C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

PCM, GEN 7 or FAST BIG STUFF 3 ?

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Old Sep 20, 2007 | 08:51 AM
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Default PCM, GEN 7 or FAST BIG STUFF 3 ?

If I had my car optimally tuned with the pcm in it now on the dyno making it's peak power limits (highest output possible with engine combo) and then swapped it out and switched to an aftermarket system like those mentioned in the title, what can be gained?

Example: 383 making 425 rwhp dyno tuned, fully optimized.

Now, switch to aftermarket system and retune. What can be gained if the engine combo was fully optimized?
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Old Sep 20, 2007 | 05:20 PM
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Nothing.

All 4 of the computers you listed control fuel and spark. If it's optimized, there isn't anything left. It's when you are unable to optimize a combination because of lack of control of some sort that one of the aftermarket systems will be of a benefit.
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Old Sep 20, 2007 | 05:34 PM
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What situations would lead to a combo being unable to be optimized?

I don't have anything too radical.

383
10:1
Super Ram
AFR 195 Eliminators
230/230 0.598"/0.598" with 1.6 CC Pro Mags
Hooker #2149 true duals, 2.75" Dynomax high flow cats to 2 chamber 40 series Flowmasters
ZF6 with McLeod Street Twin
3.33 rear gear
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Old Sep 20, 2007 | 05:47 PM
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I agree with SloR, the aftermarket ECMs will add nothing (other than tuning ease and data log ability) when compared to a properly tuned factory ECM.

Situations where aftermarket would be appropriate are when you exceed the flow of the MA, youu add a lot of boost, a lot of N2O. Basically anything that is well beyond what the factory intended.

I try to convince people to stay with the factory ECM unless they are heavily modified.
Aaron
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Old Sep 20, 2007 | 05:50 PM
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Old Sep 20, 2007 | 10:23 PM
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High rpms (7000+) is another thing that that can make an aftermarket system needed.

For the combination listed above a stock system will work just fine.
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Old Sep 20, 2007 | 10:33 PM
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Interesting. So you guys think that with his combo. He wont have issues in tuning it with the stock prom? Sounds great to me since my cam is only a 226/226 with a 383.

Last edited by 88BlackZ-51; Sep 20, 2007 at 10:40 PM.
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Old Sep 21, 2007 | 08:07 AM
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im mildly/moderately modified running lots of nitrous. I had Alvin burn me two chips.. one for my mod setup and one with my mods + nitrous for the track. I am still using the stock computer. The car has never run better after I got my chips from him.
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Old Sep 21, 2007 | 02:46 PM
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I went from a stock ECM running 10.1s to an aftermarket GEN7 running 10.1s. Only thing that I gained was a little relief when I step on the scale - to the tune of 1700 dollars lighter in the wallet.

I turn mine up at 7000 rpms. Oh yeah that was a stock MAF system too!
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Old Sep 21, 2007 | 02:49 PM
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Optimized is optimized, dont overthink it.
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Old Sep 21, 2007 | 05:33 PM
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As usual, you guys gave me the answers I was looking for. I figured the stock pcm was good enough. I suppose there is always instances where tuning can be a pain, but I figured once it was tuned, just simply switching to an aftermarket computer wouldn't just make horsepower for the sake of making horsepower.

Rock on!
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 04:55 AM
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having looked at a few ECU's in the past be glad to know that the C4's is one of the most powerfull I've ever seen. Might not be the easiest but it WILL do anything you want of it.
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by dan_t
be glad to know that the C4's is one of the most powerfull I've ever seen. Might not be the easiest but it WILL do anything you want of it.
to me it's easy to work with and it works alright, my veiw is it could it could stand to process faster, and could use the capability of being able to adjust between the "cracks", as to powerfull, I don't agree...
the up side is, it can get the job done.
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by dan_t
... it WILL do anything you want of it.
Boost --> No.

But I do agree that it will handle 95% of the applications discussed on these boards.
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