Hi all,

Thought I would pass this info along for anyone looking to install a Mopar performance PCM.

I've been debating whether to put one on my '99 5.2 auto to compliment my larger throttlebody, performance exhaust, and air intake system. I had a long talk with my local performance shop, and they said it is a bad idea on a Dodge (in their opinion) for the following reasons:

1) If you have the auto transmission. The performance PCM increases the pump pressure to ensure harder shifting. Unfortunately, we all know how crappy the auto trans in a Dodge Ram can be (I'm on me second rebuild). This extra pressure is too much for the auto to handle in many cases. They said they have seen several instances where drivers had transmission failures not long after installing the performance PCM.

2) They also said that they have seen a lot of instances were the PCM will get water in the connections, and cause the pickup to not start. The factory PCM is apparently sealed really well, but once you break the connector seals to install a new PCM, there is good chance water can get in the connections, causing your pickup not to start. The connections can get even more compromised over time when people take their performance PCM's in and out for stuff like winter time driving or when towing (by the way, the Mopar Performance PCM specifically says to avoid towing or hauling heavy loads while the PCM is installed).

Their recommendation (which turns out to actually be a little cheaper) was to us the Hypertech power programmer. It doesn't have as much performance gains as the PCM, but it doesn't mess with your pump pressures, and it can be set for midgrade or premium fuel (PCM requires premium only).

I realize this is only the opinion of one performance shop, and every pickup varies (I have seen auto trans go 150,000 miles). I just wanted to give you the info so you can weigh it in for yourself if you are considering a performance PCM.

 

yea,it's definately worth it to get rid of the speed limiter.Also i saw you posting about the TB upgrade,save your money.unless your doing a head,cam and blower swap,it's useless.I went through all this stuff with my 95 Dakota.I saw no improvement what so ever after i put my $350 TB on,that was supposed to gain me at least 15hp.I was using the oldbarrel intake,they didn't have the new improved design out yet,so i can't speak on that.email me anytime to bs about these trucks.

 

Your local performance shop is feeding you bull. The mopar PCM module is better than the Hypertech. Mopar increases the power when you need it and runs normal when driven normal. As far as you tranny. The 518 tranny are all the same for 3.9, 5.2, and 5.9. The differences is the clutch packs. You 5.2 only has a 2 clutchpack out of 5 or 6. The 5.9 has 5 packs. I have a tranny buddy I've known for years and he as done many trannies. When he rebuilds them he puts the maximum pack in the tranny. That way it won't come back as a warranty. Also the higher pressures for shifting don't hurt the tranny. Its the slippage that hurts. Otherwise companies like Transgo would be out of business.

 

will using a mopar pcm while towing like the previouse poster was told. i tow a camper from tme to time (2,000lb) with od off of course. but would like some better perfomance from my 5.2. i have aintake and 8.5 wires brass cap and rotor set and a cat back(still decieding which one i will go with). then i believe i will go for a pcm/hypertech, and a msd ignition..