Ram Transmission Control Module (TCM) users and results

striperman36 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:19 pm

been doing that...

the qtips better get outta the way!!!

Dennis MacGyver · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:33 pm

striperman36 wrote:

been doing that...

the qtips better get outta the way!!!

I have a feeling that you're missing the point of the Ram TCM. Most here are doing it for increasing mileage in virture of being able to stay in 5th gear at LOWER speeds. We are trying to keep our overall rpm's less than 2000 to increase our mileage.

If you're doing this TCM for speed, you'll probably end up breaking something. The Ram TCM will not change your gear ratio's, just the points at which it shifts and maintains those gears.

striperman36 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:35 pm

Dennis MacGyver wrote:

striperman36 wrote:

been doing that...

the qtips better get outta the way!!!

I have a feeling that you're missing the point of the Ram TCM. Most here are doing it for increasing mileage in virture of being able to stay in 5th gear at LOWER speeds. We are trying to keep our overall rpm's less than 2000 to increase our mileage.

If you're doing this TCM for speed, you'll probably end up breaking something. The Ram TCM will not change your gear ratio's, just the points at which it shifts and maintains those gears.

Not speed, exactly as you wrote and hauling a load. You can't pull off from a stop without being careful it really moves through the gears.

racertracer · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:42 pm

Good boy Fisherman... that's better.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:34 pm

striperman36 wrote:

Dennis MacGyver wrote:

striperman36 wrote:

been doing that...

the qtips better get outta the way!!!

I have a feeling that you're missing the point of the Ram TCM. Most here are doing it for increasing mileage in virture of being able to stay in 5th gear at LOWER speeds. We are trying to keep our overall rpm's less than 2000 to increase our mileage.

If you're doing this TCM for speed, you'll probably end up breaking something. The Ram TCM will not change your gear ratio's, just the points at which it shifts and maintains those gears.

Not speed, exactly as you wrote and hauling a load. You can't pull off from a stop without being careful it really moves through the gears.

Grasshopper, train your foot and you will better train your Ram TCM.
Most of the time I crack the accelerator and take off faster than the other cars, push it down a little more and it really takes off. The Ram TCM is not the option for the digital foot types.
You need to treat the accelerator like a Rail Dragster does, not too much.
Do the lift the foot a little and it will shift into the next gear.
Having 5th lock at 47MPH and 4th lock at 42MPH can save fuel and avoid all the needless RPMs.
That is how the Ram got mileage out of the 5.7L Hemi, keeping the RPMs down until needed.
Now go Coach.

striperman36 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:48 pm

Roger that
It fits my normal driving style anyway .

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:13 am

Just installed mine. It will take some time getting use to. I use a lot of 40 to 50 mph roads, and this thing seems sweet! I just have to train it, just like Warp2diesel suggests.

striperman36 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:22 am

ChooChooman74 wrote:

Just installed mine. It will take some time getting use to. I use a lot of 40 to 50 mph roads, and this thing seems sweet! I just have to train it, just like Warp2diesel suggests.

That was hard work!

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:25 am

OH, make sure the AC works after you do the transplant.
There is a plug in the harness that can come loose and the
AC will stop working. If in doubt, just squeeze all three of the
Harness plugs together after you are done.

Now it is time to go coach.

Dennis MacGyver · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:28 am

striperman36 wrote:

ChooChooman74 wrote:

Just installed mine. It will take some time getting use to. I use a lot of 40 to 50 mph roads, and this thing seems sweet! I just have to train it, just like Warp2diesel suggests.

That was hard work!

Yea, this diesel drives more like a gas car than any other diesel I've driven. I'm use to a slow take-off even from older turbo diesels. With this CRD, it "jumps" from a little throttle like a gas car, gonna take some getting use to on the throttle foot.

striperman36 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:34 am

Dennis MacGyver wrote:

striperman36 wrote:

ChooChooman74 wrote:

Just installed mine. It will take some time getting use to. I use a lot of 40 to 50 mph roads, and this thing seems sweet! I just have to train it, just like Warp2diesel suggests.

