power with these settings. Does this seem logical to you? and Why? any explanation would be greatly appreciated. And also any thoughts on the cummins high output ecm that they sell for these trucks. Thanks

 

[Northerner]

would the ECM from an 04. 5 work in an 04 with the desired extra hp and tourque?

 

[fencebuilders]

The S. O. to H. O. transformation is VERY interesting

 

[justinp20012500]

Originally posted by dcamilleri

Marco,

You are a wealth of information. I truly enjoy reading your posts. When I installed my 01 24v ETC into my 85 Suburban, the engine would not rev past 1900 rpms (the engine came with an automatic and I went with a manual) It was recommended that I reflash the ECM. So off to Cummins Rocky Mountain I went. The tech hooked up the Cummins insite tool and we started searching for different versions of software to reflash with. If I remember right there were at least 8 different versions and they were labeled by HP and Torque and that was all. We tried 3 different programs before the engine would run propperly. Now it revs to 3600 rpms. At one point the tech asked if I wanted to download the H. O. version 245hp/505tq, but I told him no because someone told me that I would actually lose power with these settings. Does this seem logical to you? and Why? any explanation would be greatly appreciated. And also any thoughts on the cummins high output ecm that they sell for these trucks. Thanks

I have also been told this by many. The ETH does not respond as well as the ETC does to performance boxes??? I would like some incite on this...

 

[Bob Wagner]

I just installed Marco Catcher ecm on my truck this morning This ecm program is the real deal.



This upgrade is more than I expected.



MARCO YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thank you #ad






Its like driving a whole different truck

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

So Bob give us some details, is it commercially available now? Where from and how much?

 

[Bob Wagner]

Tim, I was given a chance to get the ecm, so I went out and found an ecm for my 01 auto.



Doug Conrad at Advanced Diesel Technology has been working with marco on this project for over 4 years.



I have been looking for a way to get to another level without piercing the wire on the vp44 and this is a very viable option.



I have not even tried to run the comp on ez mode with this ecm.



It just flat out hauls ass with nothing but the Mach 2. 4 injectors.



The turbo spool up is outta this world. Going through the gears is unreal.



Its really hard to describe the difference, you really have to go for a ride and feel the difference.



I am one happy camper for sure. You can not compare this to a fueling/timing box . This is so smooth through the whole power band. You really gotta feel the acceleration difference.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by Bob Wagner

Its really hard to describe the difference, you really have to go for a ride and feel the difference... ..... This is so smooth through the whole power band. You really gotta feel the acceleration difference.

Bob, hurry up and get some hiway miles on that rig!!! and give us some numbers on how the miles/gallon numbers work out.



I am willing to bet it is better than what you have been getting.



Has Marco worked on the ECM for the older models?



John

 

[TBrennan]

This is a third gen???

 

[Bob Wagner]

Originally posted by TBrennan

This is a third gen???

No, mine is an 01 etc

 

[stevenknapp]

Make, Motorola like the VP ones.



Yup. Different design team FWIW.



The only way to modify it is via OBD. The flash prom resides inside the all new MPC555 Motorola CPU. No chip to unsolder there...



Aw, come on. There are folks who can rework those packages. But why? There are other ways to reprogram other than OBD.



The problem with a flashable mod is that the less honest could mod, then go back to stock and get warranty coverage. Even the micro vendors are getting into the act with different "censorship" features. For example the new MPC5554 has some such features.

 

[tcourse]

I drove Bob Wagners truck yesterday and the power band is unreal. No waiting for boost. It's like you can't feel the transition when the turbo spools, just smooth power from off idle to full throttle.

Like Bob said it is hard to explain the difference, but it seems to be in the sweet spot at any RPM. I drove Bobs truck with bigger injectors and the box on and it feels like it has a lot more power with just the ECM change and the smaller 2. 4's.

If it proves to be reliable and I could pick one mod, this would be it.

