Need a gxp for pcm upgrade testing
08-08-2010, 01:19 AM
#31
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Not real exited here anyway. My experience with "Canned tunes" is they can't be twealed after you receive them and what works for a track, won't do so well in town or on the highway. With all the sensors the N* has and it'* on the fly PCM relearn/retuning itself, I have my doubts Bout how all these things are going to make it work well.
08-08-2010, 12:56 PM
#32
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being someone who has both hacked through some ECM/PCMs and tuned more, i can say that what works for one, will most likely not work as well for another...
08-08-2010, 11:14 PM
#36
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Lets make something clear, it isn't unlocking it. And you wont be able to tune it further than what is overwritten by them. It isn't like normal OBD'* that can be tweaked as you go along. If they write/run a successful program, they will offer a "canned tune" that will boost performance somewhat. This "project" is far from something that will allow you to just start adding mods. Also, the N* Knock Sensors are going to found to be alot more stubborn than the 3800'*. Sam your making a blanket statement for something that has even gotten through infancy. This is by no means a step towards being able to hook a scanner up and tinker away as you modify. And "bolt on'*? What bolt on'*?? In reality this is a mole hill, not a mountain in performance terms. This thread is quite old now and if someone did consider it, I'd suggest calling them to see if they even want to do it and a time table. I have my doubts about the whole thing with the relearning programming the N*PCM has, and that point has been mentioned by them as an obstacle. There are no guarantee'* with this project, so lets keep grounded here please. This isn't new, it'* bogged down, and alot of what ifs still on the table. For $500 I would have to be given some hard assurances and guarantee'* a PCM from them did some significant things, maintained street drive-ability, and the car wouldn't relearn old tricks down the road.
08-09-2010, 01:04 AM
#37
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Lets make something clear, it isn't unlocking it. And you wont be able to tune it further than what is overwritten by them. It isn't like normal OBD'* that can be tweaked as you go along. If they write/run a successful program, they will offer a "canned tune" that will boost performance somewhat. This "project" is far from something that will allow you to just start adding mods. Also, the N* Knock Sensors are going to found to be alot more stubborn than the 3800'*. Sam your making a blanket statement for something that has even gotten through infancy. This is by no means a step towards being able to hook a scanner up and tinker away as you modify. And "bolt on'*? What bolt on'*?? In reality this is a mole hill, not a mountain in performance terms. This thread is quite old now and if someone did consider it, I'd suggest calling them to see if they even want to do it and a time table. I have my doubts about the whole thing with the relearning programming the N*PCM has, and that point has been mentioned by them as an obstacle. There are no guarantee'* with this project, so lets keep grounded here please. This isn't new, it'* bogged down, and alot of what ifs still on the table. For $500 I would have to be given some hard assurances and guarantee'* a PCM from them did some significant things, maintained street drive-ability, and the car wouldn't relearn old tricks down the road.
if it was never unlocked or successfully had a file writen to it, how do you know that you're unable to tweak it as you go? or the knock sensors might interfere? or unable to have mods and so on?
Finished up development work on 1996-1999 Cadillac ECM--so we can provide custom tuning for your kit cars, turbo, cam, custom 4.6L engine builds. We're presently rebuilding the engine dyno room for further performance engine work and standalone applications. Stay tuned for development on 2000 + Northstar performance, as well as the 2004-2005 Pontiac GXP 4.6L.
BUT if they are able to write to a PCM why wouldnt they be able to adjust it the way they want depending on what mods you have? if you cant do it, they prolly can right on the dyno, as for the knock sensors, you cant say that if it was never done yet.. just because this thread is over 6 months old doesnt mean they werent able to do, we all know how rare are the GXPs specially here in canada, theres not even one for sale in alberta on autotrader and maybe 3 all accross canada... and the ones that are owned are driven by old people that drive 20km under the speed limit and dont care for modding them.. it was never done before? true.. but theres a first time for everything
not every car out there have a company making turbo or */c kits for them, you have many people that custom fit a turbo kit at home or ina shop, and they tune accordingly
superchargers, turbo kits, intakes and so on are considered "bolt ons", google it
and i did call them and they are down for it as long as they have a test car
08-09-2010, 11:22 PM
#38
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I hear your side of it Sam, but having the car 5 years and being part of the talk and hope for that time has drug me down. And I just wanted to make clear to newer members this isn't a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
A 1999 Caddy ECM and a 2005 PCM are two different animals. Like comparing a mechanical calculator to a Gaming computer. Making crisper shifts, removing limiters, altering fuel just goes so far. And for $500?? If they can get around the engine and tranny'* constant relearn procedure which affects every function of the engine, including variable ignition timing.
