Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Lord Vadr
Any idea what the updrage entails ?
|
The new Intake Manifold Gasket is a good hint that the performance will be increased past what can be expected at near stock boost levels.
If it is the same base kit as the SRT-4, it will come with the PCM, 4 new injectors and the
addition of the new intake gasket (Upper to Lower Intake Manifold Gasket). The software upgrades for engine and transmission calibration suggest that the 2 may be prepared via flash upgrades to be ready to accept a new way of doing things. My guess is that the 5 speed (manual) will only get the engine calibration routine, do to the lack of the TCM (Transmission Control Module that is only present on the Auto transmission).
The 58 PSI benchmark for fuel pressure was mentioned on the SRT-4 forum, thus verifying that the fuel rail has been deemed sufficient to support the increased performance potential.
If the Intake Manifold gasket is thinner than the stock one, then the compression may be raised; making up some potential HP at the same RPM and boost. If it is thicker, than the compression may be dropped further to allow higher boost levels to be obtained (for some reason, yet to be explained).
There seems to be a pattern of keeping the compression level low to keep the boost near max levels to obtain the same HP that would be available at lower boost and higher compression ratio.
This is probably a DC decision, made (or taken) to lessen the chance of customer increasing boost to gain performance. Remember the old Cigarette commercials from the early to mid 60s; "It's not how long you make it; it's how you make it long". This referred to the transition from regular to King size smokes, long before the 100mm craze.
I am waiting for UniqTwin to come into the forum and make it official.
From the SRT thread, you will need the VIN# (So the SKIM - Sentry Key Immobilizer) will allow the car to be started after the PCM change, and an odometer reading. The odometer reading requirement will probably need more explanation. Apparently the mileage is recorded in both the Cluster and PCM.
The Warranty issue will be between you and your dealer. Like any other aftermarket addiiton, the Mopar Performance parts deviate from standard production. If your dealer is one that is likely to blame custom valve cover caps for fouled spark plugs, then your dealer will probably blame the Stage I upgrade for everything from AIDS to poor gas mileage.
However, if your dealer treats aftermarket items coherently and honestly, the Stage I upgrade will only be blamed if a failure that is covered by warranty can be directly attributed to the addition of the Stage I upgrade. Your Mileage May Vary...
This issue would be more credible if explained by Mopar Performance, rather than me. Mopar Performance has their warranty statement available on their website. We will be most likely pointed to that location to read and decide for ourselves.
It would be best to take the presence of a representative from Mopar Performance here on the forum as a Godsend, rather then grilling them on issues that would tend to make them less likely to provide information for concerns of liability, warranty misinterpretation that is out of their hands and being pressed for decisions on issues that they have no control over.
I have been more critical than most about the firmware problems that the stock PCM has exhibited, and I will temper my remarks to separate the stock PCM from the Stage I PCM.
My major concerns will be to try to see if the problems have been corrected in the new PCM, addressed by Flash upgrade, made worse by increasing the performance and not addressing existing firmware problems or if the problems only exist in my head from limited understanding of how things really work. My Mileage