96GTS
Enthusiast
Will this work on a Gen II?
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Feedback on the DC Performance computer reflash
- Thread starter valentine_viper
- Start date
RogerL
Enthusiast
I installed a reflashed ECU from Cragin last weekend. Big difference in the way the car performs. Well worth the 600 bucks. Also installed the 170 thermostat, good move as well.
Thanks for the feedback on our performance computer for the Viper. I would like to clarify a few things as some questions have been raised. The improvement from this controller is better midrange power, smoother operation, better snap throttle response and cooler engine operation.
Midrange power gains vary from vehicle to vehicle but power gains are most noticeable in the 3000-5000rpm range.
All of our calibrations are for off road use only. That is why we recommend a new controller. We do not remove emissions monitors, so please do not ask. We also do not program Mopar controllers or Competition Coupe controllers.
We spent quite a bit of time testing this calibration and are very confident everyone will be happy. If not, we will refund your money.
Dan Cragin
DC Performance Inc
310-841-6996
Midrange power gains vary from vehicle to vehicle but power gains are most noticeable in the 3000-5000rpm range.
All of our calibrations are for off road use only. That is why we recommend a new controller. We do not remove emissions monitors, so please do not ask. We also do not program Mopar controllers or Competition Coupe controllers.
We spent quite a bit of time testing this calibration and are very confident everyone will be happy. If not, we will refund your money.
Dan Cragin
DC Performance Inc
310-841-6996
Vipermann1
Enthusiast
I spoke to Dan yesterday.
He's a great asset to the Viper Community!
I am bring my car to him in 3 weeks to have the computer flashed & some nice upgrades.
I will post my results as soon as I get the car back.
Thanks,
Uzy Malik (aka vipermann1)
He's a great asset to the Viper Community!
I am bring my car to him in 3 weeks to have the computer flashed & some nice upgrades.
I will post my results as soon as I get the car back.
Thanks,
Uzy Malik (aka vipermann1)
Volltage
Enthusiast
I just put in my new computer yesterday and it was as simple as can be. It is everything that Dan has posted. Could not make it to the Dyno today since it was raining. Maybe tomorrow? I am not to concerned on how much HP-TQ it makes, it just runs and responds that much better. Thanks again DAN and TEAM.
Todd
Todd
YELLOH
Enthusiast
I just asked Dan that question the reason for the 91 and 93 octane. I don't know if you have noticed all the ingredients they are adding to the gas lately. Like the gas companies are not making emough money . Check it out the next time you get gas its a yellow sticker.
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
I have contacted Dan, talked to him for over an hour, and he has sent me a brand new computer with a remapped program per my specs. I will be putting it in my car in the next week or two and will report on my findings. As Dan can customize the unit per whatever modifications have been done to your car I believe his computer will be the way to go. Jet can not do this. Also if you have any viper newer than 2003 you will need to buy a new computer and keep your old one for emissions purposes, even though Dan believes his modifications will pass emissions inspection,2004 and newer computers have the capability to tell if they have been remapped by anyone except DC. I hope to offer new computers at discounted prices in the near future so that you can send Dan a new one and save yourself some money. I will also be offering to have a new computer remapped by Dan for people who are not comfortable with trying to explaining how they want the re mapping done.
96GTS
Enthusiast
I've got a 96 GTS, and love the way it idles. Would your program eliminate the lumpy cam sound? The car also has a Factory 10 air box, K&N filters, and 3" cat back exhaust. What kind of gains could I expect from this?
SylvanSRT
Enthusiast
by the way JonB at www.partsrack.com got me a great deal on an extra pcm for my and i sent it out to Dan Cragin and hope to have it back in a few days, also i think Dan has them available at a reasonable price.
SylvanSRT
Enthusiast
YUP! he had it for six months and i got it back the way i gave it to him!
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
Just a note on Dans upgrade. I just had to send mine back today because I forgot to tell Dan to program it for 93 octane fuel and octane booster. He set it up for 91 octane which is all thats availble in California. It is my mistake and not Dans. He said no problem, he will take care of it.
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
I ordered a upgrade form Dan, in the form of a new ECM, and he built it to the specs I wanted and to the modifications that are on our house car. I received the new unit in 1 day but noticed it was programmed for 91 octane fuel. I sent it back to Dan who called me to tell me that even though they say 91 octane they are programmed for both 91 and 93 octane. He said he can bump up the timing more if one was to run race fuel only all the time. I will be installing this unit in the next few days and will let everyone know the outcome. Dan is a real class guy. He also told me that 2004 and newer requires a new ECM as the feds can tell that the ECM has been tampered with at the time of a emission inspection, there for he recommends that one keeps your stock unit for emissions. Also he mentioned that if you ever have to take you viper into the dealer that you should reinstall your old ECM as the dealer will load all the current upgrades and this would delete the Dan's programming. I will be adding this upgrade to my web site in the near future along with discounted prices for new ECM's.
