LS1 PCM Controlled Gen 1 SBC, Coil per Cylinder, and Electronic Throttle Control

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May 24th, 2008
S10Wildside

LS1 PCM Controlled Gen 1 SBC, Coil per Cylinder, and Electronic Throttle Control
Yesterday we got our prototype engine running with the following (see video):
- 12200411 LS1 PCM with a true, coil per cylinder, LS1 calibration
- LS1 Corvette Electronic Throttle Body "Drive by Wire"
- 8 LS1 Coils
- 1989 5.7L TPI long block
- Ram Jet 350 Intake Manifold Kit
- Ram Jet 350 Camshaft
- GM 1.6 Rocker Arms
http://www.eficonnection.com/coilper...mjet350_03.jpg

About the Vortec (Distributor) System
The 96-99 Vortec Truck engines and 01-02 Vortec Express Van engines use a 4x crank signal from within the timing cover and a 1x cam signal from within the distributor. All of these engines are equipped with the necessary sensors and hardware to use the 12200411 PCM with the 01-02 Express Van calibration. This offers the use of cable throttle only. The PCM can be loaded with either a 4L60E or 4L80E calibration.

About the LS1 (Distributor-less) System
The LS style engines use a 24x crank signal from within the block. The crank reluctor is pressed on the crankshaft and a sensor is mounted in the side of the block to pick up the signal. The 1x cam signal is generated from a sensor dropped in the top/rear of the engine. This system offers use the use of a 4L60E, 4L80E, and Skip Shift and Reverse Lockout for the T56. Neither the crank or cam components are swappable on the early small block engines as they're LS style specific. The engine pictured is receiving a 24x crank signal from within the timing cover and a 1x cam signal from a Vortec distributor. A custom harness was built to work with the system. A 2002 Corvette LS1/T56 calibration was loaded into the PCM. Basically, the PCM thinks this engine is an LS1 with electronic throttle.

Availability of Components
This engine is the result of a lot of research and development. Some of the pieces that went into making this possible are prototype, "one-off", pieces. This engine is planned for a 1991 Trans Am Convertible project. Any bugs will be identified and get worked out. As the engine sits it is equipped with the first prototype pieces. Knock sensors will move to the sides of the block, coil brackets will be revised, air filter will change, etc.
May 24th, 2008
ChipsByAl

Very Cool!
I would think your custom 24x wheel could work on an LT1 as well. If so, perhaps the opti-crap could be adapted similar to your vortec distributor to produce the 1x signal.
Al
May 24th, 2008
S10Wildside

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipsByAl

Very Cool!
I would think your custom 24x wheel could work on an LT1 as well. If so, perhaps the opti-crap could be adapted similar to your vortec distributor to produce the 1x signal.
Al

My thoughts exactly. One step at a time.
May 24th, 2008
joecar

S10W,
Very nice work... cool... :cheers:

Did you fab your own external crank reluctor wheel (do you have pics of it) or did you get it from where...?

Cheers
Joe
:cheers:
May 24th, 2008
S10Wildside

The ring is inside the timing cover. It's a modified big block ring to fit the small block crank. No pics yet.
May 24th, 2008
scuzz

Great work S10!
Ron
May 28th, 2008
azzhauler

That is pretty damn cool. Nice work.
May 28th, 2008
1998ws6

now that is cool :)

Ryan
May 29th, 2008
scuzz

Here's where all this started if you guys are really interested.
Some really good info in all those pages.
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/tp...-opinions.html
May 29th, 2008
Aloicious

NICE! I'd love to get my L31 modified for a distributorless system. keep us updated on how it works and everything.
May 29th, 2008
GMjohn

1 Attachment(s)

:)

My first prototype-

Note: the center is L31-
Running with an L31 timing cover.

John
May 29th, 2008
Aloicious

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMjohn

:)

My first prototype-

Note: the center is L31-
Running with an L31 timing cover.

John

how did it work? did you just use the L31 crank sensor?
May 30th, 2008
S10Wildside

John - How soon will you have this up and running?

Might be a few months before our engine is tuned on a dyno. The 91 Trans Am is getting prepped for the new engine. Hopefully it will be installed in July.
May 30th, 2008
joecar

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMjohn

:)

My first prototype-

Note: the center is L31-
Running with an L31 timing cover.

John

John,

Good work...:cheers:

What docs did you use to know where to cut notches...?

Cheers
Joe
:cheers:
May 30th, 2008
S10Wildside

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecar

John,
What docs did you use to know where to cut notches...?

He used the 24x 7.4L big block ring and the center from a 4x small block ring. We're also using a modified big block ring.
May 30th, 2008
joecar

Quote:

Originally Posted by S10Wildside

He used the 24x 7.4L big block ring and the center from a 4x small block ring. We're also using a modified big block ring.

Oh, I see, fabbed up from two parts... nice work. :)
July 14th, 2008
scuzz

I saw your update post on TGO.
Great work.
Ron
July 14th, 2008
Aloicious

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuzz

I saw your update post on TGO.
Great work.
Ron

TGO? have a link? I'd like to read about any updates.

I'm SO wanting one of these 24x rings, any word yet on making some for purchase s-10wildside? count me in if you do.
July 15th, 2008
scuzz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aloicious

TGO? have a link? I'd like to read about any updates.

I'm SO wanting one of these 24x rings, any word yet on making some for purchase s-10wildside? count me in if you do.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/df...olled-gen.html
July 22nd, 2008
Custom muffler

Anyone know what settings should be used for torque management???
July 22nd, 2008
scuzz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Custom muffler

Anyone know what settings should be used for torque management???

I think someone told me that they turned off torque mgmt.
July 23rd, 2008
Custom muffler

Ok thanks
July 23rd, 2008
S10Wildside

We did get the LT1 running today. Here is the video, all 16mb of it. Click for video.

http://www.eficonnection.com/coilper...1_top_view.jpg

Worth mentioning:
- still in development
- 2002 f-body calibration in 12200411 LS1 PCM (modified with LT1 fuel table)
- no optispark, it is 100% gone!
- crank signal from within 96-97 LT1 timing cover
- cam signal from within 96-97 LT1 timing cover
- stay tuned

Unknown:
- availability
July 31st, 2008
scuzz

Mike, is the LT1 and SBC same timing cover pattern?
I've never been into LT1 engines, even though I run LT1/LT4 cams in SBC Gen1 engines.
Ron
August 1st, 2008
S10Wildside

Completely different.
August 1st, 2008
scuzz

I guess the pickup is in same location or do you have to rotate reluctor ring to correct angle.
August 1st, 2008
S10Wildside

the reluctor can not be rotated due to the keyway in the crank. Actually the Vortec 4x ring and LT1 4x ring are the same GM part number. .
August 2nd, 2008
scuzz

That's really good info to know.
A lot of the LT1 stuff was re-used in the Vortec and Ramjet tech.
The cast iron head and big car cams are also basically same.
December 23rd, 2008
S10Wildside

The 24x crankshaft reluctors for the small-block Chevy and LT1 are now available. The cam sensor housing and target for the LT1 should be ready very early 2009.