Why does everybody recommend converting to drive by cable?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Escondido
Why does everybody recommend converting to drive by cable? I hope this hasn't been beaten to death.
I searched and couldn't find a conclusive answer:
Is there a benefit to one over the other?
I see where drive by wire would be good since you just have to mount the accelerator. But drive by cable you'd have to mount the pedal, make sure the cable works, etc. etc.
Seems simpler to do drive by wire? Please advise, all opinions welcomed.
I searched and couldn't find a conclusive answer:
Is there a benefit to one over the other?
I see where drive by wire would be good since you just have to mount the accelerator. But drive by cable you'd have to mount the pedal, make sure the cable works, etc. etc.
Seems simpler to do drive by wire? Please advise, all opinions welcomed.
There are a lot of people that simply don't trust the DBW design and would prefer to be directly connected to the throttle. DBC people are always quick to jump on DBW failing but never seem to mention all the times that cable throttles have gotten stuck. Not wanting to deal with wiring is another reason, and pedal feel too. Its really up to the individual and their budget. I say that if you buy a complete engine and it has DBW, keep it...same for DBC...use what you have to keep the costs down.
I bought a 2003 mazda6 and I drove it for a year before I realized it had DBW... I took all the intake **** off to do a full tune up on it and when my wife turned the car on, the throttle body cycled from WOT stop to stop... scared the **** out of me. haha.. I had my fingers inside it to clean out the TB... I never noticed it didnt have a cable...I also never felt a funky pedal either...Id say the DBW systems have an aesthetic advantage as well as an advantage for swaps...
I can't recall seeing to many suggest dropping dbw if it's already in place. The exception would be if you are trying to save some money after you put on a new intake and large aftermarket tb.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 426
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX
Might as well just get used to DBW, because on late-model LS engines, you do not have the option for DBC. All the CAN stuff will only work with the DBW throttle. I have it on 4 of my cars and like it just fine. I have one car with a LS1 that is DBC, and I really can't tell the difference.
Regards, John McGraw
Regards, John McGraw
I have DBW on my 05 pickup and an both my 72 442 and 68 corvette LSx swaps. No issues and they integrate cruise control into the ecu.
As was pointed out, later ECUs dont even have the capability for an IAC driver needed with cable TB.
As was pointed out, later ECUs dont even have the capability for an IAC driver needed with cable TB.
Trending Topics
I'm thinking this guy might blame his driving on a DBW "issue"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzlg3...ature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzlg3...ature=youtu.be
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I'm thinking this guy might blame his driving on a DBW "issue"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzlg3...ature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzlg3...ature=youtu.be
One possible reason to convert may be reaction time. I've noticed several times where my foot position is out of synch with what the computer is doing. In fact, a common complaint of DBW is late reaction to sudden acceleration after a slowdown (example: approaching a red light you know is going to turn green, and attempting to "time" it for a quick jump). I've had my G8 "think about it" for a second before reacting to a quarter-throttle hit. Under similar circumstances, my TA would just go.
Mind you, this isn't enough for me to jump over to DBC. It's just an irritation I've learned to live with. I understand some tuning adjustments may reduce occurrences. However, some people may be bugged enough by this slight disconnect between driver intent and computer delivery to make the conversion. It may be especially critical in racing scenarios.
Mind you, this isn't enough for me to jump over to DBC. It's just an irritation I've learned to live with. I understand some tuning adjustments may reduce occurrences. However, some people may be bugged enough by this slight disconnect between driver intent and computer delivery to make the conversion. It may be especially critical in racing scenarios.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Murray, KY
I personally like DBC, if you are doing a swap and have to change the pedal or didn't get the factory pedal it can be difficult to figure exactly what you need or if the pedal from the vehicle the engine came out of doesn't work in your particular situation that could create an issue but, you can get a grinder and welder and make any necessary modifications you need to do to make it work. I've only seen a DBW pedal crap out once on a '08 Impala. Like stated above, you can have that hesitation when you hit the accelerator but, I haven't really noticed it except in one Silverado I drove but, his TB was NASTY and gunked up, cleaned it and the hesitation was almost gone, very slight. It comes down to a matter of what you want whether you go DBW or DBC.
