3400 swap into RWD truck application

[sharkey]

i couldnt tell you much on the 97 venture pcm, i realy have no expririance manipulating an obd computer, for most of what i do, i stear clear of them.

what i can tell you a dealer likley wouldnt be able to do any of that for you, all they do is flash in new code updates. a power tuner would be the best, either hp tuners or dhp (i think thats what it is) if they support that pcm would be able to take care of that. i can tell you that hp tuners is around $600+ iirc.

[keitholivier]

So how is control of the tranny turned off in the PCM ? Is this done using the programing tool mentioned earlier ? Would this be something I could have done at an auto service place or do I have to go to a dealer ? How expensive is it to buy one of the programmers ? Would the 97 Venture PCM be a suitable candidate ?

Sorry, I have a lot of questions on what may be an obvious topic.
Keith

[sharkey]

you would have to have the transmission controll turned off in the pcm. the pcm is always looking for the solonoids and sensors, and if it doesnt have a complete circuit it will set a hard code, putting the vehicle into failsafe (richens the motor, backs the timing off and would default the tranny to 2nd gear).

[keitholivier]

3400 swap into RWD truck application

Just to make sure I'm getting this: Which 1996 to 1999 PCM are you referring to ? I already have a 97 Venture engine controller and the entire loom (in fact the whole vehicle), would this fit the bill ? As far as I am aware, this vehicle has a coded key (built in resistor), which has to be bypassed but which is considerably easier. If using a non electronic tranny, does one have to fool the engine controller into believing that the tranny is in Neutral all the time ?
Keith

Running the engine is simple. Go back in time. Get either a late 90's Cavalier MPFI computer or a 1996 to say 1999 PCM to run the engine. This removes the obstacle of the theft system and they are programmable, the first with a chip and the later with a programming tool. snip .

[sharkey]

a megasquirt is an option, and a good one at that. it would require you to make your own custom wiring harness, however there are only about 20 wires on a megasquirt to connect, so its not realy that bad. you also dont need to tune it on a dyno, you can tune it driving down the road.

another idea would be the early 90s (not late 90s) cavalier/sunbird 3.1l wiring harness and computer. they are easy to manipulate for the application. i wouldnt even attempt a 2000+ wiring harness swap, its just a nightmare as you need every computer (pcm, bcm, abs, air bag, dash, ect) to make everything work properly.

i did an l61 ecotec (turboed) swap in a 90 sunbird convertable. i looked at using a factory wiring harness but it was just way to much work, and once it was done i would have had to spend $700 on hp tuners so we could tune it. ended up doing a megasquirt and it works great.

[geoffinbc]

Running the engine is simple. Go back in time. Get either a late 90's Cavalier MPFI computer or a 1996 to say 1999 PCM to run the engine. This removes the obstacle of the theft system and they are programmable, the first with a chip and the later with a programming tool. You can also look into a mega squirt system which is fairly cheep. There is also the used aftermarket option. The harness that is on the motor will work fine with some splicing. As long as you do a neat job with solder and shrink tubing there is no reason why you cannot do it.

[keitholivier]

Hi

I have been lurking for a while, but now I finally need to ask for some advice. I have an underpowered 85 Toyota Dolphin motorhome (6000lb with the 22REC engine) and sitting below my workbench is a perfectly good 3400 V6 from a 2004 Montana with low miles.

I would like to combine the V6 with a 4L60 transmission (I believe a version of the transmission was made for the S10 pickup with the correct bellhousing for the V6). Assuming that I can locate the right bits, I then need to find a way to get the engine to run. This is where I have the most headaches. What is the best method to get this engine to run in a non target vehicle ? The 2004 ECU / BCU disabled both fuelling and ignition and would be a big deal to install in a foreign vehicle. The controllers themselves are not that expensive, but a custom loom would be required together with an ignition key/switch/lock that matched the codes in the ECU and BCU. I have tried to do this with an ECOTEC engine from a Cavalier, but have not been able to get around the theft protection system.

Considering that my motorhome is only worth $5k at present, theft protection is not at the top of my list of priorities.

Are there any ready made solutions for this situation ? How do hot rodders get modern engines into their machines or is it simply not happening ? I know I could get an aftermarket ECU and tune it on a rolling road dyno, but that is a lot of work.

Thanks
Keith Olivier