Community Forums

Gadget Man · 04-03-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauguston

Craig,

Is there anything published from Cat that references how to reset the ECM?

Has Jon Brazell ever mentioned that that is a necessary part of the install procedure for the MP-8?

Bummer about the muffler.

Hi Jim,

I can't answer that. I personally didn't look for anything from Cat. My son is a mechanic and he confirmed that touching the two disconnected battery cables is a good way to reset an engine's ECM.

I'm not sure if Jon weighed in on this or not. There have been several MP-8 threads, I haven't tried to keep track of everyone's response.

I know....thanks anyway.

Craig

Mr. Brownstone · 04-04-2012, 06:03 AM

Any egt trouble? With it wide open?
I have put a MP8 on my 2005 Discovery with a 330 Cat and I am not running the Areo 5050. I don't have a gauge and concerned about where to set the dial. I obviously want to set it at max.

What do you think?

Gadget Man · 04-04-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Brownstone

Any egt trouble? With it wide open?
I have put a MP8 on my 2005 Discovery with a 330 Cat and I am not running the Areo 5050. I don't have a gauge and concerned about where to set the dial. I obviously want to set it at max.

I initially resisted the idea of installing a pyrometer. I told myself, " I have enough gauges, I don't want the worry of looking at another one." I'm glad now I did. I know exactly when to downshift on steep grades to keep the temps down. My temps run higher than what I'd like, hence my decision to install the Aero muffler. I have been running my MP-8 at 50%.

No one can tell you to install something you don't want. Do what you feel comfortable with. Folks that know a lot more about this stuff than I do wouldn't consider such a performance enhancement without the minimum of a pyro. I submitted to their intellect when I made my decision.

Craig

deSanford · 04-05-2012, 10:14 AM

PYRO and BOOST gauges are NICE for peace of mind. deSanford

Automobilist · 04-09-2012, 11:14 PM

Sent the MP-8 I bought back to TS Perf for testing. They said it tested fine.. Reinstalled it: batteries disconnected, plug MP8 in, touch battery cables together, reinstall battery cables. Drive to test hill and make several runs. NO DIFFERENCE... Zero improvement. Coach slows to EXACT same speed (37 mph) every time. With or without MP-8. Unless I've got it plugged into the wrong places, the MP-8 doesn't work on my CAT 3126. Unfortunately, TS Performance's instruction "manual" is poor at best, none of their pictures match my motor. Try to call them and they appear to have no technical knowledge of their product. So I'm left guessing that it's installed correctly.

Very frustrating experience: $400 & several hours of my time invested in something that so far does not work.

Gadget Man · 04-10-2012, 09:23 AM

That really must be frustrating. I'm sorry you've had so many issues. You are right, TS Performance's tech support is poor at best. I found that out first hand as well.

Craig

bachler · 04-13-2012, 09:24 AM

I have read most all the posts.. I have but One burning Question... If the after market Is That Good, as some claim it is . Just why don't the factory (engine builder) install it... ??? Wouldn't It be better for the factory to Get better performance out of there Engine. ??? What am I missing. ( maybe a pocket full of money ,with no productave place to put it))

jauguston · 04-13-2012, 10:53 AM

Bachler,

There is no mystery here. It is all about the EPA. They tell the engine manufacturers how much terrible air polution they are allowed to let their engines emit. The engine manufacturers know they can detune there engines to meet the government standards even though it makes the fuel mileage worse.

Jim

Mr. Brownstone · 04-14-2012, 05:24 AM

Thats's it Engine builders have to keep under the epa requirements.
This caused large displacement engines that were low HP but passed EPA.
This in turn causes us to burn (I am Guessing here) 20-25% more fuel to get down the road which negates any emission benefits from them being 'detuned'.

allowing the motor to run at potential gets more HP and I feel lower emissions if you are burning less fuel which you will if you don't use all your new found HP all the time.

Steve

deSanford · 04-15-2012, 06:47 PM

IMO the older engines don't have the "added" EPA BS so they probably don't need to be chipped. The newer ones with particle filter exhausts and other power reducing devices DO BENEFIT by getting back the lost power that was "DETUNED". That might be the reason some claim GREAT power with the chip and others who probably don't need to chip notice NOTHING. Just my 2 cents worth. deSanford

Automobilist · 04-17-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deSanford

IMO the older engines don't have the "added" EPA BS so they probably don't need to be chipped. The newer ones with particle filter exhausts and other power reducing devices DO BENEFIT by getting back the lost power that was "DETUNED". That might be the reason some claim GREAT power with the chip and others who probably don't need to chip notice NOTHING. Just my 2 cents worth. deSanford

I don't think that's the case. Claimed horsepower & torque increases are not based on age of engine. An older Cummins diesel is probably more capable of being "turned up" than a newer one, percentage of power wise. Newer engines produce far more power than the older ones. Look at the progression of Cummins, Duramax, etc. turbodiesels over the past few years. All produce far more power than earlier models.

Read some of the diesel trade magazines, such as Diesel Power, and you'll learn of really good improvements to power in the past several years. And, cleaner burning as well.

timdriver · 04-17-2012, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automobilist

I don't think that's the case. Claimed horsepower & torque increases are not based on age of engine. An older Cummins diesel is probably more capable of being "turned up" than a newer one, percentage of power wise. Newer engines produce far more power than the older ones. Look at the progression of Cummins, Duramax, etc. turbodiesels over the past few years. All produce far more power than earlier models.

Read some of the diesel trade magazines, such as Diesel Power, and you'll learn of really good improvements to power in the past several years. And, cleaner burning as well.

That's true take for instance the naturally aspirated 220 Cummins from the early 60's to the over 600 horsepower ISX engine not to mention the fuel economy over the past forty years

jauguston · 04-18-2012, 08:14 AM

Sanford,

Uprating the power of your engine has nothing to do with "Need". It has everything to do with "Want" (-:

Jim

Automobilist · 04-18-2012, 07:07 PM

I'm not so sure the EPA is to blame, at least entirely. Look at the big horsepower gains in newer, cleaner burning diesels. If they were smog strangled, wouldn't they have LESS power?

I think that a big part of manufacturers selling motors that produce less than maximum power is reliability. As a racer, it's pretty much gospel that the further you modify an engine for performance, the shorter its life will be. Lots of us rebuild engines at least once a year, and many tear their motors down after every race weekend. The only race classes that have anything what you would think of as "longevity" are spec racers running totally stock engines.

The more power you try to make an engine produce, the shorter its life span...