A few years ago, I swapped a LM7 into my 1989 K1500. I was being cheap back then and in a hurry, so I opted for a FiTech Ultimate LS ECU/wiring. I drove the truck that way for 4 years. Now, I stroked another one of my 5.3's to a 383 and do not like how FiTech is working on it. Don't get me wrong, it is working, just not as well as I want or think it should. It has a pinging issue that I can't get it out of it. I was going to purchase EFI live or HP tuners back when I did this swap, but as stated ran out of cash. I now have a lot of $$$ invested in this engine and am looking to get it tuned. I do have a 0411 PCM and I got a LS Swap harness to put in the truck. I guess what I'm looking for is advice on which system to get to tune it? I also have an 81 Z28 that I am in the process off swapping to an LS and will be needing that tuned also. Any advice on which system to use to tune with will be greatly appreciated.

 

How much knowledge do you have with tuning? I use HP Tuners, have been for 15 years. Works for what I do.

 

Not a whole lot, I have tuned on my Fitech some to tweak it, but that's it except for lots of reading. The thing is, that I just need to switch this thing over to a "real" ECU to get it's full potential and I just need to know some things about it. I have no idea what my 0411 ECU came out of to get a VIN to be able to get credits to tune it, The truck runs now, but when I rewire in the LS Harness and plug in the donor ECU, will it even run with whatever is in the PCM to even start to datalog it to tune from there? I can get it to someone to fine tune it on a dyno, but that requires the truck to run, and they'd rather not use Fitech. He told me, I won't get what I want out of it and it's not as good as a tune. It is limited as far as that goes is what I got out of him. I guess, since I started the way I did and thinking it would be easier that way and cheaper it has caused a bit of a problem. I just need some advice from someone and I'll pull the trigger as far as which way is best to go with, as far as accessibility is concerned for questions and such. I am building a stroked 6.0 for my 81 Z28 and have no plans on using my "old" Fitech for it. I will be using a swap harness for it. Thanks for any input

 

If you have the 0411 PCM you don't need a vin, just need to get 2 GM Credits to unlock it. Last time I did one it was 2 Credits unless they changed it. You'll have to go in and turn off VATS, and setup a base tune for it to run. One of the first things is the PCM needs to know the engine size, that is a factor even with the FI Tech. Have you got that setup with yours currently?

 

Yes, I guess then that's where I'll start. So go with HP tuners then, not EFI Live? I didn't build this for a strip application since it's in a 4wd, but WOW. Big difference! Thanks for the info, as soon as I get it wired in and up and running I'm sure I'll be posting some more questions as far a tuning this thing. The Camaro project is starting next weekend. I'm going to order a MPVI3 tomorrow and will go from there, I had to order some injector adapters for my harness and a ECM mount to put it in the truck. I'll be working on the wiring this week. One other question I just thought of. I do not have a MAF, Fitech is SD, is it difficult to tune SD? I know it uses wideband and the GM ones are narrowband. Do I need get something to read wideband to tune VE?

 

Yea you'll need a wideband to run with the tuning program. I run mine into it as an input and it helps when you can incorporate it. Setup a few tables to do the math for you. You can tune SD just turn the MAF off in the PCM.

 

I don't know anything about the Fitech you have at all. I hear very little about those, and have never been inclined to look, but if it's a full system, and not a little self learning carb conversion, perhaps it can be tuned.

Unless there was a particular reason, I wouldn't go back to a stock ECM and tune with HP Tuners vs buying a Holley Terminator X or X max, ESPECIALLY if you don't have tuning experience.
I absolutely hate the "game boy" handheld they have available, even though it can be useful in some instances, but honestly, price it out. By the time you buy a harness, a ECM, HP Tuners and a wideband, your probably not far off from buying a Holley.
Learning HP Tuners is a semi steep learning curve, and getting help is very hit or miss. I have, and tune HP Tuners, and I'm doing it less and less now, just because Holley simply has a really good product, with lots of extra features, and it's easier to tune or change things for the end user if they feel inclined.
This is just my opinion. Trust me, I also have issues with Holley occasionally, but it's not software related or anything.
I just think you should look at all your options before making a decision.

I understand your looking at 2 different projects, and using a stock ECM could potentially make more economic sense, it really just depends on lots of things only you can answer for yourself. On your Camaro project, if you have any thoughts of NOS, or boost, a Holley has you covered on all of those controllers, and also has built in safeties you can setup, something a stock ECM just can't do. Boost, or N20 controllers get expensive, and it's just one more thing.

I also thought I'd mention a few other things. No, you won't need rear O2's to run SD. On a stock harness, it's going to depend on what the harness is from, as far as MAF delete, because the trucks, use the IAT sensor in the MAF, so you would need to split that out, and run a independent sensor, because IAT is semi important, if your using a truck style harness.

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I helped a buddy with his FiTech. It is a turbo car.
You do need to tune it.
It needs CID, a cam choice, desired AF ratio, and you can adjust the timing.

Its very cryptic, little menus and tables on the hand held unit.

His runs really well actually. Although it was painful getting there.

 

We have removed a ton of FiTech systems. We wont work on or tune a car with FiTech anymore.

 

Well, I bit the bullet and finally got HP Tuners today. Sorry, it's been a while. I'm gonna invest in a wideband for it now. On my truck, I did something that I am kinda regretting now. I purchased a standalone harness and a 0411 PCM. I then called a 'reputable' tuner and ended up buying an AutoCal3 so they could tune it with EFI Live. It runs, but with a 5.3 stroked to a 383 it should annihilate everything in the drivetrain. Sadly, it does not. All I get is excuses and blaming, my 102mm TB, Vinci cam, fuel pressure, etc.... I did get hosed on a set of injectors that were supposed to be 39# and actually are only 30#. I am getting new 39# injectors for it next week tho. They didn't touch my transmission tuning either, it's stock, I have a built 4L60E with all kinds of goodies that my builder guarantees it to 650 HP and it shifts like grandmas car. I have asked them to unlock it so I can get it fixed, but they won't. I've been messing with trying to get it to run right for 4 months now. Is there any help out there to fix it with EFI Live, or start over with HP? That's the question? I also figured out the injector timing is off. Any help with it would be great. I am gonna use my old 5.3 in my camaro to learn how to use HP. I didn't want to try to learn on my truck with the $$$ involved with it if you can imagine.