Need some advice re. tuning a blown vt 5ltr

[hrt82c]

Hey Guys,

I was hoping you could be of assistance, we have a VT Calais running a powerflow s/c at 10psi. We need to get the computer retuned now and have been making numerous enquiries but we seem to get a hundred different answers some contradicting each other and we just seem to be running around in circles now.

We were hoping to get the delco tuned but some shops say it can't be tuned or its too hard to tune and we'd have to by whatever aftermarket computer they are peddling. Other shops have said yes we can do it, it will cost $400- $800 but we're not too confident given what all the other places have said. Also been told the delco can't be tuned because of the maf.

One tuner suggested that our best option would be to retain the factory ECM and replace the std maf with one from a gen 3. Does this sound right? If anyone with specific knowledge or experience can off some helpful advice it would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Chris :)

[CV8-RO]

Try Dick's Electronics, I think he knows how to tune them.

[Ryzz]

Dick does tune them, however some people are actually looking at getting the ECU's from the LS1's and fitting them to the old Holden 5Ltr Blocks and tuning them from there. Much better results.

You basically need a workshop that does has Kalmaker software, as this is designed to tune the old 5Ltrs. If you goto the Kalmaker website, i THINK they have a list of work shops that have Kalmaker.

[Justice R8]

Dick does tune them, however some people are actually looking at getting the ECU's from the LS1's and fitting them to the old Holden 5Ltr Blocks and tuning them from there. Much better results.

You basically need a workshop that does has Kalmaker software, as this is designed to tune the old 5Ltrs. If you goto the Kalmaker website, i THINK they have a list of work shops that have Kalmaker.

Care to enlighten me how they are getting better results by going to a an ecu from an LS1?
Any idea on how many have been done?
Have any been done?
Any ideas of the cost of all this wizardry Vs using Kalmaker?
Are they stripping engines to fit reluctor wheels so that the computer will read or are they reading off the front of the crank or some other magical way?

HRT82c
Yes it can be tuned with your current computer. There are a couple of ways.
1. Shops that cant do the VT stuff will fit a VS computer and convert to MAP.
2. Can be done using a gen111 airflow meter and Kalmaker as long as the air flow meter doesnt max out, which I have been advised that it shouldnt on your combo
3. Or use a straight map which you would use when fitting something like an 871 blower as there is no room to fit an airflow meter sitting on top of the scoop.
4. There is no need for an aftermarket computer. Some people may suggest aftermarket computers as they are easy for them to work with. Kalmaker software is a lot harder to understand than the new software available now for the LS1's. Seems that in the LS1 business anyone with a laptop and dyno and can kiss arsss is suddenly a gun tuner if they have Martin or Mario's phone number.

The amount of bullshit that gets spruiked on here is getting unbelievable. Scary thing is that people are believing it.

Feel free to give Sam a call as advice is free 02 9772 3195

[Ryzz]

Care to enlighten me how they are getting better results by going to a an ecu from an LS1?
Any idea on how many have been done?
Have any been done?
Any ideas of the cost of all this wizardry Vs using Kalmaker?
Are they stripping engines to fit reluctor wheels so that the computer will read or are they reading off the front of the crank or some other magical way?

I dont know the nity grity of it darren, all i know is from Sonny has mentioned to me and suggested i should do (When i still had my GTS). If you want more precise details of this go and ask Sonny. No need to get your nickers in a knot now :stick:

[Justice R8]

I dont know the nity grity of it darren, all i know is from Sonny has mentioned to me and suggested i should do. If you want more precise details of this go and ask Sonny. No need to get your nickers in a knot now :stick:

I am not getting my knickers in a knot. This guy is getting jerked off everywhere he calls and jumps on here looking for answers and you come back and leave him even more confused. I just dont understand your thinking. Just compare the cost of converting the LS1 wiring and PCM to suit his VT. Ask anyone that has wired an LS1 conversion. Its not a 5 second job. Once all the wires have been cut and you think you have worked it out it still wont run. There is more to it that putting the coil packs on plugging on the spark plug leads and turning the key.

