How should I go about tuning for an LQ4 swap?
01-23-2016, 05:01 PM
#1
How should I go about tuning for an LQ4 swap? Sorry if this is a noob question, I am more used to tuning fords. My 00 Trans am came with a 6.0L LQ4 in it and it's currently untuned. I has a factory LS1 cam in it. It's bogging down between 2-3K RPM and running pretty rich, which I am guessing is tune related.
Now here is my issue, with Ford, you buy an SCT from american muscle, they ask you whats done and they send you a bama canned tune. Not ideal, but it gets you running. I'm not really seeing this option with any of the GM sites.
Seems that everyone uses HP tuners or EFI live and does their own custom tuning. This doesn't work for me, those items are crazy expensive and quite honestly more options than I need.
The other option is sending my PCM out to be tuned, which I REALLY don't want to do because I don't want to be without my car for however long.
That leaves me with handhelds, which have custom tuning options in them, but will it be enough to get a 6.0L running decent? Or is there a place that sells a handheld and will also send a canned tune based on your mods?
Now here is my issue, with Ford, you buy an SCT from american muscle, they ask you whats done and they send you a bama canned tune. Not ideal, but it gets you running. I'm not really seeing this option with any of the GM sites.
Seems that everyone uses HP tuners or EFI live and does their own custom tuning. This doesn't work for me, those items are crazy expensive and quite honestly more options than I need.
The other option is sending my PCM out to be tuned, which I REALLY don't want to do because I don't want to be without my car for however long.
That leaves me with handhelds, which have custom tuning options in them, but will it be enough to get a 6.0L running decent? Or is there a place that sells a handheld and will also send a canned tune based on your mods?
01-23-2016, 08:34 PM
#2
Hey, I'm not sure the change from an lq4 to an ls1 cam should make you blog down in a narrow rpm range. Are there any other changes? Did the previous guy try to tune it himself maybe? (just offering suggestions) does it have the correct ecm for an lq4,cause if it's the original untuned ecm, everything will be wrong.
I know that some tuners with efilive can send you a programmer /data logger with a custom tune. You upload and then grab some data and mail it back to them and they can tweak the tune.
Are you planning on any future mods? I've personally had the most fun tuning my own car with efilive, maybe you'd like to go that route. Any who, Hope some of this helps.
I know that some tuners with efilive can send you a programmer /data logger with a custom tune. You upload and then grab some data and mail it back to them and they can tweak the tune.
Are you planning on any future mods? I've personally had the most fun tuning my own car with efilive, maybe you'd like to go that route. Any who, Hope some of this helps.
01-23-2016, 09:11 PM
#3
Hey, I'm not sure the change from an lq4 to an ls1 cam should make you blog down in a narrow rpm range. Are there any other changes? Did the previous guy try to tune it himself maybe? (just offering suggestions) does it have the correct ecm for an lq4,cause if it's the original untuned ecm, everything will be wrong.
I know that some tuners with efilive can send you a programmer /data logger with a custom tune. You upload and then grab some data and mail it back to them and they can tweak the tune.
Are you planning on any future mods? I've personally had the most fun tuning my own car with efilive, maybe you'd like to go that route. Any who, Hope some of this helps.
I know that some tuners with efilive can send you a programmer /data logger with a custom tune. You upload and then grab some data and mail it back to them and they can tweak the tune.
Are you planning on any future mods? I've personally had the most fun tuning my own car with efilive, maybe you'd like to go that route. Any who, Hope some of this helps.
That's why I am thinking that this is in the tune, changing compression ratios and displacement is probably messing with the system. If I do future mods, they will be of the bolt on variety, no cam swap is likely.
Looking like mail order tuning might be my best option.
01-24-2016, 11:36 AM
#4
Yeah I would watch that "I can watch the fuel trims go from very rich to very lean when it's bogging." or you'll end up with a busted ringland or worse.
From what I have heard, there are some great mail order tune sponsors on here.
Please update what you choose, and how it works out.
From what I have heard, there are some great mail order tune sponsors on here.
Please update what you choose, and how it works out.