What GM has produced in the LD8 is a very drivable car across many conditions. Not sure I want to trade that at the cost of shutting it all down.
We will never see aftermarket bolt-ons, per se with the LD8. Production numbers won't prompt companies to manufacture such. Yes their are "generic" superchargers and turbos that could be fitted if they can alter timing and make it stick. Other than that you cant alter the engine itself in any fashion. Best case scenario: They are successful in altering the programming ~ $500. Then how much to adjust things for boost. $2000 for parts (Doesn't cover any labor/fabrication in one very tight hole) for a basic STS turbo that will net you hopefully 6-8 Lbs of boost. High flow MAF $350 + intake. Then to deal with resulting KR $? Alot of cash for a little more giddyup with uncertainties along the way.
I guess I'm just tired of getting my hopes up for things that never seem to end as roadblocks to really waking up the N* engine. I appreciate their interest, it would be great if a donor up there in the Great North steps up and something good comes of it. But going to keep my sanity and consider it a minor event until/unless more comes of it.
A 1999 Caddy ECM and a 2005 PCM are two different animals. Like comparing a mechanical calculator to a Gaming computer. Making crisper shifts, removing limiters, altering fuel just goes so far. And for $500?? If they can get around the engine and tranny'* constant relearn procedure which affects every function of the engine, including variable ignition timing.
What GM has produced in the LD8 is a very drivable car across many conditions. Not sure I want to trade that at the cost of shutting it all down.
We will never see aftermarket bolt-ons, per se with the LD8. Production numbers won't prompt companies to manufacture such. Yes their are "generic" superchargers and turbos that could be fitted if they can alter timing and make it stick. Other than that you cant alter the engine itself in any fashion. Best case scenario: They are successful in altering the programming ~ $500. Then how much to adjust things for boost. $2000 for parts (Doesn't cover any labor/fabrication in one very tight hole) for a basic STS turbo that will net you hopefully 6-8 Lbs of boost. High flow MAF $350 + intake. Then to deal with resulting KR $? Alot of cash for a little more giddyup with uncertainties along the way.
I guess I'm just tired of getting my hopes up for things that never seem to end as roadblocks to really waking up the N* engine. I appreciate their interest, it would be great if a donor up there in the Great North steps up and something good comes of it. But going to keep my sanity and consider it a minor event until/unless more comes of it.
08-25-2010, 07:35 PM
#39
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I spoke with Lyndon (at Westers Garage) today just to get an update on how things are proceeding.
He confirmed that he was able to get with a GXP owner who is with-in 2 hours of them, but because of the weather and the fact the cars have to be clean and dry to go into the dyno, it may be a while before they are able to do the actual testing.
Based on what he said, looks like programming should be ready for spring.
He also confirmed minor changes like speed limiter, tranny shift points, shift firmness, can be done now. It'* the actual engine programming that will not be available until spring.
He also states that due to the nature of this PCM, it is almost required that you send in the PCM from your vehicle for programming. He said that the number of re-learns that must be performed for the installation of a new (new to the vehicle) would make it very hard.
If you need to have a stock PCM, it'* suggested that you get a second (stock) PCM, install it and get all the relearns done. Once completed, send the extra in for modification.
Thanks,
Ken
He confirmed that he was able to get with a GXP owner who is with-in 2 hours of them, but because of the weather and the fact the cars have to be clean and dry to go into the dyno, it may be a while before they are able to do the actual testing.
Based on what he said, looks like programming should be ready for spring.
He also confirmed minor changes like speed limiter, tranny shift points, shift firmness, can be done now. It'* the actual engine programming that will not be available until spring.
He also states that due to the nature of this PCM, it is almost required that you send in the PCM from your vehicle for programming. He said that the number of re-learns that must be performed for the installation of a new (new to the vehicle) would make it very hard.
If you need to have a stock PCM, it'* suggested that you get a second (stock) PCM, install it and get all the relearns done. Once completed, send the extra in for modification.
Thanks,
Ken
I'm willing to trailer my car there from Ontario Canada....
But this Statement confuses me.
He also confirmed minor changes like speed limiter
I have a dyno with in 15 minutes of me
is he willing to ship for a price with program to tune ? And guarantee reimbursement when returned ?