29OUTLAW
Viper Owner
I just did the DC ECU upgrade. I really can’t comment on whether or not it made any difference. I have no rear-wheel dyno baseline to work with and no “seat of the pants” baseline to work with either (November 2005 was the last time I ran the car WOT).
Nevertheless, I see no issues so far. The car is running smooth, no check engine light, the throttle is brisk, etc.
I do have some items of note regarding install. Folks who work on Vipers everyday will laugh at my items but that’s OK.
1 – The thermostat housing has 4 bolts, not 3. Only 3 are easily visible. The 4th one is easily accessible with an extension but it’s not easily visible.
2 – I decided to totally remove the strut brace versus moving it out of the way. It’s no big deal to remove. As a matter of fact, now that I know how easy it is to remove, I plan on having it powder coated red.
3 – The ECU itself has 3 connectors to it. These connectors have lock tabs. Be advised…there are lock tabs on the top AND ON THE BOTTOM of the connectors.
Nevertheless, I see no issues so far. The car is running smooth, no check engine light, the throttle is brisk, etc.
I do have some items of note regarding install. Folks who work on Vipers everyday will laugh at my items but that’s OK.
1 – The thermostat housing has 4 bolts, not 3. Only 3 are easily visible. The 4th one is easily accessible with an extension but it’s not easily visible.
2 – I decided to totally remove the strut brace versus moving it out of the way. It’s no big deal to remove. As a matter of fact, now that I know how easy it is to remove, I plan on having it powder coated red.
3 – The ECU itself has 3 connectors to it. These connectors have lock tabs. Be advised…there are lock tabs on the top AND ON THE BOTTOM of the connectors.
valentine_viper
Viper Owner
Another update on the reflash... I had the good fortune to attend the CSD Pocono event last weekend and tracked the car on Pocono raceway Monday and Tuesday. In total, I turned about 35 laps on the 2.5 mile course. This was my first opportunity to run the car flat out since the reflash. I'm happy to report that the car ran flawlessly. I never even opened the hood. Oil and water temps were perfect and the car ran EXTREMELY strong, reaching speeds of 158 mph in the straight. The cockpit never got uncomfortably hot, even with the 90 degree heat. Not so much as a hickup the entire time. It's also worth mentioning that I drove the car there (2 hours and 45 minutes, one way) and home again with no issues what so ever. After finishing on the track on Tuesday, I simply drove off the track and headed home. I made no adjustments to the car the entire time except for upping the tire pressure a bit.
I let one of the instructors take a few laps with me in the passenger seat. I am a novice at road racing, but this guy has 35 years of experience. It was quite a lesson and I now have a whole new respect for the car. What an essentially stock Viper can do on a road course in the hands of an expert driver is truely awe inspiring. Mine was the first Viper he had ever tracked and he was deeply impressed. He loved the torque and thought the car was very well balanced. His only criticism was the weight and a tendency to understeer. However, he commented that the understeer was easily offset by adding a little throttle on the turn-ins. He said it was on of the fastest, essentially unmodified street cars he had ever driven on the track and this guys has driven just about everything. I received numerous compliments from various other drivers on the car's power, handling and good looks. I only got passed a couple of times the entire two days and that was by true race cars. There were a couple of C6 Z06s that were very impressive, but I was able to overtake them in the straight aways (just barely). We seemed evenly matched through the turns. I doubt very much if that would have been the case had I not had the reflash. The Z06s are very fast on the track and should never be taken lightly.
Once again and more than ever, I highly recommend this mod for stock Vipers!
I let one of the instructors take a few laps with me in the passenger seat. I am a novice at road racing, but this guy has 35 years of experience. It was quite a lesson and I now have a whole new respect for the car. What an essentially stock Viper can do on a road course in the hands of an expert driver is truely awe inspiring. Mine was the first Viper he had ever tracked and he was deeply impressed. He loved the torque and thought the car was very well balanced. His only criticism was the weight and a tendency to understeer. However, he commented that the understeer was easily offset by adding a little throttle on the turn-ins. He said it was on of the fastest, essentially unmodified street cars he had ever driven on the track and this guys has driven just about everything. I received numerous compliments from various other drivers on the car's power, handling and good looks. I only got passed a couple of times the entire two days and that was by true race cars. There were a couple of C6 Z06s that were very impressive, but I was able to overtake them in the straight aways (just barely). We seemed evenly matched through the turns. I doubt very much if that would have been the case had I not had the reflash. The Z06s are very fast on the track and should never be taken lightly.
