What is the limit of the stock pcm?
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TECH Junkie
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From: East Brady, Pa
What is the limit of the stock pcm? I know alot of the heavy hitters are running BS3 but I was curious what the limits to the stock computer are. I'm planning out a turbo setup and want to make sure everything is going to work together.
Originally Posted by Brains
98 is the "bastard child" PCM. Currently only HPTuners offers a 2bar OS for them, which is definitely a great start. 98's don't get 3 bar like the 99+ though 
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Stock PCM works fine, even with a hacked up tune it worked great for me. Main reason I switched was I wanted low impedence injector drivers, 2 step, real time closed loop wideband correction and real time tuning all in one box.
Sure you can add all that stuff to the stock PCM but once you add everyting up, tuning software, 2 step and injector driver you arent that far away from a used BS3. Downside is its a fair amount of work to install any standalone, took me a week to do it nice and rewire the stock PCM so it still works the gauges/speedo and I have been doing this stuff for a lot of years. Nothing really hard, just a little tedious.
But on the plus side I was up and running in a couple hours and the car ran great, not to mention some excellent support from them considering I wasnt the original purchaser of the setup.
I can understand why one would want to keep the stock PCM though, I used the HPT 2 BAR 98 and it worked well also but I had a couple minor issues and the good weather was coming so I wanted to get the whole ECU situation done asap. I was between converting mine over to a 99+ PCM or the BS3, luckily I ran across a nice deal on a used BS3 and after getting the box updated I am very pleased with how its working out so far but its not for everyone.
Sure you can add all that stuff to the stock PCM but once you add everyting up, tuning software, 2 step and injector driver you arent that far away from a used BS3. Downside is its a fair amount of work to install any standalone, took me a week to do it nice and rewire the stock PCM so it still works the gauges/speedo and I have been doing this stuff for a lot of years. Nothing really hard, just a little tedious.
But on the plus side I was up and running in a couple hours and the car ran great, not to mention some excellent support from them considering I wasnt the original purchaser of the setup.
I can understand why one would want to keep the stock PCM though, I used the HPT 2 BAR 98 and it worked well also but I had a couple minor issues and the good weather was coming so I wanted to get the whole ECU situation done asap. I was between converting mine over to a 99+ PCM or the BS3, luckily I ran across a nice deal on a used BS3 and after getting the box updated I am very pleased with how its working out so far but its not for everyone.
There are many shops that use our 2 and 3 bar solutions that make over 1000rwhp often but don't post as they like to keep their customer information private..
Our product can take the gen3 controllers very far into high HP numbers.
We've added a featured vehicle to our front page, www.hptuners.com and will add more high horsepower vehicles to the list.
As far as 98's being the bastard child, yes, they use different hardware, but with our 2bar solution you can make a lot of HP. CamaroZach is proof of that. He was the first 98 2 bar solution and built a car that was simply insane.
Our product can take the gen3 controllers very far into high HP numbers.
We've added a featured vehicle to our front page, www.hptuners.com and will add more high horsepower vehicles to the list.
As far as 98's being the bastard child, yes, they use different hardware, but with our 2bar solution you can make a lot of HP. CamaroZach is proof of that.
He was the first 98 2 bar solution and built a car that was simply insane. 
http://www.fquick.com/CamaroZach
check out the vette, i have the dyno sheet in my gallery too.
http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewga...iewimg&id=3970
check out the vette, i have the dyno sheet in my gallery too.
http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewga...iewimg&id=3970
You can still use a boost controller with a factory PCM. Speed INC does many setups like that with the HP Tuners 2 and 3 bar solutions.
The great thing about the using the factory pcm and HP Tuners is its MUCH cheaper, gives you more control over your tune, and requires no rewiring of the car.
Oh yea, and you get to keep all of your gauges functional without any additional work.
The great thing about the using the factory pcm and HP Tuners is its MUCH cheaper, gives you more control over your tune, and requires no rewiring of the car.
Oh yea, and you get to keep all of your gauges functional without any additional work.
I am gonna rewire my factory 98 wiring harness if my Speartech modded harness doesn't work out. I will save the BS3 for my planned twin turbo race car build later on down the road. Hell I may even pick up a 99+ roller and just use the HPTuners 3 bar on that one too...
