DIY LTCC or similar system for LT1s

**Fast355** · 09-10-2017

I will also not get into the fact this engine also gained 27 hp and 6 ft/lbs from a valve spring and retainer change. Lets just say I had a local machine shop pickup and install 2.02/1.60s in these heads and somehow ended up with 0.100" longer than stock valves and shimmed stock springs that did not even have 70# at the seat. With 1.7:1 rockers my small 395' cam had .489/.511 lift on stock Vortec springs at a 1.8" installed height. Between 5,100 and 5,300 it lost more than 20 rwhp mostly from valve float. I went from 230 rwhp to 257 rwhp changing to LS6 springs and Comp 787 retainers and using hardened .030" and .015" shims stacked to get to a 1.755 installed height.

**vilefly** · 09-10-2017

Well fast355,
You've been having some fun lately. I am jealous.
My rough pricing was for starting out with a '95 LT-1, which requires a later model timing cover, which I do not have. The kit that has it costs $865.00 without the computer. The computer costs $395.00 w/o programming, which they will not do for you. EFI live flashscan and tune costs $899.00. Without the wiring harness, that's about $2159.00. +$675 for the wiring harness. Grand total = $2834.00 without bargain hunting on ebay. So.....I was way off. It would be much cheaper if I started out with a distributor-equipped 5.7L vortec.
Anyways, this journey is mostly about learning and honing my electronics skills, which are dreadfully out of practice. 25yrs in the automotive tech field barely kept my electronics skills alive, and I have forgotten a few basics in the logic circuit area.
The LS motors bug me. I am seeing cam bearings walking out of place, and blocking oil from the lifters, sludge plugging the pickups, oil pump pickup o-rings failing, and Displacement-On-Demand roller lifters fail often. Oh, and I hate having to remove the cylinder heads to gain access to the lifters. They run great, but don't have much staying power without synthetic oil. (350,000 if synthetic is used)
Oh crap. I'm ranting. Somebody stop me.

**steveo** · 09-10-2017

might i suggest not turning a really cool hobby electronics project discussion (which is why this forum is awesome) into some kind of horsepower estimating, shoulda used this ecm instead, lsx-is-better bullshit

**vilefly** · 09-10-2017

Thank you steveo for slapping me. And now, back to the project.
I think I will use the CD74HC4024E 7-stage ripple counter to count the pulses. It counts on the negative edge, though. (all ripple counters seem to, for some reason) I should mind my counts just in case.

The single chip engine controller has a Variable Reluctor decode output that you might like. The arduino should like it nicely. I will have to get with the program, and learn more about this handy little device.

**Aroberson77** · 09-11-2017

I need to look at this stuff more in depth. the nano EFI looks cool and I like Steveos idea of making it an all in one type of controller. I also like how precise the opti could be if working correctly and I think it really opens up what you can measure with calculations

**vilefly** · 09-11-2017

Combine this chip with an arduino, and you have an obdII ready .....lawnmower. Complete with check engine light (CEL) heh. You don't have to use all of the chip, but it should get you on your way.
single chip ic wiring diagram.png
They should get restocked soon.

**Tom B.** · 09-12-2017

Is there any chance you guys would consider doing a waste spark system ala delteq? They have been out of business for quite a long time. I had good success with their system when it worked. I can send the proprietary parts from them if you have any interest. I converted my Impala to the EFI connection COP set up solely because the delteq didn't hold up.