12200411 PCM tuning question

[rb1]

Hi,
I am new to PCM programming and have been reading everything I can to get up to speed. I have a "stock" 1998 vortec engine and injection system on my engine dyno, and the owner has bought a complete wiring harness and PCM from a shop that specializes in this stuff. He is going to put the engine in a street rod. I have tried to contact the wiring shop who sold this stuff, but they have not returned any inquiries yet. On the sales info that came with the PCM, they indicate the reason they use an LS1 (12200411 PCM) stems from the fact that '97/'98 PCMs are too hard to find, which I have no reason to doubt.

So my question is, what hardware / software would I need to tune the engine?

The engine runs fine on the dyno, but my wide band shows about 11:1 A/F ratio, aned the snap-on scanner we were using showed only 24 degrees timing at WOT. I would like to lean it out a bit, and increase the spark timing.

I guess my other question is.. Although I am just getting into PCM stuff, (been doing carburetors for 20 years)... I was surprised that it would be possible to use a 2001 era PCM to control a 1998 injection system... I thought there would be too many differences? Would the programmer have to do some dramatic changes in the PCM to accomplish this?

thanks for the help,

rb

[rat]

You are going to need a 2001-2002 express van calibration to flash into the ecm. Then you can modify it from there to make the engine run at whatever afr/spark advance you want.

But it sounds like you already have the ecm controlling the engine? So then when you buy whatever software package you choose you can download the tune from the comptuer, modify it, then flash it back into the comptuer.

The '96+ fuel injection system you are working with didn't change on that engine until 2002 when it was phased out of the express vans due to the model changeover.

[Hog]

You can use Tunercats/jet DST and the def. file for a 2001-2002 truck.
The 01-02 fullsize vans used the Vortec 305 and 350 as an engine.

The 96-97 fullsize trucks and the 98-99 trucks PCM's are different the 98-00 PCM's use a VATS while the 96-97 doesnt.
in 1999 the older black PCM was used in the classic style trucks as well as in the Tahoe Limited Classic body style with a Vortec 350 in the classic body style.
Here are some older truck PCM pn's that drive the 4.3-7.4L engines.
16244210 1996
16208546 1996
16229684 1997

16250279 1998
09355699 1998
16263494 1999


Here is an example of the 411 PCM being used in a 98-00 oldbody style truck with the Vortec 305/350 engines.
http://www.pacificp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3240


There is more tuning support for the 411 PCM as well.

If you use thePCM pinouts from a 2001-2002 5.0 or 5.7L van for the 411 PCM you can run any 96-2000 305 or 350.

I am sure other can help you out more.
peace
Hog

[Hog]

All the pinouts you will ever need are in this thread. Included are the 96-97 truck and 98-2000 truck as well as the 01-02 Van 305/350 pinouts.

98 S10 4.3 vortec PCM in a 97 S10 4.3 vortec truck

peace
Hog

[rb1]

A very BIG thank you to both Rat and Hog.

Your explanations make alot of sense. That thread Hog referred to is very interesting, especially with Craig Moates involvement.

A side note, would the TunerCat / Jet software allow me to view the cam sync numbers? We had to borrow a Snap-on scanner to set the distributor position for proper 0 +/- 2 cam sync timing once it fired up on the dyno... was hoping that if we get into this stuff deeper, that we would not have to buy one of those overpriced scanners.

If the software does not show this data, may I ask how do others accomplish this?

thanks again, it is very nice to get such prompt help,
rb

[s10mods]

I have the autotap software and it shows CMP retard but it's not like my brothers techII it shows way off like 4K degrees? I just picked it up so im not sure what's wrong with it.

[rb1]

Hi every... THANKS for the info!!

I did not know about the CMP acronym. I just googled it (cmp retard) and the first post actually answers your question!

See it here:
The Auto Channel Forums :: View topic - Checking/Setting CMP retard with PC based scantool?&

back to regular sched. programming... anyone know if the tunercat stuff does it?

rb

[scuzz]

Has anyone tried the re-learn procedure using TCII yet?
I'm about a month out from having mine ready to fire. I'd like to know.
Thanks,
Ron

[rat]

Has anyone tried the re-learn procedure using TCII yet?
I'm about a month out from having mine ready to fire. I'd like to know.
Thanks,
Ron

I am fairly sure tuner cat doesn't support Crankshaft re-learn at the moment.

[s10mods]

I winder if TCII will ever support Crank Relarn? That would be sweet.