Standalone Engine management
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
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From: Tallahassee Florida
Standalone Engine management
Alright guys been searching the forum and the internet for days now and only left me more confused. Too many options..
a little background I'm building a glass Lotus 7 kit out of a 1992 C4 6 speed. The plan is to basically build a running rolling chassis so that I can tune the power-train and suspension easily while we build the body on the side. Now the question. I want a simple harness with ecm that runs the car and gauges. No ASR, ABS, SRS, CCM, ECBM, A/C, VATS, and all the other acronyms that make the harness look like chinese to me. I've considered well... before I poison the thread with my stupidity what do you guys think? Ideal would be to use as many of the stock items on the motor as possible but wouldn't be totally against some modifications either. Also, I know I can save a ton of money by endlessly researching wiring diagrams and FSMs but don't have time for that. Would like to catalog build this if I can. Plug and play all the way if possible.
a little background I'm building a glass Lotus 7 kit out of a 1992 C4 6 speed. The plan is to basically build a running rolling chassis so that I can tune the power-train and suspension easily while we build the body on the side. Now the question. I want a simple harness with ecm that runs the car and gauges. No ASR, ABS, SRS, CCM, ECBM, A/C, VATS, and all the other acronyms that make the harness look like chinese to me. I've considered well... before I poison the thread with my stupidity what do you guys think? Ideal would be to use as many of the stock items on the motor as possible but wouldn't be totally against some modifications either. Also, I know I can save a ton of money by endlessly researching wiring diagrams and FSMs but don't have time for that. Would like to catalog build this if I can. Plug and play all the way if possible.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 67
Hi !
In my opinion the 1992/93 Corvette ECM is perfect for you. First when used in conjunction with an Ostrich you can do real time tuning: REAL TIME !!!
Second in the chip you can turn OFF almost anything you do not want such as VATS.
Third there are several companies offering complete wiring harness.
Just my opinion - simple and cheap ! greg
In my opinion the 1992/93 Corvette ECM is perfect for you. First when used in conjunction with an Ostrich you can do real time tuning: REAL TIME !!!
Second in the chip you can turn OFF almost anything you do not want such as VATS.
Third there are several companies offering complete wiring harness.
Just my opinion - simple and cheap ! greg
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee Florida
Hi !
In my opinion the 1992/93 Corvette ECM is perfect for you. First when used in conjunction with an Ostrich you can do real time tuning: REAL TIME !!!
Second in the chip you can turn OFF almost anything you do not want such as VATS.
Third there are several companies offering complete wiring harness.
Just my opinion - simple and cheap ! greg
In my opinion the 1992/93 Corvette ECM is perfect for you. First when used in conjunction with an Ostrich you can do real time tuning: REAL TIME !!!
Second in the chip you can turn OFF almost anything you do not want such as VATS.
Third there are several companies offering complete wiring harness.
Just my opinion - simple and cheap ! greg
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 67
Depends ! The 1994 - 96 PCM can be flashed but not real time ! Also to get full benefit of the newer PCM you need a MAF sensor.
There's nothing wrong with the 1992/93 S/D system. http://howellefi.com/gm-lt1-products...harnesses.html
Howell makes a great harness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's nothing wrong with the 1992/93 S/D system. http://howellefi.com/gm-lt1-products...harnesses.html
Howell makes a great harness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by BlowerWorks; Mar 6, 2015 at 08:35 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 67
Also I can provide you with a starter tune and if you want I can help you do your own tune.
If you want to continue our discussion and see a proposal please e-mail me: greg@blowerworks.net
greg
If you want to continue our discussion and see a proposal please e-mail me: greg@blowerworks.net
greg
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee Florida
Depends ! The 1994 - 96 PCM can be flashed but not real time ! Also to get full benefit of the newer PCM you need a MAF sensor.
There's nothing wrong with the 1992/93 S/D system. http://howellefi.com/gm-lt1-products...harnesses.html
Howell makes a great harness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's nothing wrong with the 1992/93 S/D system. http://howellefi.com/gm-lt1-products...harnesses.html
Howell makes a great harness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 67
Couple more comments:
1. The 1994-94 ECM is sequential allowing much bigger injectors. The 1992/93 has no
problem with 63's.
2. That said it is becoming harder to find these PCM's. However you can use the 'F' Body
PCM as well.
3. There is nothing wrong with the many aftermarket ECMs. I like the FAST XFi.
1. The 1994-94 ECM is sequential allowing much bigger injectors. The 1992/93 has no
problem with 63's.
2. That said it is becoming harder to find these PCM's. However you can use the 'F' Body
PCM as well.
3. There is nothing wrong with the many aftermarket ECMs. I like the FAST XFi.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 67
Also I am assuming you have the OPTI since the engine is a 1992 ? The OPTI is fine if vented. You can always change the intake manifold to accept a conventional distributor. Better yet you can run a coil over and eliminate the distributor !
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
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From: Tallahassee Florida
I going to try and go Opti for now. I've already removed, ASR, EGR, and A/C. I'll upgrade injectors, cam, rockers, and long tubes w/no cats but that's about it. The goal curb weight is around 2400 lbs. It would be cool to run a coil on plug but for now just want to clean it up, get leaks, deep maintenance, most important get it running sweet. I saved this thing from the scrap yard. Water had been seeping into this thing for a year. The oem harness is a little brittle in some areas already.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Tallahassee Florida
92-93 PCM to 94-95 PCM
Well some head way in the info dept. Spoke to three different custom harness companies and all of them have said to switch over to the 94-95 PCM due to the older connectors not being available. Apart from the PCM, custom harness, and 3 wire O2 sensors. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am forgetting something? I am eliminating the CCM so I plan to hard wire Autometer gauges. Any suggestions or threads on this?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 34
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From: Tallahassee Florida
92-93 to 94-95 PCM
I gotta say that the guys at Howell Engine Developments are very helpful and definitely knowledgeable. Thanks Greg. I researched and priced Megasquirt and FAST. OEM does what I need and at 1/4th the price. So I ordered a custom harness with 94-95 PCM eliminating all the crap I am not going to use. I plan to install a Prostreet Painless kit to handle the body harness. What should I be looking for as far as gauges any suggestions? Usually the CCM handles info to gauges so I'm going to have to direct wire I guess.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
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If you change to a 94 harness, and the 411 pcm since you have a manual that would be a good option. There used to be a company that made a nice autometer gauge cluster. The company vetteaid made them but I think they are no longer in business. I wanted to do this for my 92 but since it’s an auto there is the torque converter lockup issue. With the 700r4. Now I wish I just had a 96 manual lol