Computer? - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: Computer?
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This may be a dumb question, but would any adjustments have to be made to the computer if mods are added? Like an exhaust system, cold-air intake, or the HO cams/intake manifold.

b1llyw
DakotaEnthusiast

6/28/2003
07:09:21

RE: Computer?
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Your stock computer can adjust to the mods you've mentioned. You don't have to have computer mods until you get into more aggressive cams, head work, etc.

Bill White
2002 QC 4x4, SLT , 4.7, 5 spd, 3.92 LSD
1995 CC 4x2, SLT, 318, 5 spd, 3.55 LSD

graphiteRT
R/T

6/28/2003
11:49:29

RE: Computer?
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I assume since you said HO you are referring to a 4.7

The 4.7L doesn't respond well to the HO parts additions. Yeah, it may pick up small gains, but no where near what it should with the mods. From the factory, the PCMs for those two motors are quite different and bolting HO parts onto a non-HO controlled motor is not the best thing to do for your dollar spent.

There are some PCM tweaking efforts in progress. They just wrapped up a performance flash for the stock 4.7L and will start on a flash for the HO 4.7 next week. Those should roll on out the street in the next few weeks.

Don't expect the gains on the 4.7L with PCM tweaks that we're used to on the 5.2 and 5.9 stuff. The 4.7L is much more efficiently tuned from the factory than either of the two legacy motors, so there wasn't as much left on the table.

Bob
'01 Graphite CC R/T, MP headers, Magnaflow muffler into 'Cuda style exhaust, M1 2bbl, ported 2.02 R/T heads, custom grind cam, Crower SS rockers, Paxton Novi2000, Boyd's 20s w/Dunlop SP9000s, Featured in April '03 Sport Truck, Viper 4 wheel discs

Stampede
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

6/29/2003
00:23:23

RE: Computer?
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What components make the difference between the 4.7 & 4.7 HO? Is it just the cams, intake, and PCM? Given what you said about the PCM, is there any way to adapt the HO parts to the standard 4.7 and get the desired HO performance?

graphiteRT
R/T

6/29/2003
15:22:32

RE: Computer?
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Without computer tweaks you will not realize the full potential of HO parts on your non-HO motor/PCM. Ditto for aftermarket cams. You could have someone copy the fuel and spark tables of a HO program into your non-HO PCM, but I don't think that's worth the cost.

Sit tight for a few more weeks. The HO performance tune should be worth the wait and you'll get more bang for your buck.

Bob
'01 Graphite CC R/T, MP headers, Magnaflow muffler into 'Cuda style exhaust, M1 2bbl, ported 2.02 R/T heads, custom grind cam, Crower SS rockers, Paxton Novi2000, Boyd's 20s w/Dunlop SP9000s, Featured in April '03 Sport Truck, Viper 4 wheel discs

Stampede
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2003
01:15:56

RE: Computer?
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Can you elaborate some on the HO Performance tune? What exactly is it, and where can it be found? Sorry to ask so many questions. I am not a mechanical engineer or a professional mechanic, and just want to understand how I might be able add components to increase performance. Thanks for your information and help.

CThomp
*GenIII*

6/30/2003
07:57:45

RE: Computer?
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Until Graphite gets done with his PCM flashes for us to consume your best bet is to focus on other things. Try tweaking your suspension. If you have a 2wd try giving it a hotchkis TVS system, a roadmaster activesuspension, some better shocks, etc. If you have 3.55 gears you could upgrade to 3.92's or 4.10's. Get an LSD or powertrax no-slip.

As far as th engine goes, go ahead and improve your engines breathing. Get an new throttle body (like a fastman 68-71mm or F&B 70mm) and a decent air intake (360airintakez, Intense Performance, or a homebrew). Upgrade you exhaust with a catback of some kind. The brand depends on how loud it will be. Gibson and Magnaflow or the quietest. Take off your 3rd cat and replace it with a free flow cat or just clamp in a straiht pipe. Get some colder spark plugs, a 180 t-stat, ditch your clutch fan and get a black magic 150 electric fan. These are all a good start.

You will notice gains. And your truck will be ready for bigger and better thiings when they are available.

graphiteRT
R/T

6/30/2003
11:00:09

RE: Computer?
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Stampede, these are dyno tuned performance flashes that cover the full spectrum. By that I mean the tech spends a good week running the test mule at all rpm ranges at various loads on a water brake dyno in effort to touch all cells on the fuel and spark tables(lots of cool down sessions between) and ends up with a flash that addresses all drivability areas.

Usually when shops say "dyno tune" they are just strapping the truck down, flogging it with WOT runs and tuning A/F, sometimes spark, in that range only. The flashes I'm talking about here are much, much more extensive and time consuming. As I said, stock 4.7L is done, HO coming up.

CTHOMP, I have no hand in the 4.7L stuff other than making it available on the street once it's ready. Guys with countless hours of dyno tuning experience on the Magnum are the ones doing the grunt work on this and they deserve all the credit.

Bob
'01 Graphite CC R/T, MP headers, Magnaflow muffler into 'Cuda style exhaust, M1 2bbl, ported 2.02 R/T heads, custom grind cam, Crower SS rockers, Paxton Novi2000, Boyd's 20s w/Dunlop SP9000s, Featured in April '03 Sport Truck, Viper 4 wheel discs

CThomp
*GenIII*

6/30/2003
11:34:16

RE: Computer?
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Graphite: You are the one that keeps us in the loop. With out your posts we'd (myself included) be sending countless emails to such places as perfectpower, unichip, superchips, ASE, JET, Hypertech, etc. Trying to talk them into investing some R&D on the 4.7L Dak.

I'd personally rather have some kind of a plug n play type of unit or stand alone unit like a Mopar PCM. I'd even pay a little more (as I suspect many would) just so I could keep my stock PCM the way it is. When I say a little more I don't mean astronomical but fair especially if the product showed real gains that we could see on dyno sheets.

FLDak
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2003
11:54:16