Stage 1 Installed today.........My Impressions

[mich_132003]

General question for all. - Why go to Stage 1 with Stage 2 just around the corner. Seems like a waist of money to me. - December for Stage 2 I heard.

Comments . . . .

[Kirby]

Quite right...Stage 2 is the same items boosted from under 16 lbs to over 18 lbs, and maybe some other toys along with, but essentially new ECU and Injectors (new TIP and MAP sensors to handle the added pressure).

[Gear_Head]

If you had an autostick, and had a chance to drive it with stage 1 as compared to stock, you would have the answer to your question. I am probably going to go to stage 2 when it becomes available, but stage 1 has made my ride an even more pleasurable experience. The throttle response and the driveability is worth what I paid for the stage 1 upgrade. I was running as much boost before as I run now, but the throttle response (below WOT) is SOOOO MUCH BETTER, and I don't have to worry about running too lean. The improved shifting of the auto trans is also a great benefit. I agree that this is what should have been from the get go, but it was not, and all of the bitching in the world (and I am putting myself at the head of that list) would not change it. So I changed it when I went to stage 1. I have no regrets, and am very happy. If stage 2 works as well as advertised, I'll do that when the time comes. [?][?][?]
Alan

[Kirby]

After being lucky enough to participate in the transformation this weekend I understand your delight. I don't think that you can do anything in the range of $400 that will make your ride this much better.
My hope is that DC will deal with the issues pressing in my area...come on DC make us happy AND legal!!!

[Dalite]

quote:Originally posted by THier
So is my Autotap OBDII going to be obsolete?
Tom

According to a reply from Auto Tap's tech dept., Auto Tap won't have a product that is fully compatible with the 2003 model stock PCM until the end of the year. I don't know if they are aware of the changes for the Stage I (which is the same PCM as the stock one used on the 2004 GT).

If you are able to use Auto Tap on your current 2003 GT with stock PCM, are you able to access all the features?

Auto Tap told me that there was a connector pinout change in mid 2002 that kept their product from being compatible with the 2003 setup on the GT.

Here is what I received from them at the end of May 2003:

******

David,
In the middle of the 2002 model year, Chrysler changed it's diagnostic pinout. We do not currently have a device that will allow you to see generic and enhanced parameters for vehicles that were manufactured between then and now. We should have something available by the end of this year, but nothing to sell you today. Joe

Joe Ebner
AutoTap Support Specialist
Vehicle Product Support Specialist
B&B Electronics Mfg. Co.

[THier]

David,
I just got it last week, took it out saturday morning to play with it, it couldn't pull my VIN, but after I inputed it, it was able to see coolant temp, RPM, and a few others, I didn't play with it for too long, as my daughter woke up and I had to quit. I will have to call them and see if this revision is compatable, it said there were no stored codes, So now I am not sure, I didn't aks if there were any compatibility problems.
Tom

[mich_132003]

quote:Originally posted by Gear_Head

If you had an autostick, and had a chance to drive it with stage 1 as compared to stock, you would have the answer to your question. I am probably going to go to stage 2 when it becomes available, but stage 1 has made my ride an even more pleasurable experience. The throttle response and the driveability is worth what I paid for the stage 1 upgrade. I was running as much boost before as I run now, but the throttle response (below WOT) is SOOOO MUCH BETTER, and I don't have to worry about running too lean. The improved shifting of the auto trans is also a great benefit. I agree that this is what should have been from the get go, but it was not, and all of the bitching in the world (and I am putting myself at the head of that list) would not change it. So I changed it when I went to stage 1. I have no regrets, and am very happy. If stage 2 works as well as advertised, I'll do that when the time comes. [?][?][?]
Alan

So Alan - your saying that the $400 + installation cost is worth it for the improvements you mentioned even if waiting a few months to get those improvements and more HP for another outlay of $900 +. Seems to me that waiting will pay off in hard dollars. Don't get me wrong - I want Stage I - I just don't think I can afford both costs. (Am I correct that Stage II does not require Stage I?)

[Kirby]

Here's a fly in the ointment....Stage 1 puts the PT on the edge of it's ability to deal with the power at hand. If you are waiting for Stage II you would be well advised to prepare your ride to handle the acceleration.(Stage II will go into tirespin with a push of the accelerator at anything under 25 mph.) What will 270 hp do?

[Gear_Head]

I guess that I'm Just a "Speed Freak", and not very patient. Definitely a Type A personality. All of that aside, I have modded the cruiser with a tuned free flow dual exhaust, a 3" turbo up free flow air intake. Blowby catch cans, hi performance 10MM Magnecor plug wires, a screamin demon high output coil, a TurboXs dual stage boost controller. I have owned turbo cars before, so I feel like I should know what to expect performance wise. With all of those mods, the car is much faster/quicker, but I could feel the PCM fighting to keep the performance down, and throwing occasional codes. Stage 1 fixed the (autostick) shifting issue, the part throttle boost loss issue, overboost codes, not to mention the possibility of running too lean & burning a piston or two. Besides all of that the car runs like a raped ape now and the driveability at lower speeds makes me feel even better than the fact that it shifts out of third gear @6200rpm @ 112-115 mph. Was it worth it?? You bet your a$$ it was even if I decide later to upgrade to stage 2. So you see, to me it was much more than speed, it is the overall performance gains that I was after. The ONLY way to get that is a new PCM that will change the operating parameters of the engine/transmission. I can understand about the cost though. I consulted with my children (ages 30 & 26) before I bought, cause after all I am spending their inheritance !!!

[THier]

Dave,
I called B&B today and talked to Joe, He said they are doing an adapter to do the pin swap needed, so I am keeping mine, as I need it for our van anyway.
Tom