MOPAR PCM installed on 2009 Coupe - Review and Question

[1.8t]

I just got done having the MOPAR PCM installed on my 2009 Coupe and I am very pleased with the results. The throttle response, even for an 09, is much improved. It is much more crisp with a lot of the lag eliminated. I am sure a combination of the sharper throttle curves along with revised a/f and timing tables add up to the much more responsive low end that I felt the car has lacked since the day I received it. Now, there is just "more" down there. The car responds much more quickly and the low end tq is stronger/snappier. This is how the car should have come from the factory(I know they have a lot of regulations to dance around, I am just saying). Anyways, for those on the fence, do it. No questions asked. The car also feels stronger everywhere and smoother as well. Only other mods are Bellanger headers and 3" exhaust. The car made 582whp/564wtq with just the exhaust work. Would be nice to hit 590+whp and 570+wtq with this ECU and a K&N filter. Hope to find out in the coming weeks.

Now, on to the only "issue" I seem to be having. The car randomly chimes at me when driving. The chime is the same chime that you hear when your seat belt is unbuckled, but it is only 1 chime and it seems to happen anywhere between 30 seconds to 5min+. It is almost as if the ECU is getting confused that my door might not be shut or that my seat belt might be temporarily disconnected, but it isn't a rapid sucession of chimes, just 1 chime. Can anyone offer any insight as to why this is happening? I have no CEL's or anything else. I am thinking I might just need to take it back to the dealer and have them re-sync the PCM?

 

[redtanrt10]

1.8t, lot's of improvements with the ECU, much more so if you have headers. I think I picked up about 7-9 hp and trq at the peak, but you see improvements across the board on the dyno sheet. You forgot to mention no decel "pop" which is a deal killer for most. As for the chime, no clue, reach out to Mark @ Woodhouse, Dan @ DC. Mike

 

[JonB]

Single-Chime alerts are USUALLY accompanied by an amber cluster display for low tire, seatbelt, airbag sensor (stuff in Right seat?) etc. Just for the heck of it, check all your tire pressures?

 

[1.8t]

John, I agree and kept looking for any kind of indication light as to what might be causing the chime...unfortunately, nothing was illuminated. I will check all that you have mentioned just incase.

Does anyone know the TPS relearn procedure? I believe it was turn the key on(do not fire the engine), depress the gas pedal, and then turn the key off or something of that nature?

 

[Steve-Indy]

"TPS relearn procedure"...it will ONLY relearn when connected to a DRB III.

 

[DMan]

Man I've been thinking about this, supposed to be even nicer on the 08's since their factory ECM is less refined then later yrs.

Dare I ask what it set you back for the PCM & the dealer costs?


And thanks for the post .. or I should say, stop it, you're making me want to spend $. lol

 

[1.8t]

Most vendors sell the PCM for $1,075-ish and the dealer "install" price was $190.00. Definitely worth it IMO.

 

[gb66gth]

1.8t, I've been toying around with the idea of doing it on my '08. I hate the e-throttle lag! My question is, will it effect my ability to get the car inspected for emissions and all that business? Will it effect my extended warranty (this may be a dumb question)?

 

[01sapphirebob]

I just got done having the MOPAR PCM installed on my 2009 Coupe and I am very pleased with the results. The throttle response, even for an 09, is much improved. It is much more crisp with a lot of the lag eliminated. I am sure a combination of the sharper throttle curves along with revised a/f and timing tables add up to the much more responsive low end that I felt the car has lacked since the day I received it. Now, there is just "more" down there. The car responds much more quickly and the low end tq is stronger/snappier. This is how the car should have come from the factory(I know they have a lot of regulations to dance around, I am just saying). Anyways, for those on the fence, do it. No questions asked. The car also feels stronger everywhere and smoother as well. Only other mods are Bellanger headers and 3" exhaust. The car made 582whp/564wtq with just the exhaust work. Would be nice to hit 590+whp and 570+wtq with this ECU and a K&N filter. Hope to find out in the coming weeks.

Now, on to the only "issue" I seem to be having. The car randomly chimes at me when driving. The chime is the same chime that you hear when your seat belt is unbuckled, but it is only 1 chime and it seems to happen anywhere between 30 seconds to 5min+. It is almost as if the ECU is getting confused that my door might not be shut or that my seat belt might be temporarily disconnected, but it isn't a rapid sucession of chimes, just 1 chime. Can anyone offer any insight as to why this is happening? I have no CEL's or anything else. I am thinking I might just need to take it back to the dealer and have them re-sync the PCM?

Agree with Jon B as it was the first thing I thought. Check your tire pressure. Should be 29 psi. There will be no warning light for the tire pressure. The warning will show up where your mileage is shown. One single "ding" followed by the message "low tire" I remember when I first got my '08 I had the happen. Upon checking tires I found they we're under inflated. 26 PSI when warm.

 

[01sapphirebob]

1.8t, I've been toying around with the idea of doing it on my '08. I hate the e-throttle lag! My question is, will it effect my ability to get the car inspected for emissions and all that business? Will it effect my extended warranty (this may be a dumb question)?