Once again and more than ever, I highly recommend this mod for stock Vipers!
outnumbered
Enthusiast
I think overtaking maybe a stretch.Another update on the reflash... I had the good fortune to attend the CSD Pocono event last weekend and tracked the car on Pocono raceway Monday and Tuesday. In total, I turned about 35 laps on the 2.5 mile course. This was my first opportunity to run the car flat out since the reflash. I'm happy to report that the car ran flawlessly. I never even opened the hood. Oil and water temps were perfect and the car ran EXTREMELY strong, reaching speeds of 158 mph in the straight. The cockpit never got uncomfortably hot, even with the 90 degree heat. Not so much as a hickup the entire time. It's also worth mentioning that I drove the car there (2 hours and 45 minutes, one way) and home again with no issues what so ever. After finishing on the track on Tuesday, I simply drove off the track and headed home. I made no adjustments to the car the entire time except for upping the tire pressure a bit.
I let one of the instructors take a few laps with me in the passenger seat. I am a novice at road racing, but this guy has 35 years of experience. It was quite a lesson and I now have a whole new respect for the car. What an essentially stock Viper can do on a road course in the hands of an expert driver is truely awe inspiring. Mine was the first Viper he had ever tracked and he was deeply impressed. He loved the torque and thought the car was very well balanced. His only criticism was the weight and a tendency to understeer. However, he commented that the understeer was easily offset by adding a little throttle on the turn-ins. He said it was on of the fastest, essentially unmodified street cars he had ever driven on the track and this guys has driven just about everything. I received numerous compliments from various other drivers on the car's power, handling and good looks. I only got passed a couple of times the entire two days and that was by true race cars. There were a couple of C6 Z06s that were very impressive, but I was able to overtake them in the straight aways (just barely). We seemed evenly matched through the turns. I doubt very much if that would have been the case had I not had the reflash. The Z06s are very fast on the track and should never be taken lightly.
Once again and more than ever, I highly recommend this mod for stock Vipers!
valentine_viper
Viper Owner
I think overtaking maybe a stretch.Another update on the reflash... I had the good fortune to attend the CSD Pocono event last weekend and tracked the car on Pocono raceway Monday and Tuesday. In total, I turned about 35 laps on the 2.5 mile course. This was my first opportunity to run the car flat out since the reflash. I'm happy to report that the car ran flawlessly. I never even opened the hood. Oil and water temps were perfect and the car ran EXTREMELY strong, reaching speeds of 158 mph in the straight. The cockpit never got uncomfortably hot, even with the 90 degree heat. Not so much as a hickup the entire time. It's also worth mentioning that I drove the car there (2 hours and 45 minutes, one way) and home again with no issues what so ever. After finishing on the track on Tuesday, I simply drove off the track and headed home. I made no adjustments to the car the entire time except for upping the tire pressure a bit.
I let one of the instructors take a few laps with me in the passenger seat. I am a novice at road racing, but this guy has 35 years of experience. It was quite a lesson and I now have a whole new respect for the car. What an essentially stock Viper can do on a road course in the hands of an expert driver is truely awe inspiring. Mine was the first Viper he had ever tracked and he was deeply impressed. He loved the torque and thought the car was very well balanced. His only criticism was the weight and a tendency to understeer. However, he commented that the understeer was easily offset by adding a little throttle on the turn-ins. He said it was on of the fastest, essentially unmodified street cars he had ever driven on the track and this guys has driven just about everything. I received numerous compliments from various other drivers on the car's power, handling and good looks. I only got passed a couple of times the entire two days and that was by true race cars. There were a couple of C6 Z06s that were very impressive, but I was able to overtake them in the straight aways (just barely). We seemed evenly matched through the turns. I doubt very much if that would have been the case had I not had the reflash. The Z06s are very fast on the track and should never be taken lightly.
Once again and more than ever, I highly recommend this mod for stock Vipers!
