Installed Stage 1

[GGJaguar]

I received my Stage 1 PCM yesterday. Install took about 40 minutes, but that included time to remove the Freedom Design strut bar, time to field "what are you doing?" questions from my kids and a phone call from their mom. And for those who are just dying to know, here's what the PCMs look like. The stock (Stage 0) PCM is on the left and the upgrade (Stage 1) is on the right. Very exciting stuff, I know.

GG

[Mean Green]

Welcome to the Stage 1 club [?][8)] So are you happy with it?

[GGJaguar]

quote:Originally posted by Mean Green

Welcome to the Stage 1 club [?][8)] So are you happy with it?

Oh yeah, I'm really, really pleased with how it performs! The main difference I notice is improved driveability and throttle response. I don't know that I can tell that it's making more power, but Stage 1 really makes it easy to move out quickly from first gear. Boost comes on earlier, too, and the car moves briskly and responds instantly to throttle input below 2500 RPM. There's much less turbo lag between shifts when going at or near WOT. Top end power doesn't feel that much different. All in all, it makes the car much easier to drive and very responsive. DCX should have used this PCM in the GT to begin with. It makes the car so much nicer and easier to drive.

The only odd thing I notice is that the engine speed increases by 200 to 300 RPM between shifts even with my foot off the accelerator pedal. With my foot off the gas, the RPM increases just by pushing in the clutch. I have to believe this is to keep the turbo closer to being spooled up, but I'm no expert.

One other thing I notices is that engine runs smoother with less vibration now. I have no idea why, but my EFI Triumph motorcycle also smoothed out when I had a performance tune uploaded to the PCM. So, I know I wasn't imagining it.

GG

[rszappa1]

Did you install the injectores also? I am getting different stories on the injectors. I have a 2004 pt touring edition with the 180 hp turbo. Do the injectors have to be changed or noy? If not can you just purchase the PCM...If so where...All the stage 1 kits I have priced include the injectors. I have an automatic. What reprograming to you have to do? Is this all included in the instructions???Thanks for anybodies help....

[sa4chrysler]

no injectors on the '04 models. the '04 models came stock with bigger injectors. it's the pcm only. i have an '04 touring (turbo lite). let me know what you think. the difference is amazing.[8]

[Mike-in-Orange]

quote:rszappa1 Posted - 06/03/2004 : 2:38:40 PM
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Did you install the injectores also? I am getting different stories on the injectors. I have a 2004 pt touring edition with the 180 hp turbo. Do the injectors have to be changed or noy? If not can you just purchase the PCM...If so where...All the stage 1 kits I have priced include the injectors. I have an automatic. What reprograming to you have to do? Is this all included in the instructions???Thanks for anybodies help....

I also have a 2004 Turbo Lite and my dealer insisted that S1 for '04 cars included the injectors. They simply couldn't be more wrong. I got my S1 from tthrift on this forum (do a member search - he's the parts guru at a dealership in Virginia). If you go to www.mopar.com and look on the left side you'll see a link to the installation instructions (I think it's on the PT Cruiser Stage 1 page), it's in PDF format. These instructions are for the '03s so it includes instructions on changing the injectors, but when I got my Stage 1 the instructions stated they were for '04 with absolutely no mention of injector installation whatsoever. Why? Because contrary to what some dealers are saying S1 for '04 cars does not include new injectors!!!!!

By the way, the instructions, either year, also detail the tranny quick learn procedure, which is a must for the automatic. It's very simple to do - nothing technical at all. Speaking of technical, if you can loosen and retighten a half dozen or so 10mm bolts, and unplug and plug in 4 electrical connectors, you can install Stage 1 on an '04 in about 20 minutes. For this install my dealer quoted $200! I did it myself, and I don't even pretend to be a mechanic (took me a bit longer 'cause my BTG shock tower brace was in the way).

Oh, and going from 180HP to 235HP or so in under 30 minutes is just amazing!

[Ian-PT-GT]

What does it say in the Atention sticker?

Mine was one of the first batch, Didn't came with that.

Ian

[GGJaguar]

quote:Originally posted by Ian-PT-GT

What does it say in the Atention sticker?

Mine was one of the first batch, Didn't came with that.

I didn't pay close attention to the sticker, but it was along the lines of "For off-road use only. Not for pollution controlled vehicles. Only for use on vehicle with ID ending in xxxxxx", etc. Not much really.

GG

[SteelBlueGT]

So you guys with stage 1 are doing a lot of off roading?? I understand racing voids all waranties but off roading I guess dont!!

Anyways I just dont get it (I have asked this question before)how come DC gets same amount for the kit and install if it comes with injectors and a new intake manifold gasket or not????????[:I] Have they not published shop rates for the 04's yet???[:I] And what is up with the same cost for the PCM only kits, did they throw in the injectors and gasket on the 03 stage 1 kits??[:I]

I know the standard answer is greed, but this is too transparent even for DC. I must be missing something but I dont know what it could be!![:0]

[JSWILL70]

GG, just curious if you frequently checked your gas mileage before the stage 1? If so, let us know what it is after the stage 1. Thanks