Delco probie

[Mamba]

Hi Holden202...just had a look at the new bin and comparism.....like the shift points..looks more drivable and the main spark advance table is a lot smoother than the stock bin in the high range..smoother transition between advances..load of other changes but still going through them all...also had a look at the gemini thread...really good..saw vids which I missed before...I am beyond impressed and now in awe!!...really good ...long way from cobol, fortran or c++ but you certainly have mastered it...you're a perfectionist and it shows....good on you!!!

[Holden202T]

lol, i am far from a perfectionist

but thanks, i do put a fair bit of effort into my hobby! ................................. and coin

[Mamba]

haha.... anything car related costs but you only live once...have to make the most of it! ...while on the car subject..I am at the Delco theory 101 stage comparing the two bins....I know that this is a busy time of year so whenever you have a spare moment (yeah..whats that and where do I get it?) can I please get advice on some areas I am having trouble with...I tried to use the net to answer my own questions but unfortunately there can be differing opinions which makes it confusing when putting all the bolts in one bucket ..

Firstly...what functions does the BCM perform??...my understanding (and appeared confirmed by a Dr Bob post) that it is mainly electrical componentry ..also how do you bypass a BCM without the ECU going into limp mode??

and also...is there a simpler explanation for the various modes for shift thresholds...low, D2, detent and so on...I have a basic idea but its not enough when making comparisms..

Sorry to bother everyone with never ending questions and I am in no rush at all....so whenever you can provide assistance is great for me..thankyou!!

BTW..my wife saw Holden202's ute and was instantly impressed..thinks you have great taste in cars..she had an EJ sedan that she reconditioned, but it was too heavy to race even with a large block chevy and 4 barrel carbie...had to stick with hurtling her ex's highly modded cortina down the strip...somewhere in the 13sec bracket over the 1/4 mile at Townsville dragway...

[VL400]

Firstly...what functions does the BCM perform??...my understanding (and appeared confirmed by a Dr Bob post) that it is mainly electrical componentry ..also how do you bypass a BCM without the ECU going into limp mode??

The BCM (Body Control Module) basically controls all of the vehicles main functions. The early ones didnt do a great deal but they are now a fairly complex module - it controls the security system, electric windows, central locking, intermittent wipers, auto head lights... the list goes one. There are varying levels of BCM depending on which model you have. The executive gets a low spec, berlina i believe gets a mid spec and the calais a high spec. The higher the spec the more functions it can have. In terms of ECU to BCM comms, they started only using the BCM for anti-theft (the ECU asks the BCM what the state of the security is, if the key has passed then the BCM tells the ECU it can enable the injectors. No valid key, then it responds saying keep them disabled). Now there is much more communication going on, the VS ecotec (and later V6) uses the BCM to control the low speed fan, the VX and VY must have the BCM linked to the ECU using a security seed for the security system.

The ECU wont go into limp mode if its not there, it just wont do certain things without it. The VATS will stop the injectors firing, disabling VATS fixes that. If the BCM controls the low speed fan it will fail to get a response, turn on the CEL and turn on the high speed fan - you can disable the low speed fan communications.

and also...is there a simpler explanation for the various modes for shift thresholds...low, D2, detent and so on...I have a basic idea but its not enough when making comparisms..

Low and D2 are the positions on the gear stick (also have D4, D3 forward gears). Detent mode is when your manually shifting, kickdown mode is when you give a sharp throttle movement and it makes the gearbox drop a gear or two, power/econ mode is controlled by the switch on the console, there is also cruise tables for when cruise control is active.

[Holden202T]

BTW..my wife saw Holden202's ute and was instantly impressed..thinks you have great taste in cars..she had an EJ sedan that she reconditioned, but it was too heavy to race even with a large block chevy and 4 barrel carbie...had to stick with hurtling her ex's highly modded cortina down the strip...somewhere in the 13sec bracket over the 1/4 mile at Townsville dragway...

well then your missus will probably like my missus' car, she has an EH in the shed and we have a 304 for it, pretty much just parts sitting there at the moment but the plan is to make the two one and have a nice street EH.

i assume you are talking about your missus liking my FB Ute ?

[Mamba]

Thankyou for the comprehensive answer VL400...answered a few other questions I had too..the BCM complexity changing over time would explain the differing opinions..as for the shift modes, I would prefer not to answer ...Thanks again

Hi Holden202...yep..was referring to the FB ute...has heaps of potential!!.. and you're just the person to explore them ....my wife liked the EH as well...the fact it has a planned 304 for it just made it all the more appealing!!..have pics of the EJ around somewhere..will post some if you like??..
ps.the spark reference angle of almost 70 deg ...what am I missing..that should be enough to remove the pistons from the engine altogether ...

[VL400]

ps.the spark reference angle of almost 70 deg ...what am I missing..that should be enough to remove the pistons from the engine altogether ...

The ECM needs to know when the reference pulse occurs so it can calculate the spark advance - this is the reference angle. Basically the ECM gets a reference pulse, it knows that the engine is now 70 deg BTDC, it knows the RPM (based on the time since the last reference pulse) so it can then work out the required time to wait before starting dwell and then delivering the spark for the commanded spark advance.

[Dec_head]

Has anyone dynoed the difference on the vs i was looking into the vs and powerchip claim.
In standard form, the Commodore VS 3.8 V6 Auto produces 147 kW and 304 Nm.

Powerchip has a range of chips to suit your car, which can increase it's power to between 158 kW and 161 kW, and it's torque to between 325 Nm and 334 Nm.

But it looks like it is with high octane fuels.
Wondering if the 147kw was on regular unleaded and what actual difference the high octane fuel alone would make.

[Mamba]

Hence the word "reference angle"..thanks again VL400.

Hi Dec_head....I'm not aware of dyno results on regular unleaded but what I do know about powerchip I'll gladly pass on. I went into this item in as much detail as I could before deciding to leave it alone....the advice I got was that they always recommend at least 98 octane to be of any effect ie "powerchip gold98", although professing to also provide a range....they soon tell you that the others in the range are "unsuitable". here are a few bits I got and I think they are on the website as well;

"Getting extra performance is accomplished in the same way that ‘Hot Rodder’s” have achieved more power for decades: More ignition advance and more fuel is allowed to enter the engine."

"The performance gain is made possible by, and fully maximises the use of, high octane gasoline. State-of-art equipment is used to read and enhance the software program inside your vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and tune the vehicle to suit the gasoline that you run in your vehicle.
Your Holden Commodore VS 3.8 V6 Auto uses a Plug-in Plug-out Memcal which contains all of the standard engine management codes and maps. The Powerchip is sold on exchange basis, and will install into the same socket on the circuit board as the original Memcal"

"In standard form, the Commodore VS 3.8 V6 Auto produces 147 kW and 304 Nm.
Powerchip has a range of chips to suit your car, which can increase it's power to between 158 kW and 161 kW, and it's torque to between 325 Nm and 334 Nm.
The price of the Powerchip is AUD $490.00."

http://www.powerchipgroup.com/articles/ ... manuf.html ...this link explains more....I hope this helps.....Shayne

[delcowizzid]

i can do better than the powerchip tune and run on 95 gas for $100 LOL they were way more expensive years ago at powerchip