The car will fail e-check if you have to get one done as the mopar PCM turns off some 02 sensors. However, for
What I hear once it's installed you can swap back in your old PCM for thi gs like this. The only thing I personally don't understand about that is won't you still fail if you have an after market anything on the car since it will throw a CEL and that is what the PCM is suppose to eliminate.

 

[Hamrhead]

1.8t, I've been toying around with the idea of doing it on my '08. I hate the e-throttle lag! My question is, will it effect my ability to get the car inspected for emissions and all that business? Will it effect my extended warranty (this may be a dumb question)?

FWIW, I have the Mopar PCM on my '08 and while it did improve the throttle lag, it's still not great IMO - At least at idle. Once moving it feels/reacts well.

My DD is a '05 CTS-V with e-throttle and it feels waaay better - Just like a normal throttle cable.

 

[1.8t]

Problem solved with the chimes, my rear hatch was popped lol. Never thought to read that little display.

 

[FrgMstr]

Just bought a 08 Roadster and the throttle lag is the one thing that really bugs me. From idle, I guess I can learn to deal with it, but I was doing heal/toe today going into some corners and the lag was terribly obvious. I would REALLY like to get that fixed.

 

[lmcgrew79]

Does anyones car with the pcm idle weird? Mine with the a/c on idles great. With it off and after running a while it will idle at 500 rpm them 750 then 500 etc.???

 

[alpha85]

08 Belanger headers, exhaust, Mopar PCM, Using Torco fuel additive mix to 95 octane. Car dynoed 630rwhp 613rwtq

 

[01sapphirebob]

Problem solved with the chimes, my rear hatch was popped lol. Never thought to read that little display.

Classic! Glad you were able to figure it out.

 

[01sapphirebob]

Problem solved with the chimes, my rear hatch was popped lol. Never thought to read that little display.

Classic! Glad you were able to figure it out.

 

[1.8t]

Does anyones car with the pcm idle weird? Mine with the a/c on idles great. With it off and after running a while it will idle at 500 rpm them 750 then 500 etc.???

So far mine doesn't do that but I haven't had the mod for any appreciable amount of time. Will let you know if mine ever does the same thing.

 

[1.8t]

Just bought a 08 Roadster and the throttle lag is the one thing that really bugs me. From idle, I guess I can learn to deal with it, but I was doing heal/toe today going into some corners and the lag was terribly obvious. I would REALLY like to get that fixed.

I tested out some heal/toeing today on the way back from the dealership and it is MUCH improved. This is the only mod that will improve in that area anyways.

 

[Viperless]

Does anyones car with the pcm idle weird? Mine with the a/c on idles great. With it off and after running a while it will idle at 500 rpm them 750 then 500 etc.???

Mine does the same thing occasionally. Gets really bad at high altitudes like when I was in Salt Lake City for VOI.

 

[FrgMstr]

I tested out some heal/toeing today on the way back from the dealership and it is MUCH improved. This is the only mod that will improve in that area anyways.

Thanks for the feedback. I bought the Mopar PCM from JonB at PartsRack today and talked to the local Dodge dealer about getting it installed.

Apparently the throttle lag and control on the 08 is much worse than the 09/10 from what I have been able to garner. Glad you made the post and it caught my eye! Hopefully this will solve my issues too.

 

[DMan]

Thanks for the feedback. I bought the Mopar PCM from JonB at PartsRack today and talked to the local Dodge dealer about getting it installed.

Apparently the throttle lag and control on the 08 is much worse than the 09/10 from what I have been able to garner. Glad you made the post and it caught my eye! Hopefully this will solve my issues too.

When you get this installed can you follow up with me? I'm totally on the fence with this, if it were half the price I'd just do it, but for over a grand I'm hesitating. I too find the throttle feel annoying, but have adapted a bit, but would love to see it improved. Since we both have 08's, if you think it was a solid mod, then I'd go ahead and pull the trigger.
Dave.

 

[FrgMstr]

Absolutely will get back on this issue and if the Mopar PCM "fixes" it.

 

[B & R]

For inspections in Texas, you will need to pop the PCM out, 5 screws and 4 unplugs, then drive the car 50-100 miles, top the tank up and it should pass.

Richard

 

[FrgMstr]

For inspections in Texas, you will need to pop the PCM out, 5 screws and 4 unplugs, then drive the car 50-100 miles, top the tank up and it should pass.

Richard

Thanks for the specifics on that, was wondering how far I needed to roll before it set in the PCM. Sounds pretty easy to do.

 

[JonB]

Problem solved with the chimes, my rear hatch was popped lol. Never thought to read that little display.

PAY ATTENTION to the rear-hatch on G-4-Coupe 'unlatching' itself, rattling or popping noises. There is a brand-new TSB on this very issue on Gen 4 COUPES. Posted elsewhere just last week. SEARCH? [I cannot edit my posts, so cannot add a link.]

 

[99FRC]

We did a back to back test with the Mopar PCM vs the stock during a dyno session

573 rwhp with Mopar pcm
555 rwhp with stock pcm