lbstone
Full Access Member
I have an 04 RC with a magnaflow cat-back and a K&N Intake and after reading several reviews regarding the Stage 2 PCM, I decided to give it a go as my next mod. I started my search and found one with a 93 Octane tune that John Stuttle was selling. After agreeing on price, John had it sent to B&M to get the VIN encoded into it before sending it out to me. I wasn't sure if I rather have the 91 or 93 octane tune but after careful research I figure I might as well go with the 93 octane tune as it's readily available in my area.
Installation was very easy but it was bitter cold so I was sure I was gonna drop on of the screws. I ended up not having a problem ane everything went smooth. I assume the previous owner had an upgraded PCM as I saw 2 velcro strips running along the K&N heat shield opposite the firewall. This looks like a nice place for me to stick the factory PCM come emissions time!! Maybe the previous owner did the same?? First impressions; While backing out of my driveway, It felt as though the truck had a stronger idle. My driveway has a slight incline going away from the street. I have to back out very slowly as my house is only a few feet from the road with the driveway on the side. By the time I can see if traffic is coming, the bed is several feet into the roadway. Backing out usually requires me to give light throttle while feathering the clutch to prevent the truck from stalling or backing out too fast. As I was backing out once the new PCM was, I noticed no need to give the truck any throttle?? Pleasant surprise! I drove her pretty easy until operating temperature was reached as it was only 20 degrees outside today. I could immediately hear a difference in tone, the truck also vibrates a bit more?? During regular driving the truck has a bit more pull in the lower RPM range. Once she reached temperature, I soon found that traction in now optional from anywhere in 1st gear with the stock 4:10's. The truck pulls a bit harder and the addition of the few hundred RPM at the top is nice. I tend to just hit the rev limiter when driving her hard. Now I shift right at 6K which is very nice (Damned shifts to third always f*ck me up though!). The sound the truck makes at WOT is quite different. The thing just screams, not that it didn't before, now its just louder. It was a bit scary at first cause I didn't think changing the PCM would make that much of a difference in sound. I must have ran at least 15 WOT burst through several gears on my way to the gym tonight!! This is the way the truck should have run from the factory!! All in all this is a great upgrade and I’m very satisfied. I plan on sticking the 170 degree thermostat in next probably from Boomer. Is there a 170 and 172 degree thermostat? I’ve seem people referring to both? I’ll probably get some Catless mids from Boomer as well and this should be it for a few months for engine mods. I’m finding out that the Caltrac bars are going to be a must, especially if gears are in the future.
Hope my experience helps any future buyers!!
Installation was very easy but it was bitter cold so I was sure I was gonna drop on of the screws. I ended up not having a problem ane everything went smooth. I assume the previous owner had an upgraded PCM as I saw 2 velcro strips running along the K&N heat shield opposite the firewall. This looks like a nice place for me to stick the factory PCM come emissions time!! Maybe the previous owner did the same?? First impressions; While backing out of my driveway, It felt as though the truck had a stronger idle. My driveway has a slight incline going away from the street. I have to back out very slowly as my house is only a few feet from the road with the driveway on the side. By the time I can see if traffic is coming, the bed is several feet into the roadway. Backing out usually requires me to give light throttle while feathering the clutch to prevent the truck from stalling or backing out too fast. As I was backing out once the new PCM was, I noticed no need to give the truck any throttle?? Pleasant surprise! I drove her pretty easy until operating temperature was reached as it was only 20 degrees outside today. I could immediately hear a difference in tone, the truck also vibrates a bit more?? During regular driving the truck has a bit more pull in the lower RPM range. Once she reached temperature, I soon found that traction in now optional from anywhere in 1st gear with the stock 4:10's. The truck pulls a bit harder and the addition of the few hundred RPM at the top is nice. I tend to just hit the rev limiter when driving her hard. Now I shift right at 6K which is very nice (Damned shifts to third always f*ck me up though!). The sound the truck makes at WOT is quite different. The thing just screams, not that it didn't before, now its just louder. It was a bit scary at first cause I didn't think changing the PCM would make that much of a difference in sound. I must have ran at least 15 WOT burst through several gears on my way to the gym tonight!! This is the way the truck should have run from the factory!! All in all this is a great upgrade and I’m very satisfied. I plan on sticking the 170 degree thermostat in next probably from Boomer. Is there a 170 and 172 degree thermostat? I’ve seem people referring to both? I’ll probably get some Catless mids from Boomer as well and this should be it for a few months for engine mods. I’m finding out that the Caltrac bars are going to be a must, especially if gears are in the future.
Hope my experience helps any future buyers!!
