Accel Thruster install on 85 - work in progress
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Yukon OK
Accel Thruster install on 85 - work in progress
I got started with the Thruster install yesterday. Pulled back and unwrapped all the old wiring, and the new harness in place (mostly).
Locating the ECU behind the front passenger tire under the heater blower motor. I removed the windshield washer reservoir to make room for it. Just fits and makes running the wiring harness pretty easy.
One thing I did that was not in the instructions was to replace the cold start sensor with a standard coolant temp sensor. This way I have two coolant sensors. One for the stock ECU to feed the dash and one for the Accel.
Rather than run a new wire for the switched 12 volts I used the 12 volt line running to the injectors which is on its own fuse and is no longer used.
I set it up with a template from the Accel web site that looked pretty close. Did the TPS calibration. I was really pleased when it fired up on the first attempt and was able to idle.
One delay to this project was the O2 sensor location. The stock Accel wiring harness assumes that the sensor will be located on the passenger side and so the harness is fairly short. My O2 sensor is on the drivers side. I found a harness to extend the O2 sensor lead at Jegs that had the correct connectors. I prefer that to splicing and extending the Accel harness.
As part of the conversion to a MAP based system I took the MAF apart and gutted it. Then fabricated a plate out of 1/4" aluminum plate to block it off. This way I can run my stock air cleaner and eliminate the restriction of the MAF components.
Locating the ECU behind the front passenger tire under the heater blower motor. I removed the windshield washer reservoir to make room for it. Just fits and makes running the wiring harness pretty easy.
One thing I did that was not in the instructions was to replace the cold start sensor with a standard coolant temp sensor. This way I have two coolant sensors. One for the stock ECU to feed the dash and one for the Accel.
Rather than run a new wire for the switched 12 volts I used the 12 volt line running to the injectors which is on its own fuse and is no longer used.
I set it up with a template from the Accel web site that looked pretty close. Did the TPS calibration. I was really pleased when it fired up on the first attempt and was able to idle.
One delay to this project was the O2 sensor location. The stock Accel wiring harness assumes that the sensor will be located on the passenger side and so the harness is fairly short. My O2 sensor is on the drivers side. I found a harness to extend the O2 sensor lead at Jegs that had the correct connectors. I prefer that to splicing and extending the Accel harness.
As part of the conversion to a MAP based system I took the MAF apart and gutted it. Then fabricated a plate out of 1/4" aluminum plate to block it off. This way I can run my stock air cleaner and eliminate the restriction of the MAF components.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Yukon OK
Making good progress. Everything hooked up and functioning.
Set the Timing, Throttle body min air, IAC and TPS. Started in on the VE table. Holding a nice smooth idle and revs crisply. Need to get out and do some test drives and check the Fuel / Air under load.
Set the Timing, Throttle body min air, IAC and TPS. Started in on the VE table. Holding a nice smooth idle and revs crisply. Need to get out and do some test drives and check the Fuel / Air under load.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
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From: Yukon OK
Began tuning the lower RPMs at no and low loads. Moving along nicely.
Received my wideband O2 sensor from Innovate and got it set up to work with the Accel. The kit came with an LED display that I can mount inside and have a full time Air Fuel Ratio display on the dash.
In the process of hooking up the check engine light in the dash to the Accel malfunction indicator. I am using some of the wires from the engine bay to the removed ECM connectors. Saves running new wires through the firewall.
Doing the same with the interface module. Splicing the wires so I can locate it in the dash on the passenger side. That will give me the USB connection right where I need it to use the laptop for tuning.
That's it for now.
Received my wideband O2 sensor from Innovate and got it set up to work with the Accel. The kit came with an LED display that I can mount inside and have a full time Air Fuel Ratio display on the dash.
In the process of hooking up the check engine light in the dash to the Accel malfunction indicator. I am using some of the wires from the engine bay to the removed ECM connectors. Saves running new wires through the firewall.
Doing the same with the interface module. Splicing the wires so I can locate it in the dash on the passenger side. That will give me the USB connection right where I need it to use the laptop for tuning.
That's it for now.