I passed two on the straights and my instructor passed one or two as well when he was driving. Two Z06s did a fly-by on me at the same time after the checkered flag and I had let off. They hadn't. A definite "no, no", but they were clearly focussed on racing each other and probably didn't notice the flag right away.
outnumbered
Enthusiast
I own both cars.The Z is faster without question in a stock form.Your tune may bring them closer.The Z with the gearing will arive to speed quicker.There is also drivers involved.Just like running down the Ferarri's( the race version)Is it the car or is it the driver.I hit 164 on the back stretch.Does it prove anything?No!I am glad to hear of your happiness of the tune.I am going to check it out for mine.
valentine_viper
Viper Owner
I own both cars.The Z is faster without question in a stock form.Your tune may bring them closer.The Z with the gearing will arive to speed quicker.There is also drivers involved.Just like running down the Ferarri's( the race version)Is it the car or is it the driver.I hit 164 on the back stretch.Does it prove anything?No!I am glad to hear of your happiness of the tune.I am going to check it out for mine.
I remember speaking to you in the garage. I love your car. Silver is my favorite color in the Z06 and I am considering buying one when they come down a bit in price. 164 mph in the straight is awesome... congrats! Were you running stock? 158 was the best I could do with my limited driving skills. This was my first time ever road racing. When my instructor took the wheel, he was able to get quite a bit more out of it and was able to generate a lot more speed coming out of the far corner leading into the back straight than I had the balls to attempt. I didn't look at the speedometer when he was driving (too busy holding on for dear life), but I suspect he got it going faster than I did.
Let me know what you think after you do the reflash. I will wager a gentlemen's bet that you find the two at least equal after that.
outnumbered
Enthusiast
I could only do that after running for a while.You have to get a lot of speed in turn one to get that high.Plus you have to let off late.I am impressed if you could look down to see your speed and being the first time.This was my 3rd event and I have heads up display and still have trouble trying to look at anything but the road ahead.I was going to bring the Viper next time but now maybe I'll bring the Z again.The cars may have a score to settle/LOL.Congrats on your safeI own both cars.The Z is faster without question in a stock form.Your tune may bring them closer.The Z with the gearing will arive to speed quicker.There is also drivers involved.Just like running down the Ferarri's( the race version)Is it the car or is it the driver.I hit 164 on the back stretch.Does it prove anything?No!I am glad to hear of your happiness of the tune.I am going to check it out for mine.
I remember speaking to you in the garage. I love your car. Silver is my favorite color in the Z06 and I am considering buying one when they come down a bit in price. 164 mph in the straight is awesome... congrats! Were you running stock? 158 was the best I could do with my limited driving skills. This was my first time ever road racing. When my instructor took the wheel, he was able to get quite a bit more out of it and was able to generate a lot more speed coming out of the far corner leading into the back straight than I had the balls to attempt. I didn't look at the speedometer when he was driving (too busy holding on for dear life), but I suspect he got it going faster than I did.
Let me know what you think after you do the reflash. I will wager a gentlemen's bet that you find the two at least equal after that.
and successful event.I hear the Vca will be at Pocono soon.Do they allow Convertables Stock?
valentine_viper
Viper Owner
I could only do that after running for a while.You have to get a lot of speed in turn one to get that high.Plus you have to let off late.I am impressed if you could look down to see your speed and being the first time.This was my 3rd event and I have heads up display and still have trouble trying to look at anything but the road ahead.I was going to bring the Viper next time but now maybe I'll bring the Z again.The cars may have a score to settle/LOL.Congrats on your safeI own both cars.The Z is faster without question in a stock form.Your tune may bring them closer.The Z with the gearing will arive to speed quicker.There is also drivers involved.Just like running down the Ferarri's( the race version)Is it the car or is it the driver.I hit 164 on the back stretch.Does it prove anything?No!I am glad to hear of your happiness of the tune.I am going to check it out for mine.
I remember speaking to you in the garage. I love your car. Silver is my favorite color in the Z06 and I am considering buying one when they come down a bit in price. 164 mph in the straight is awesome... congrats! Were you running stock? 158 was the best I could do with my limited driving skills. This was my first time ever road racing. When my instructor took the wheel, he was able to get quite a bit more out of it and was able to generate a lot more speed coming out of the far corner leading into the back straight than I had the balls to attempt. I didn't look at the speedometer when he was driving (too busy holding on for dear life), but I suspect he got it going faster than I did.
Let me know what you think after you do the reflash. I will wager a gentlemen's bet that you find the two at least equal after that.
and successful event.I hear the Vca will be at Pocono soon.Do they allow Convertables Stock?
It wasn't till the second day that I had the nerve to glance at my speedometer on the straight. In the turns, it was eyes forward at all times. My first few really hot laps were pretty scarey. My instructor was surprisingly aggressive and had me really pushing myself (in a good way). I don't think my sphinkter has fully unpuckered yet, lol. The scariest part for me was the big banked turn coming off the back straight. Comes at you fast and it still amazes me how much speed you can carry through the turn on street tires. By my fourth session, I started feeling much more comfortable. I had the lines down at least to some degree and gained quite a bit of confidence in both the car and myself. Once I started to know where the limits where (both mine and the car's) and how the car would react when I reached them, it was a much more enjoyable ride. Being a relatively sane individual, I would never push a car like that on public roads, so it was great to finally discover the cars real potential.
