[Vilgent]

I hate to be one of 'those' people, but if you're all about performance you're in the wrong car. The 2002 PCM hype is over-exaggerated. It will give you firmer shifts but I have never seen concrete evidence that it alone provides more HP or performance. And even if it did, it's extremely minimal. All of the conceivable performance upgrades (K&N, 2002 PCM, intake spacers, etc.) put together for our cars still won't tame a true performance enthusiast.

All you're getting here is firmer shifts.

[D0dgeIntrepidRT]

If the PCM swap doesn't really do much then I'll look for a 2004 with the RB1. I kinda grew fond of it in my Jeep. I'm all about performance but I'll lose my license if you put me behind the wheel of a Charger. I also miss my 2001 Dodge Intrepid R/T. I'm looking for a 300M Special Edition since the 300M Special Edition is a more performance oriented and loaded Intrepid R/T. I also always liked the taillights on the later 300M's.

[Vilgent]

Not to sound contradictory, but just be aware they started cost-cutting in 03-04. The M's were the least hit, but the 2002s in particular are the most fully loaded. But if you want more low-mileage options, obviously the 03-04s are going to be more likely to fit that. In any year, however, the Specials will be a lot more loaded than your R/T (another area of this conversation I can attest to).

I would really not look for a car with RB1; they're not overly common in the LHs. Rather, I'd find a Special you like and if it doesn't have it add it - it's a four screw and 5-minute install. Many dealers could use this as a tool to jack the price up more than buying an RB1 actually is (used, that is).

[D0dgeIntrepidRT]

I noticed the cost cutting when I couldn't find a 2002 Dodge Intrepid R/T with a power passenger seat. Will it have all the functionality if I swap in a RB1? In the Jeep it displays if and when you hit the memory buttons. I can find Jeep RB1's without a problem but wouldn't it display Jeep when the car starts if I put a Jeep one in.

[paintballdude05]

If you buy a car and want the Special PCM, PM me and I can hook you up.

[Vilgent]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not believe that functionality was ever in the LHs, nor could it be added. I had a 06 Town and Country RB1 in my 02, and it provided the same functionality as my 04 does. That being said, the EVIC in the Specials will display when you set the memory seats, and might show if you press it altogether (never paid attention). I'm almost positive, as well, that it will display a 'Chrysler' logo instead of a Jeep one. Many of the Intrepid owners who swapped in Special PCMs now see a 'Chrysler' logo when their RB1s pop-up; that seems to be another PCM-dictated feature.

And any RB1 should have the same capabilities as any other; the LH PCM dictates a vast majority of the features. The one notable exception is that the 05 + RB1's can support U-Connect (which was never a feature in the LHs, and obviously 05 RB1's didn't come in them either). Just be advised there, however, that that's a considerable investment to get that functionality.

[paintballdude05]

Personally I don't see why somebody would spend money on an RB1 while you can get something in the aftermarket that is much better in pretty much every respect for the same coin. With that said, I remember reading that the RB1 reads the vehicles VIN and knows if it's a Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep.

[Vilgent]

*Shrug* To each their own.

I know I thought it was really cool after installing it in the 02. But I started using my phone and never really used the RB1. I think I've used it maybe once in the 04 and it wasn't a option I was intentionally looking for, rather my 04 came with it already; I will most likely be selling mine. But each person is different.

[DrDodge]

yea, the RB1 will show "Chrysler" , my RB4 showed "Dodge" the first time I turned it on,, second time,, "Chrysler"

[yman4949]

I know its been a while but I didn't feel like making a new thread so I decided to just keep this one going! I read on here somewhere about how 2.7 cooling fans kick on at higher temps than the 3.2 and 3.5s. Well even since I swapped my 2.7 pcm for the 2002 special pcm I noticed that the fans will kick on after a while and never shut off. Is there anyway to change the special pcm's fan temp settings to the 2.7's? I just feel like im burning up the fans because when I kick the AC on I hear them kick to high speed and it sounds horrible!

[YesImLDS]

Well crap. I don't know specifically about that. Sorry for not really helping about that problem, but also how/where exactly did you get a 2002 special pcm in your 2.7l trep? I know that many people do the swap, but I have never specifically been told the exact How-To

[Squilliam]

Its not fun....its not easy.

[YesImLDS]

I just shat myself a little bit, but also I have a 3.5l h.o. 300m platinum. Not a 2.7l. From what I have been able to find it's simply having the "dealer do it" and it shouldn't take more then "an hour of labor" But heck I have no idea and nor am I mechanically inclined to say opposite of.

[Squilliam]

The motor really has nothing to do with it. It what your car has to run the PCM properly. I wanted mine to be factory correct with no splicing, so I had to replace the dash harness with one that had the SKIM pigtail. If you dont have SKIM, then its not just a matter of plugging it in. The easiest way to do it it to have all three matching items. SKIM, PCM and key. Then, if you have SKIM already, its just plug and play. After I did every thing, a year later I had to test a Special PCM for a member on here and it took me 14 minutes to swap the hardware.

[YesImLDS]

Ah I see, so what exactly should my first steps be on getting a 2002 special pcm. I know that I don't specifically need the 3.89 gears but my speedo will be off a little without them and I will probably do that mod sometime later as well.