One possible reason to convert may be reaction time. I've noticed several times where my foot position is out of synch with what the computer is doing. In fact, a common complaint of DBW is late reaction to sudden acceleration after a slowdown (example: approaching a red light you know is going to turn green, and attempting to "time" it for a quick jump). I've had my G8 "think about it" for a second before reacting to a quarter-throttle hit. Under similar circumstances, my TA would just go.
Mind you, this isn't enough for me to jump over to DBC. It's just an irritation I've learned to live with. I understand some tuning adjustments may reduce occurrences. However, some people may be bugged enough by this slight disconnect between driver intent and computer delivery to make the conversion. It may be especially critical in racing scenarios.
Mind you, this isn't enough for me to jump over to DBC. It's just an irritation I've learned to live with. I understand some tuning adjustments may reduce occurrences. However, some people may be bugged enough by this slight disconnect between driver intent and computer delivery to make the conversion. It may be especially critical in racing scenarios.
If I'm going through the effort to complete a swap I'll go with what I like which is the cable.
Question:
If I have a 2004 silverado 5.3 engine and harness that came from the factory with DBW and I want to convert over to DBC using a PCM from a 2004 Express Van
Other than removing the tac wiring and adding the wiring for TPS and IAC and using a cable driven throttle body all of the other wiring is the same correct?
My big reason for swapping over is pedal options....I am limited to the bulky factory 2004 silverado pedal which have have already shortened.....but the switch housing takes up a lot of real estate in a 2nd gen camaro
Using the cable lets me keep the factory pedal so I know everything is in the right place and looks factory
If I have a 2004 silverado 5.3 engine and harness that came from the factory with DBW and I want to convert over to DBC using a PCM from a 2004 Express Van
Other than removing the tac wiring and adding the wiring for TPS and IAC and using a cable driven throttle body all of the other wiring is the same correct?
My big reason for swapping over is pedal options....I am limited to the bulky factory 2004 silverado pedal which have have already shortened.....but the switch housing takes up a lot of real estate in a 2nd gen camaro
Using the cable lets me keep the factory pedal so I know everything is in the right place and looks factory
If you are changing to a car intake you will have to change the injector connectors and move the MAP lead.
Jon
PSI
Jon
PSI
__________________
Your Source for LSX Conversion Parts!
www.psiconversion.com
Ebay Store
Facebook/psiconversion
Instagram/psiconversion
'Dont Let EFI Pass You By!'
Your Source for LSX Conversion Parts!
www.psiconversion.com
Ebay Store
Facebook/psiconversion
Instagram/psiconversion
'Dont Let EFI Pass You By!'
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 4
Question:
If I have a 2004 silverado 5.3 engine and harness that came from the factory with DBW and I want to convert over to DBC using a PCM from a 2004 Express Van
Other than removing the tac wiring and adding the wiring for TPS and IAC and using a cable driven throttle body all of the other wiring is the same correct?
My big reason for swapping over is pedal options....I am limited to the bulky factory 2004 silverado pedal which have have already shortened.....but the switch housing takes up a lot of real estate in a 2nd gen camaro
Using the cable lets me keep the factory pedal so I know everything is in the right place and looks factory
If I have a 2004 silverado 5.3 engine and harness that came from the factory with DBW and I want to convert over to DBC using a PCM from a 2004 Express Van
Other than removing the tac wiring and adding the wiring for TPS and IAC and using a cable driven throttle body all of the other wiring is the same correct?
My big reason for swapping over is pedal options....I am limited to the bulky factory 2004 silverado pedal which have have already shortened.....but the switch housing takes up a lot of real estate in a 2nd gen camaro
Using the cable lets me keep the factory pedal so I know everything is in the right place and looks factory
Or just do what i did and cut the pedal assy to a stump, bolt it to the firewall and cut and weld your factory pedal to the assy so it retains the factory pedal in the factory location. In my nova oddly enough there were two factory holes in my firewall that lined up..
