Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Early ISB Factory Reflash?

[rjrkihap]

Do you remember back in late '99 when Dodge began reflashing our trucks. If I remember correctly, this reflash was designed to reduce emissions. I also remember that a lot of us lost both mileage and power following the reflash.



Does anyone remember what the reflash effected? The reason I ask is recently I installed a Quadzilla Max Mileage Module. Since then I have noticed a moderate increase in mileage and a bit more power. Nothing huge, however, perhaps similar to how the truck ran before the reflash. I know all the Quadzilla will adjust is timing, therefore can I assume that the reflash performed back in '99 was a timing adjustment?



Just curious. Thanks for any input.



RJR

 

[VicR]

I kind of remember a reflash, but I'm not seeing the emissions one on the list:



1999 Ram TSB index



I'll dig through my paperwork and see if I have the info on it. I'm sure I saved it.



I wonder if the Smarty would put it back?



-Vic

 

[BWagnaar]

A friend if mine bought his 98. 5 brand new, he said for the first 8-13 months the truck would take off fast from a dead stop. The dealer said he need to come in a get it reflashed and ever since than it never took off the same from a stop. We think they added the Torque Management, but thats just a guess.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

My truck had it done, I think it was called the "nox flash" or something like that.



What kind of mileage gain did you get?



Dan

 

[Murray]

I took my truck to DC for a new vp in 2002 lost 2 mpg. I do know that I have the latest ecm program as per cummins last week. Maybe that is why I lost the mpgs. Would like to get them back. . The wo doesnt say they reflashed it but they must have.

 

[rjrkihap]

I have not logged enough miles yet to make a absolute statement about mileage increase, however, right now I am seeing about 1. 5 to 2 mpg increase. The truck seems slightly more responsive and I do notice a bit more power. Nothing huge, more along the lines of driving with and without a heavy load in the bed.



I talked with Quadzilla last night and found out that the Max Mileage Module includes a boost fooler. I wonder if the fooler will add any upper end power?



Ron

 

[isb360]

There was a change in the emissions requirements laws back then and companies including Cat, Cummins, Mack, Volvo, and others all got caught up in what appeared to be a legitimate loophole in the rules about idle emissions versus level cruise emissions on the highway. Of course, all manufacturers leaned towards the better performance and better mileage settings on their vehicles,,,,but it had an effect on emissions.

EPA came around and closed the loophole. Manufacturers' solutions were ECM reflashes... . it affected far more than just our vehicles.



In my personal experience, I also lost some MPG and a teeny bit of power. But nothing some injectors, a Smarty, and a TST box wouldn't fix



My head still hurts trying to figure out HOW, if the truck is going 2 fewer miles for every gallon of diesel burned, how it could have had less emissions after the reflash than before. I smell politicians... !



Tim

 

[isb360]

I'm sure there are more articles out there, but here is a link to one article that describes a bit about what happened back then:



NRDC Press Archive: NRDC Applauds 13-State Action to Clean Up Dirty Diesels; Assails Engine Makers for their Dirty Diesels



Tim

 

[damar]

I am considering getting the Quad Max Mileage but all my rubber grommets are full. I haven't yet figured out where I can drill the 1" hole, per Quadzilla Tech, to get the connectors through the firewall. If the cables are long enough I could drill on the passenger side. Too bad it isn't weather proof so you could mount it inside the engine compartment. Any advise for the needy??

 

[damar]

First Max Mileage Tow

I have been making trips from Deming, NM to Tucson, AZ on I-10 pulling a 33ft Sunnybrook TT for four years. I always fuel at the same Truck Stops on each trip. Avg MPG towing Dec 06 = 12. 184, May 07 = 11. 814, Dec 07 = 13. 749 ( Max Mileage Module). Eastbound from Benson, AZ you climb from the river bottom up to what is called Texas Canyon, it's really a mountain pass between 2 relatively level stretches of the Interstate. Always in the past I have had to drop to 3rd gear, watch my EGT gauge and back off when ETG goes into the yellow at 850 post turbo. I always keep the torque converter locked when climbing a grade. The trip just completed I pulled the grade in 4th,TC locked up and never got below 60 MPH. The EGT never got above 825 degrees and I didn't have to back out to keep them stable. I passed some big rigs climbing the grade. I am surprised at the improved performance and increased fuel mileage. I will be taking a trip to Omaha, NE in May and will get a greater number of fuel fills and more data to look at. My son lives there and I have made the trip towing 3 times and keep records of fuel usage. It will be interesting to compare results for all four trips.

__________________

 

[rjrkihap]

Hi All,



It's been several months now since I installed my Quadzilla M3. I too have noticed about 1. 5 MPG improvement and a definite although slight increase in power (the truck is a bit more peppy).



Ron

 

[WestTN]

Retarding the timing will preduce peak cylinder pressure and temperature, thereby reducing NOx output.



The Smarty tuner will increase timig on the odd numbered programs, but not on the evens.