RC PCM vs. VEC

RedSrt007 said:
He probably also advanced your timing curve and fuel with the meth tune....if you email me the tune I can tell you how many degrees if interested...

-Red
When I pay the balance off, then I will get the order. :) Got to pay to play. But, when I get it, I would love to know what it says. Thanks.
 
Roz-SRT said:
(Sorry, "PCM" is to short for the search feature):p

I know for the QC guys, this is a MUST. What do us RC guys actually get from this? Plus, for me, modding is a "process". A mod here, a mod there. I'm assuming each time I mod, I'd need to reflash to reap the benefits of each mod, and each mod collectively. Seems like the mail order tune is a "close guess". I'd honestly like to get every possible HP out of something.

I like how the VEC is more personalized. When I had my Trans Am, I had two programs. One for the actual "tuning". One for the data logging. I was either on a dyno or a "private test track". Someone please school me as to what our home tuning options are. . . :)

Roz, you really have to identify what route your going with your mods. If you plan to SC your truck then a Vec is what you want. If not then you have choices. For the flash to work well and get the most out of it you gotta have magnaflow and cat delete. Otherwise then you are not optimizing the flash. Flash is a easy 3 bolt install and you can change it out back to stock for dealer visits. The VEC is a commitment and some dealers may void parts of your warranty because you hacked into all your injector wires and the main wire harness. So if your warranty is really important right now, might want to hold off.

Both items offer good results. Flash is for dummies, not complicated install, engine will run 20` cooler. Vec is advanced with lots of possibilites for change in the future, different tunes available, more tricky install.

I love my setup. I dont plan on ever going the FI route, so the flash, catless mids, and gears have turned my truck into a tire burning, torqued out beast. Its a blast to drive and a completly different truck from when stock.

patrick
 
Hoooold on. Wait wait wait. I am confused. :)

For whatever reason I thought "VEC" was a program that you loaded on your laptop and it connected via the diagnostic port. . . I didn't think you had to tap into wires.

Forgive me, I keep referring to my LS1 car, its all I have to make reference to. :) But when I had it, the program was LS1Edit ( www.carputing.com ). Edit is loaded to your laptop and you change the parameters and then load the file into the PCM. Then you'd make a few dyno passes or street passes and log the data w/ AutoTap. ( www.autotap.com ) then change your tune accordingly. The key was to save a file with the STOCK information so you don't FUBAR anything. You could always load the stock file and start over.

Now I am reading about "cards" and tapping into wires. . . I think I need step back and do more research. :)

As far as intentions go . . . I wan't N/A power. Bottom end/heads/cams/intake/ bolt ons. :)
 
The Vec is a piggyback computer which is wired into the car. It overrides signals from certain items (fuel injectors, position crank, etc..), then adjusts it according to user inputs. So basically instead of the signal going from an injector to the factory PCM, it goes to the VEC (in simpler terms :) )

-Red
 
I see. . . Thank you.

So the program I used before . . . Would you consider that "stand alone"?
 
RedSrt007 said:
This could be very lengthy...but a cliff-notes version is:

Flash:
Adjusts parameters in fuel and timing tables, including rpm, fan/cooling temp - Owner cannot adjust, set parameters

Vec / Aftermarket :
Adjustable fuel and timing parameters, including rpm, no fan/cooling temp settings - Owner can adjust parameters.


My opinion?? Vec..or if you can afford it, AEM

-Red
can aem be used with the roe supercharger instead of vec3 ?
 
moparracing said:
can aem be used with the roe supercharger instead of vec3 ?

absolutely...it would be the best choice if you had the extra money to spend..you could see slight increase in power (hp & tq) and a big drivability increase.

-Red
 
Roz-SRT said:
I see. . . Thank you.

So the program I used before . . . Would you consider that "stand alone"?

If im not mistaken (have not used it), the ls1tech is similar to the sct for fords. It allows you to custom tun the factory PCM and write the setting directly to it (basically re-flashing). Where dodge does not want people to mess with the PCM or 'hack it'. So in theory yes, you were using a standalone....basically the factory PCM :)

-Red
 
RedSrt007 said:
absolutely...it would be the best choice if you had the extra money to spend..you could see slight increase in power (hp & tq) and a big drivability increase.

-Red
i'm not a program wizard, who would be able to program for me ?

would roe do it ?
 
