In 1999 the L36 saw its first redesign since its introduction in late1995. A new intake manifold was introduced that was straight, not angled slightly as in earlier years. The cable-controlled throttle was replaced with an electronic "drive by wire" system. The new throttle plate opens and closes by way of an electric motor based on inputs from the TAC module, which reads pedal position and movement with three different sensors. For Y87 automatics, there is a PCM update from GM that will "correct throttle lag during heavy acceleration". For non-Y87 automatics and all manuals there is no correction because GM decided that there is no need for one. All V6 cars get a one-piece steel driveshaft to replace the two piece steel unit used in earlier years. There is a bulletin out warning that excessive speeds (excess of 125 mph) can cause the tail shaft extension seal to vibrate out and allow all of the transmission fluid to leak out. The fix as recommended by GM is to replace the steel one piece driveshaft with the steel two piece version from earlier years; the fix recommended by many automotive enthusiasts is to replace the steel one piece driveshaft with an aluminum one. SGS (Second Gear Start) became standard on all automatic cars as a type of traction-control-like system. It starts the transmission in second gear instead of first to help prevent wheel spin on slippery surfaces. It does hurt the transmission (it heats the fluid more because the torque converter is slipping more) and offers no benefit during everyday driving. The old disc-type limited slip differential (Auburn) was replaced with a Zexel-Torsen torque sensing limited slip differential. The new differential requires the use of synthetic differential fluid because of its design. The slip-limiting uses metal-to-metal contact inside the case and thus requires the use of the more "slippery" synthetic lubricant.

I was trouble shooting an ignition problem on someone’* 2000 or 2001 V6 Camaro a few months back and noticed it was a drive by wire TB :? I'm not fond of the idea of a drive by wire TB and I don't like how it reacts (at least in my friend'* Comp G.) I'm sure a Intense PCM would be a better fix for the lag in any 3800 with a drive by wire TB.

Ed

Ya, all the Gen5 SC'* are drive by wire so I had to adapt mine to run like my cabled Gen3. I don't have that much trust in the PCM not malfunctioning at the worst possible moment.

Me too, not like I would have even considered trying to use the TB that came on my L32. My best friend has a few instances where he says he is not on the gas and all of a sudden the motor goes to what feels like 50-75% throttle for a just second. 2 Dealerships have found nothing, even after updating & reflashing his PCM it has still happened. If it wasn't for his warranty right now I would tell him to get an Intense PCM or buy him one for Christmas

It'* just gives the PCM more control over what’* happening to reduce warranty work caused by abuse IMO.


Ed

They didn't consider the pedal position sensor a possibility?

FWIW We've never had an issue with the Solstice, or my GTI, i didn't like the idea new, but I see how much it helps with systems like TC, CC, etc..

Mine feels fine, solstice *might* be more disconnected, i don't really remember.