CAM LOBE SEP & EFI??

[steveo]

most old 160 baud slow ass old tbi ECMs (which are probably older than the original nintendo entertainment system and have about the same processing power) have a newer 8192 baud cousin that is quite easy to re-pin for and better to tune. that'd be much easier than a megasquirt which is a total do-over.

you can really use most any TBI with most any TBI ECM if you are handy enough

edit: but to answer your original question, yeah, megasquirt is just great. really nice product. tuned 2 of them now, difficulty medium but rewards are great

[Sledhead2]

Do some research on the thumper cams, they are noted for being a POS.

Look online and you will find they are known for being all sound and no go, along with no vacuum at idle, thus no power brakes.

If your looking for the classic rumpity rump rump sound, there are way better cams that will give it and go.

https://www.chevelles.com/threads/thumpr-cam.1164438/

[1project2many]

One thing I hate about IAC is how slow it is to return to low idle. (On all cars with EFI.) I know it's to resist stalling, but I like an engine to crisply rev, then instantly return to idle.

So this is a part of tuning. Three factors affect idle speed. Spark advance, fueling, and air intake. For older ECM's the timing affected idle fastest, fuel next, and IAC last. Many of the OE vehicles are programmed to decelerate more slowly. Both emissions and OE needing "vanilla" tuning play a part in that. Newer ecm systems, and systems with electronic throttle control, can drive IAC and idle speed changes very quickly.

with the old slow ECMS i had usually run open loop, disable AE, lock down timing outside of operating range, and just do my best.

When I built the 302 in my '57 in 93, I was told the 350 hp 327 copy cam I was running was too big. I was using an 83 Camaro ECM back then and my only paid for tune from Turbo City ran like poop in OL. But CL wasn't bad, all things considering. Very wide INT and BL limits combined with mild VE changes were all that was done. I was very disappointed with that tune considering I worked for GM dealer and felt the vendor had promised it would run well. After learning to tune I had to give the tuner props as he worked entirely from paper specs and only got one shot to get it right.

[Vettepilot]

I used to be a hell of an engine builder and tuner. I also used to be pretty hot at learning new tech.

But now, at 70, learning all this EFI tuning stuff is sounding more daunting than I want to take on; maybe more than I CAN take on.

Maybe a newer, self learning EFI setup is how I should go... (And whatever dam cam it will support.)

???

Vettepilot

[steveo]

let be frank even though my name is steve

don't be ridiculous.

stop saying "used to be" like someone can just up and lose a learned trade. that's not how it works

i know a bit about the brain and about learning

i realize a 70 year old brain is not adept at learning drastically different things than it has already been primed in. but the work and satisfaction of meeting
challenges like this will probably extend your life

if you weren't curious, you wouldn't be here asking about it man you would just hire someone.

it is a steep learning curve but you learning enough to do this on your own (with our help) could be the highlight of the next few years of your life. self tuning aftermarket systems help but always require tweaking.

if you reach an impass, and you give us logs and your current tune, we will help. that's why mark made this place, to help people out

[MO LS Noobie]

let be frank even though my name is steve

don't be ridiculous.

stop saying "used to be" like someone can just up and lose a learned trade. that's not how it works

i know a bit about the brain and about learning

i realize a 70 year old brain is not adept at learning drastically different things than it has already been primed in. but the work and satisfaction of meeting
challenges like this will probably extend your life

if you weren't curious, you wouldn't be here asking about it man you would just hire someone.

it is a steep learning curve but you learning enough to do this on your own (with our help) could be the highlight of the next few years of your life. self tuning aftermarket systems help but always require tweaking.

if you reach an impass, and you give us logs and your current tune, we will help. that's why mark made this place, to help people out

Well said Steve. Don't give up VettePilot. There are times we all need someone "hands on" with a project. If you put your location in your bio, there maybe someone local, or at least a recommendation for a local mechanic.

Good luck.

Jeff

[Vettepilot]

Ok, thanks guys.

Anyone have anything to say about the FITECH offerings? Budget is a really tough consideration here, and the much vaunted Holley systems are so expensive.

A while back, I actually bought a "Stimulator" kit, which is the first step in getting your feet wet with Megasquirt. Have not built it yet.

Then, I suppose, there's the option of a modified OEM GM system.

I don't need nor want a system that makes me breakfast and tucks me in at night. Just something as simple and inexpensive as possible.

Can GM OBD1 be easily set up for tuneability, or is that stuff not available anymore?

Thanks for the encouragement!

Vettepilot

[Vettepilot]

Separate question.

There's "I need a touch more "accelerator pump" and want to fatten up the midrange a touch."

Then there's "I'll adjust VE and change some Bins and tweak the trims."

I'm WAY in the first camp. Is that gonna fly??

Note: I'm not totally "cave man." I have a wideband AFR setup.

Vettepilot