RedSrt007 said:
If im not mistaken (have not used it), the ls1tech is similar to the sct for fords. It allows you to custom tun the factory PCM and write the setting directly to it (basically re-flashing). Where dodge does not want people to mess with the PCM or 'hack it'. So in theory yes, you were using a standalone....basically the factory PCM :)

-Red

Exactly!!!! I want that capability again. If were ever to make a dealer visit, just reflash with the stock tune file, when you get your car back, reflash it with your custom file.

Those that re-flash our PCM's What do they use? Is it available publically?

The VEC "sounds" complicated. . . Hacking into wires and having different tuning cards.

Thanks you for educating me. :)
 
moparracing said:
i'm not a program wizard, who would be able to program for me ?

would roe do it ?

While remaining neutral, I would recommend you take it to a tuner who has worked with the AEM a little more; like underground, DC Performance , PBJ, or a few others...

Roe has done some great things for the viper community...Sean is great, but (I feel) lacks slightly in the way he tunes and some of the products....

As with almost any company, some of his stuff could use a little more R&D. Intake manifold designs have poor air distribution, causing cylinders to run richer or leaner then others...while 'fixes' are really more like band-aids instead of permanent solutions. AEM definitely helps, but at the same time points out 'situations' of the design(s).

If interested, PM me and I will give you my opinion :)

-Red
 
Roz-SRT said:
Exactly!!!! I want that capability again. If were ever to make a dealer visit, just reflash with the stock tune file, when you get your car back, reflash it with your custom file.

Those that re-flash our PCM's What do they use? Is it available publically?

The VEC "sounds" complicated. . . Hacking into wires and having different tuning cards.
:)

What you had with your old car is not available with Dodge. If you want to keep your hot rod tune a secret, just buy a new pcm and get the hot rod flash. But I must stress, this flash is optimized for magnaflow(or similar) and no cats.

As far as what the tuners use to flash the pcms??? Top secret. I heard the guys at B and G are actually DC engineers during the day and superhero tuners at night!!! LOL

patrick
 
Heres a great example of a great tuner and the VEC. My truck has been running a/f ratios at full throttle 3rd and 4th gears in the 10-10.8 range (I'm at 3500 feet elevation, truck was tuned in Saint Louis). I got a new program for the VEC from Joe at PBJ and tried it out today. Same results.

I called Joe and told him nothing has really changed. He had be adjust one parameter through my laptop (cant think of it offhand), load it to the VEC and then take the truck for a spin. A/F is now around 11.8 until 5K rpm then drops off to 10-10.3

So, after a 5 minute discussion my a/f is now near perfect except on the top end. Our density alt today was 5300 feet, it will go to 6300 feet tomorrow. I'll take the truck out to see what if any changes take place as a result of the different airmass (a/f ratio). We'll have to tweak the 5000 rpm and up a bit to lean it out a bit but the rest of the tune is now great.

Bottom line, you cant do this with a flash over the phone and/or a laptop computer. Thanks for the help Joe!!
 
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mauiSRT/10 said:
What you had with your old car is not available with Dodge. If you want to keep your hot rod tune a secret, just buy a new pcm and get the hot rod flash. But I must stress, this flash is optimized for magnaflow(or similar) and no cats.

As far as what the tuners use to flash the pcms??? Top secret. I heard the guys at B and G are actually DC engineers during the day and superhero tuners at night!!! LOL

patrick
Mine feels slightly down in power after re-installing the stock muffler.Still catless,but it just seems SLIGHTLY down in power.Might be psychological due to being quieter :dontknow: It was worth it for the loss of resonance in the cab.
I did bark third today running by a used car dealer that had a red SRT-10 out front.Had to do it because a couple of guys were looking over a slammed Colorado and not the SRT.Left from a stop light about 50 yds down the road.It was a perfect run and perfect end to a great day :D
Maybe they will wise up now :D
 
You are no dummy my friend...just well grounded, and balanced in your approach to our hobby!
 
Prof said:
You are no dummy my friend...just well grounded, and balanced in your approach to our hobby!

LOL......gotta be when you live on a rock on the most remote island chain in the world!!! Imagine the UPS charges shipping my engine to DC Performance!! LOL Cheaper to ship the entire truck!!:D


patrick
 

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