95 4.0 tuning, or PCM swap?

19bonestock88 · Feb 24, 2015

So, I've been looking into getting tuned, and have found mixed opinions on how. I have been talking with MorePowerTuning, online, and they seem to be shying away from tuning me, not from lack of support, but because they haven't tuned the ROT2 PCM before... A member over on RPS suggested using the 98 4.0/manual trans PCM, supposedly more tuning capability... Your opinions?

Any recommendations for a good SCT tuning shop?

Is the 98 PCM swap plug and play?

RonD · Feb 24, 2015

It could be because the '95 PCM was OBD II but not completely, this was the transition year for Rangers going from EEC-IV(OBD I) to EEC-V(OBD II)
I know most OBD II readers can not communicate with the '95 Ranger PCMs.

Sure, '98 would be a safe year to use, not sure when the Ranger 4.0l OHV got the 2 wire Cam Sensor, I think in '99, but your '95 would have a 3 wire CPS and the PCMs are different, i.e. a 2 wire CPS won't work on a 3 wire CPS PCM, it isn't just a wiring difference.
I know '97 PCM will use 3 wire CPS.

Yes, if you have a manual trans then you need a manual trans PCM

What are you doing to the engine that would require a "tune"?

19bonestock88 · Feb 25, 2015

I know that my UltraGauge can communicate with my truck through the port... I can view all kinds of operating parameters, including RPM, ign advance, IAT, TPS, O2 voltage, etc... I assume that it's flashable, but to be honest, I don't know 100%...

The whole thing started with me wanting to get an SCT programmer, to get maybe a 10% bump in power, and a little better fuel economy while I was there... The company I found offered free custom email tunes with purchase, so I asked questions about custom tunes, after which they shyed away...

Literally, I asked for:

Lower DFCO "low threshold", 1000 instead of 1250
Lower idle speed(600 instead of 750)

And the speedo calibration to be left unlocked so that when I re-gear(expo axle swap), I didn't need to pay for a re-tune just to re-calibrate for whatever ratio I end up with(they never made a 3L08 31 spline axle with disc brakes, lol)...

And after such, they all of a sudden seemed reluctant to proceed... Before this, they noted similarities to the 98 PCM which they have tuned before and seemed optimistic, but reserved...

And no, I haven't done anything to her which would require tuning...yet. Forced induction remains a thought in the back of my mind, but I haven't gathered any parts, such as turbo/intercooler, injectors, piping, or anything else...

19bonestock88 · Feb 25, 2015

And I looked on RockAuto to reference the CPS part numbers, and it's the same Motorcraft #DU57 part, between 95 and 98... Does this mean I can swap PCMs over without issue, or are there other sensor issues?

EDIT: crank position sensor appears to be different part number, not sure if that matters...

snoranger · Feb 26, 2015

The crank position sensor just changed the style, nothing electrical changed. I have a '95 computer working with an '01 sensor.

RangerSVT · Feb 26, 2015

As far as end user adjustability, you can adjust idle speed in both neutral and in gear (your case, clutch in), adjust for tire size, as well as ignition timing up to 4* advance and 14* retard depending on rpm range. James Henson has been tuning rbv's for a while, he could do an email tune for you. If you boost, you will need to see dyno time to get a proper tune, email tunes will only get you so far, and are dangerous...

SVT

19bonestock88 · Feb 26, 2015

So, the 95 PCM(ROT2) can in fact be tuned by SCT software? I'm looking specifically at the iTSX due to the lack of need for a PC with that setup...

And I understand the dangerous part of tuning a boosted truck without a dyno, every turbo setup performs differently on every vehicle, and each needs a custom calibration to run properly and safely... I would need to run one to get me to a dyno(nearest is a couple hundred miles IIRC), but I also wouldn't let it suck too much boost...

RangerSVT · Feb 26, 2015

If its OBD2, it can be tuned with SCT. Every SCT tuner does not need a pc to operate. A pc/laptop is needed to update the software for the device, but thats not often, if ever.
You can build the turbo setup, and instead of running the turbo outlet to the tb, just run an air filter through the maf, and drive it like that to the dyno...

SVT

19bonestock88 · Feb 26, 2015

I was specifically referencing the need for a PC when loading new tunes onto anything but iTSX, unless there's something I'm missing?

RangerSVT · Feb 26, 2015

The tunes are stored in the handheld. The only time tunes are loaded from a pc is when custom tunes are wrote, and that comes from an SCT dealer...

SVT

19bonestock88 · Feb 26, 2015

Given that I was looking at email tunes, I need to use the iTSX to be able to load them with my iPad...

Anyway, is there a dealer you can recommend? Given the sudden lack of cooperation from MPT, I'm not so sure I want to use them... And given that there aren't any local, location isn't as big of an issue, until I eventually get around to the forced induction stage...

RangerSVT · Feb 27, 2015

James Henson does tuning tor the rbv crowd, he's familiar with different upgrades of the rbv's, including swaps. He'd be the first guy I'd go to if I wasn't tuning...

SVT

19bonestock88 · Feb 27, 2015

How do I contact him? Is that his username, can I PM him? Is he a dealer? Website?

RangerSVT · Feb 28, 2015

Hensonperformance.com

SVT

95 4.0 tuning, or PCM swap?

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