Talk about the 98 PCM being inferior?
02-24-2009, 01:49 PM
#2
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The 98 pcm will tune well. Also, it only works with a 98 wiring harness. However, some handheld tuners never made a product for the 98........something about the Code being harder to crack, etc.
However, the 98 does not need to do a bunch of the "relearning" stuff after you disconnect the battery. I just plug mine back in and the the pcm goes back to normal.
Contact "Doc" at efialchemy.com for more info.
However, the 98 does not need to do a bunch of the "relearning" stuff after you disconnect the battery. I just plug mine back in and the the pcm goes back to normal.
Contact "Doc" at efialchemy.com for more info.
02-24-2009, 02:20 PM
#4
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No, there are a lot of folks running large cam's in their 98s with the stock pcms. I am sure many will probably be all over this thread stating it. There are only a few "real" limitations.
1) No realtime tuning capability with HPT.
2) No opportunity to incorporate EFI Live's Custom Operating System #5 (N20 control).
Many folks will argue the necessity of either of those features. From a tuning stand point, having to deal with the reduced resolution of the backup VE table can be a PITA with a large H/C combo - not impossible but, I am not going to charge the same as a 99-02 512kb setup. It just takes more time.
The main question is what are your ultimate goals for the car? Is it a really nice car that you love for whatever reasons? Do you have forced induction or N20 plans for it?
You can do the FI or N20 with the 98 pcm you just have to take into consideration the extra challenges that will be presented. It may or may not be worth the effort to upgrade the pcm to a 99+up.
There are a bazillion threads about this subject on this board.
1) No realtime tuning capability with HPT.
2) No opportunity to incorporate EFI Live's Custom Operating System #5 (N20 control).
Many folks will argue the necessity of either of those features. From a tuning stand point, having to deal with the reduced resolution of the backup VE table can be a PITA with a large H/C combo - not impossible but, I am not going to charge the same as a 99-02 512kb setup. It just takes more time.
The main question is what are your ultimate goals for the car? Is it a really nice car that you love for whatever reasons? Do you have forced induction or N20 plans for it?
You can do the FI or N20 with the 98 pcm you just have to take into consideration the extra challenges that will be presented. It may or may not be worth the effort to upgrade the pcm to a 99+up.
There are a bazillion threads about this subject on this board.
02-24-2009, 02:20 PM
#5
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The code within, is both inferior in some respects
and multiple configurations that are incompatible;
so tune files from one, may lock up another. The
matching of OS and data is critical to check.
That doesn't mean it can't do the job, just that
you have more work, more attention to detail and
fewer options.
The later OSes are cleaner and have added useful
params / features. I do not think you can just stuff
one down a '98 PCM, though; people repin the harness
connectors and swap PCMs though.
and multiple configurations that are incompatible;
so tune files from one, may lock up another. The
matching of OS and data is critical to check.
That doesn't mean it can't do the job, just that
you have more work, more attention to detail and
fewer options.
The later OSes are cleaner and have added useful
params / features. I do not think you can just stuff
one down a '98 PCM, though; people repin the harness
connectors and swap PCMs though.
02-24-2009, 03:54 PM
#7
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The problem that I had with the 97-98 pcm's and a few other people that I know,It would not shift from 1st to 2nd at WOT for nothing.Bought a 99-02 pcm,Repinned it,Problem solved
................Paul
................Paul Trending Topics
02-25-2009, 02:40 PM
#13
The custom OS from HPTuner's does away with the secondary VE table and gets you back into your high octane table as well. Even if you want plain old 1-bar SD, you can use their OS. The 0-105kPA portion will have full factory primary table resolution.
Last edited by Frost; 02-25-2009 at 03:02 PM.
02-25-2009, 06:31 PM
#14
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[QUOTE=Frost;11128278]This no-shift is an odd tuning issue, and it can absolutely be fixed within the 98 PCM if you know what to do with it. The first time I had a car do this, it took me about 4 months to figure it out!
Now you tell me!!
Now you tell me!!
Fortunately for the owner and myself, those 4 unresolved months were winter time, so it didn't interfere with racing. 
03-03-2009, 04:10 AM
#20
232/234 .595/.598 112 cam in my '98
Idles like a kitten.
'98 PCM too.
Someone said '98 couldn't handle a big cam?
I think those who said that need more practice using a tuner......
Anyway. Yes, the resolution on the secondary ve table is half that of the primary table. With a dead on tune, you will not have any problems.
.......oh, and my shifts are perfect.
Good grief. Why is it that something is "junk" simply because there is something "better" out there. I do not see the need to "upgrade" to a newer pcm simply because it is better. The '98 I have is just fine.
Idles like a kitten.
'98 PCM too.
Someone said '98 couldn't handle a big cam?
I think those who said that need more practice using a tuner......
Anyway. Yes, the resolution on the secondary ve table is half that of the primary table. With a dead on tune, you will not have any problems.
.......oh, and my shifts are perfect.
Good grief. Why is it that something is "junk" simply because there is something "better" out there. I do not see the need to "upgrade" to a newer pcm simply because it is better. The '98 I have is just fine.