Do you have a trailer? Maybe you can bring both cars to the next event. We could switch back and forth between them and see how much is car and how much is driver, lol. No matter which you bring, I'm sure we'll have fun. By the way, a close friend of mine just ordered an A&A modded C-6 with 515 rwhp. He will probably bring it to the VCA Pocono event in August if they allow him to join in. He may end up kicking both our butts, lol.
As far as I know, running a stock Viper convertible is not an issue. No one questioned mine and I only have the factory hoops, but I will check into it for the August event and let you know what I hear.
BTW the yellow c6 that was in your run group was not a z06. There was only one c6 z06 in your run group, the silver one. The key to that track is good exit speed outta the big turn heading down long pond straight. I hit 153 at fuel cut off in 4th gear. I tried going to fifth but lost momentum so I would hold 4th out. I wish 4th was a bit taller or I had a few more rpm like the z. It was a great day and hope to see ya there again.
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
To get back to the subject of the ECM reflash from DC. I just took a 1800 mile trip up to the New Hampshire mountains from sea level in CT. It was 90 degrees up there. I had already installed the 180 degree thermostat. I had also installed a new test exhaust on our house car so the findings I am about to tell you are not final until I reinstall our track exhaust system as I did not like the new test exhaust. The cars runs much cooler and stays around 175-180 degrees all the time even with the A/C on. The same holds true for the oil temp which just barely started to rise. This is because DC programs the new ECM so that the fan comes on earlier and runs longer therefor keeping the engine cooler. A side benifit is that the A/C is colder too. As for performance, I did see a lot less power. I could not even spin the tires in the mountains. This may be because of the test exhaust which is being re=moved this weekend and replaced by our track exhaust. There was still a lot of popping when letting off the throttle. Another problem that popped up was that there was a lot of pinging under load even though I was running 93 octane with octane booster. Once I returned to sea level in CT this problem went away and the car had a ton more power. Once I replace the exhaust I will retest and see what happens. I am also going to do some timed runs with DC ECM in place, again with the stock ECM, and then with the changed exhaust with both ECMs to see if there is really a big difference. I will keep you posted. If anyone needs new ECM's we have them for $249.95.
Robbie
Robbie
outnumbered
Enthusiast
Hey Robbie,To get back to the subject of the ECM reflash from DC. I just took a 1800 mile trip up to the New Hampshire mountains from sea level in CT. It was 90 degrees up there. I had already installed the 180 degree thermostat. I had also installed a new test exhaust on our house car so the findings I am about to tell you are not final until I reinstall our track exhaust system as I did not like the new test exhaust. The cars runs much cooler and stays around 175-180 degrees all the time even with the A/C on. The same holds true for the oil temp which just barely started to rise. This is because DC programs the new ECM so that the fan comes on earlier and runs longer therefor keeping the engine cooler. A side benifit is that the A/C is colder too. As for performance, I did see a lot less power. I could not even spin the tires in the mountains. This may be because of the test exhaust which is being re=moved this weekend and replaced by our track exhaust. There was still a lot of popping when letting off the throttle. Another problem that popped up was that there was a lot of pinging under load even though I was running 93 octane with octane booster. Once I returned to sea level in CT this problem went away and the car had a ton more power. Once I replace the exhaust I will retest and see what happens. I am also going to do some timed runs with DC ECM in place, again with the stock ECM, and then with the changed exhaust with both ECMs to see if there is really a big difference. I will keep you posted. If anyone needs new ECM's we have them for $249.95.
Robbie
Sorry about helping off the topic.
With the higher elevation do you think the stock program would have done the same or have been worse?What is your track system?
Dan
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
Just a note on Dan's upgrade to the ECM. Make sure you tell him to tune the timing to the max side of 93 octane fuel if you have that octane availble. Otherwise he sets it for for the 91 octane that bis availble in California.
Alos if you have a 2005 and up viper he will need you to send him your ECM as Dan told me that the 2005 and up cars have a nasty habit of popping a DTC if he tried to mprogram a new ECM.
Robbie
Alos if you have a 2005 and up viper he will need you to send him your ECM as Dan told me that the 2005 and up cars have a nasty habit of popping a DTC if he tried to mprogram a new ECM.
Robbie
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