I WANT ONE.



TC

 

[JasonH]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

HMMMmm - surprised at the pronounced stair-stepping of the displayed fuel curve - I would think it would be FAR smoother...



And once more, before I give up, Marco, do you think there is ANY hope that EXTERNAL manipulation of sensor(s) could "trick" the ECM into thinking the temperatures are higher, and eliminate those whose hesitation problems are apparently only caused in cold weather? I'm thinking small values of fixed resistance in series or parallel with the appropriate sensor, whichever might accomplish the desired result - it could even be switched in and out as climate/temp changes if desired...

Other suggestions



1. Determine the type of sensor (analog/digital)

2. Range of voltage the sensor produces via service manual.

3. Datalog the sensor readings throughout operating temps

4. Replace if not within spec

5. Add an in-line active amplifier that has adjustable gain. This shifts the level only and not the shape of the curve.

6. Add an amp that is non-linear in gain. The amp adds more amplitude in some regions and less in others.

 

[Marco]

I'm swamped here lately... I'm not spending much time on the TDR so please be patient with me...



I'll try to answer your questions shortly...



Dcamilleri.

The automatic file in the ECM was in limp mode since it got no comunication from the PCM. The file for the stick does not need that comunication.

Yup, the ETC file will not work with the ETH pump and vice versa.

The ETH pump ( file) opens the fuel solenoid later; it prduces higher fuel pressure. That's also the reason the ETH does not respond to the fuelling boxes like the ETC does.

The Cummins high output ECM? Forget it...



Northerner

would the ECM from an 04. 5 work in an 04 with the desired extra hp and tourque?



Nope, the 04. 5 ECM ( and software) controlls also the transmission while the 04 does not.



fencebuilders

The S. O. to H. O. transformation is VERY interesting.



Yes the spftware from the HO will work in the SO... only problem is how to flash it into the ECM. It can be done with the DRBIII hacking the DC software system. . or... .



justinp20012500

I have also been told this by many. The ETH does not respond as well as the ETC does to performance boxes??? I would like some incite on this...



Different software ( see above ) and different VP... The software from one will not work well with the other.



John - K5AWO



Has Marco worked on the ECM for the older models?



Yes, Marco has worked on all models.



tcourse



If it proves to be reliable...



These ECM's are just as reliable as the stock ones.



JasonH



I'm sorry but it's not that simple. The "fuel curve" is used by a derived value. It uses load calculation to determine which value to use inside the fuel table.

Load is calculated more or less in this way : Rated Rpm divided actual Rpm multiplied by the correction factors like IAT, boost, engine temp and so on. So fooling one sensor does not do the trick... .



A last ( personal) note.

CaTCHER stands for Clutch and Traction Callenger.

And that's what it really is, no joke.

The torque comes on without any delay. You might think that's great. Yes it is, but it has also a downside.



On a wet or otherwise slippery road one can loose traction in a split second, if you stand too hard on the loud pedal.



Been there done that several times.



Soooo, before we have to read about crashed trucks and ( let's hope NOT) injured people, be carefull!!! Use the loud pedal with a grain of salt when the traction on the road is anything less than perfect!!! Thanks...



Marco

 

[tcourse]

Do I understand it correct.

Can I use a 99 SO on a 98. 5 SO?



TC

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by stevenknapp

The problem with a flashable mod is that the less honest could mod, then go back to stock and get warranty coverage.

Where does the problem part enter the picture?

 

[JasonH]

Originally posted by Marco

JasonH



I'm sorry but it's not that simple. The "fuel curve" is used by a derived value. It uses load calculation to determine which value to use inside the fuel table.

Load is calculated more or less in this way : Rated Rpm divided actual Rpm multiplied by the correction factors like IAT, boost, engine temp and so on. So fooling one sensor does not do the trick... .



Marco

Yes, I know that . I wasn't trying to imply that the ECM could be spoofed that easily into making more power.