And yes of course anyone that cant use or doesnt have Kalmaker would tell you that you have to use another computer. That may be the reason they cant do VT's and have to put a VS computer in it.

I dont need to ask anyone else as I rang and confirmed my thoughts with Sam.
Thats all the free info lessons for today.

[Ryzz]

I am not getting my knickers in a knot. This guy is getting jerked off everywhere he calls and jumps on here looking for answers and you come back and leave him even more confused. I just dont understand your thinking. Just compare the cost of converting the LS1 wiring and PCM to suit his VT. Ask anyone that has wired an LS1 conversion. Its not a 5 second job. Once all the wires have been cut and you think you have worked it out it still wont run. There is more to it that putting the coil packs on plugging on the spark plug leads and turning the key.

And yes of course anyone that cant use or doesnt have Kalmaker would tell you that you have to use another computer. That may be the reason they cant do VT's and have to put a VS computer in it.

I dont need to ask anyone else as I rang and confirmed my thoughts with Sam.
Thats all the free info lessons for today.
Im sure the guy isnt going to read and straight away go and order an LS1 ecu just because someone mentioned it has/can be done. Of course he is going to look into it further. I never suggested it was a 5 second job nor the answer, i was just giving him the different options.

[Delco]

The VT computer can be tuned with a MAF or with MAFLESS 2 bar , the kalmaker programs your tuner needs to have is W60 ( for maf tune ) or B60 for mafless tune.

I am sure Dick or Sam could sort this out for you.

The best option is to retain the factory computer , we do a lot of these cars using this combo and some pretty serious blown ones at that , full drivability should be retained.

If someone tells you that you need to rep the factory computer out - tell tham thanks for there time and walk away as they obviously dont know what they are doing.

Also dont fit a VS V8 computer into a VT V8 huge step backwards and you will have dash issues.

[hrt82c]

I have called Dick and Sam. Dick told me that I was best off changing ecu and loom over to VR-VS, which I thought that I would be losing features and going backwards, and Sam wasn't sure about it and would get back to me and that was 3 weeks ago

[hrt82c]

Sorry, for some strange reason half of my post didn't appear. Anyway, what else I was going to say is that I managed to get onto a guy from BlueChip tuning and he gave me the following advice:

"The car can be tuned really well if setup correctly, the first issue is the std
Maf sensor.
The std Maf will max out @ 240 odd grams per second [airflow],this is not a
problem with a stock or even mildly worked N\A engine, however once you force 10 psi boost down it's belly it can't cope as you may reach airflow figures of 350 to 400 grams per second.
The proper way to overcome this problem is to replace the std maf with one
of a 5.7 Gen3, these things max out @ 393 grams and with the Kalmaker software the look up table can be extended to 512 grams per second."

To me it sounds like this guy knows what he is talking about, what do you guys think? because I thought I would pass this suggestions onto Sam so I can hurry up and get this thing tuned.

Thanks Chris :)

[Justice R8]

I have called Dick and Sam. Dick told me that I was best off changing ecu and loom over to VR-VS, which I thought that I would be losing features and going backwards, and Sam wasn't sure about it and would get back to me and that was 3 weeks ago

spoke to Sam and he has lost your number and has been waiting for you to call back. Wont be a problem using your existing computer.

[Chris5.7ltr]

Theres no way you will need to change computers or rewire your loom, like what Darren and Delco said if someone trys to spin you that crap walk away and find someone that knows what they are doing with the original ECU.

I know of Holden V8 strokers with blowers fitted running 500rwhp and still use the standard ECU.

[Bean Man]

I agree, anyone who says Delco ECUs can't tune forced induction need to look at all those factory s/c v6's around. It's the amount of boost that is the key.

Bean Man

[hrt82c]

Its not that the delcos can't be tuned, because I know they can, its that the MAF maxs out at 8-9 psi. Thats my dilemma.

I'll get in touch with Sam soon.

[driver]

Its not that the delcos can't be tuned, because I know they can, its that the MAF maxs out at 8-9 psi. Thats my dilemma.

I'll get in touch with Sam soon.

Dont be too concerned, GenIII maf's are a dime a dozen! (and sounds like a real option from the above)