That was hard work!

Yea, this diesel drives more like a gas car than any other diesel I've driven. I'm use to a slow take-off even from older turbo diesels. With this CRD, it "jumps" from a little throttle like a gas car, gonna take some getting use to on the throttle foot.

I found the jump tempered by runnin up in rev's then liftin allowin the tcm to shift into the next gear then revvin up again til you hit 5th. If you can keep the turbo spoiled it happens pretty quick

Dennis MacGyver · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:43 am

Just found out yesterday that when you direct the air flow HVAC to the floor only it kicks on the AC to prevent interior window fogging. Yea right. Here in Nevada our humidity is usually <10%. Having the AC on has to cut into our mileage.

I'll be doing the following mod to turn the AC function of the heater off tomorrow. This mod makes the AC come on when YOU choose it should be on, not when some engineer "feels" it should be on.

viewtopic.php?t=6042&highlight=compressor+settings
Picture: http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/5545/hvacmodfo9.jpg

striperman36 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 12:33 pm

I just leave the airflow no at the windshield unless I need to defog, which here in fogland is frequent.

I don't like foolin with electrical stuff like that splice, I'm sure it's a great mode it just gives me nightmares, these things have enough gremlins.

If you do it let us know how it works out.

Dennis MacGyver · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:32 pm

Drove the Ram TCM today quite a bit more.

Try this, drive it as though you have a clutch, at each 2000 rpm, completely pull your throttle foot back like you were going to manually change gears, will shift each time as though you were selecting the next higher gear with a gear shift. Especially great in 1st through 3rd gears.

racertracer · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:41 pm

ok... i'll reinstall it next weekend and give it a go.

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:08 pm

I did that (when my CRD last ran) with a cold engine and first gear would not shift until 2700-3000 rpm.

I still suspect that the main "benefit" that people are feeling as increased torque / traction is in fact just massively increased transmission line pressure. This is a computer, it can only operate within the physical specs of the transmission. The gear ratios are fixed, where the shift points and the line pressure are variable. Higher line pressure equals higher clamping forces on the clutches and the torque converter's grip on the input shaft. When operating out of lockup, hydraulic fluid pressure is all that provides the "clamping" force that allows the power to force the vehicle to move. Grab tighter on the engine, and the power "feels" like it gets to the wheels better.

I agree, I like that feeling too. But I question what this increased pressure may be doing to the lifespan of the transmission. Since my CRD is down for an unknown period waiting for parts from the UK, I will be shipping the TCM to Keith tomorrow for his analysis and comparison to his transmission tune. I still have his tune on another TCM, as well as my stock F37, so I will be able to operate with something, when the rockers arrive.

Dennis MacGyver · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:13 am

geordi wrote:

I did that (when my CRD last ran) with a cold engine and first gear would not shift until 2700-3000 rpm.

I have no problem with mine shifting as described with the tranny cold. You make me wonder IF you have the same Ram TCM (56029053AD) with yours not shifting until >2700 rpm's.

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:51 am

Dennis MacGyver wrote:

geordi wrote:

I did that (when my CRD last ran) with a cold engine and first gear would not shift until 2700-3000 rpm.

I have no problem with mine shifting as described with the tranny cold. You make me wonder IF you have the same Ram TCM (56029053AD) with yours not shifting until >2700 rpm's.

I'll check it when I pull it out to ship. I bought it based on a link from Racer, but I didn't have the part number in front of me to check. I thought Racer said that his shifted in a similar fashion... But now I'm not so sure. It has been a long time since I drove my CRD... Yet again.

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:17 am

I like some aspects of the Ram TCM, but I will NOT at this time be using it for towing. This is not made for our vehicle. I am using this for now since I am not able to get Keiths tunes yet. AND I also want to customize for my driving style.

So far in my opinion, this is a cheap way for the feather footer to save fuel. I will know more as this TCM adapts to my transmission.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

striperman36 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 10:56 am

driving to work this morning was fun.

I'll be towing this week.

Ram Transmission Control Module (TCM) users and results

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