I have been researching on reprogramming ecu's and it seems like you can get a significant gain from this though u do need to upgrade to higher octane fuel the gains seem to be worth it on most. Does anyone have thoughts or suggestions on this?
For 3rd Generation J-bodies, the only way to "re-program" your ECU is either getting a reflash from GM or contacting J-body Performance to reflash your computer. GM only offers reflash for the boosted 2.4 motor computers and soon to be for the 2.2 ECOTEC boosted computers.
Now just because you will use a higher octane doesn't mean you will gain power. In order to gain from a higher octane, your motor would NEED to have it. The only way your motor really needs a higher octane fuel is with motor work or boost. If your compression is being raised anyway, you'll need a higher octane fuel.
If you're vehicle is stock or mildly modified with bolt ons, changing anything in your computer isn't necessary. You should always remember that you don't mess with your computer unless you need to. If you are noticing that you're running rich or lean and you need to adjust it, then you can invest in a Fuel Management system to adjust it...that's just an example.
Touching your computer is nothing to really play with especially if you don't have to...if you're going to manipulate it, make sure you know why you need to and what are you need to change.
Hope this has helped you out some. If you have anymore questions, just ask.
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Just wondering:
Could you lean out the air-fuel ratio, and use high octane pump gas to gain power on a stock vehicle?
brandon george (lazy ecotec) wrote:Just wondering:
Could you lean out the air-fuel ratio, and use high octane pump gas to gain power on a stock vehicle?
OK...I'll put it this way, using higher octane is a waste of your money if you have not done any motor work or somehow raised your compression. For example: I have a rebuilt head and a different grind camshafts...I only use 89 Octane, nothing higher because it's not necessary. I use 89 just so it will run a little better with all the work I have put into it but still could run 86 octane no problem if I wanted to. 92 or 93 isn't necessary unless you raised your compression either by changing your pistons to a higher compression or boosting your vehicle (which will raise your compression).
Now about leaning out your a/f ratio...it's common knowledge that on an N/A motor, you gain more power when you're SLIGHTLY lean but of course when you're too lean, that is not good. The only way to get it precisely at the point is dyno tuning but the gains you are looking for from a stock motor will be little to none and isn't worth your time and money to do so (in my opinion).
www.kronosperformance.com / 732-742-8837
NJHK - don't forget that timming has alot to do with detonation too. That 's why most chip for the OBDI ecm recommend premium gas or any reprogramed OBDII ecm.
Just take a look at your eco, 10:1 compression and 86 octane, HO 10:1 compression and 91 octane MINIMUM. (I know engine design has alot to do with it)
Like the 2.4 run with 86-87 octane but bump up the timming alot and you'll need premium gas. That is where they get the small increase of horse power.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
Yes I was referring to increasing the timing, for some cars i have heard of like a 15-20 hp gain I dont know if I have been mislead on my information
Check out the parts list on my ride. I had my ECU reflashed and it helped quite a bit. I run different fuel and timing tables to make the most out of my engine. A stock motor won't really benefit much, but I run 1.6 rockers, bigger injectors, ported head, that type of thing, and the stock ECU won't remap itself enough to deliver the air and fuel I need. The reflash also removed my speed limiter and raised my rev limiter. Not that a stock engine needs that, but I run my revs a little higher because my power band was shifted a little bit. I do have to run a higher octane, but it's a matter of what you really need. Do your homework. If you know what you plan to do to your engine, it will make things easier when it comes time to decide what you need from the ECU. Talk to the guys at JBP. They will do the remap to get the most from the mods you're doing, and they will also do additional programming for future mods.
Mfk-223 wrote:NJHK - don't forget that timming has alot to do with detonation too. That 's why most chip for the OBDI ecm recommend premium gas or any reprogramed OBDII ecm.
Just take a look at your eco, 10:1 compression and 86 octane, HO 10:1 compression and 91 octane MINIMUM. (I know engine design has alot to do with it)
Like the 2.4 run with 86-87 octane but bump up the timming alot and you'll need premium gas. That is where they get the small increase of horse power.
That's true. Also, you have to excuse my slight lack of knowledge when it comes to the OBDI computers and chips.
www.kronosperformance.com / 732-742-8837
no problem. I've spend too much time reading and searching.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
Mfk-223 wrote:no problem. I've spend too much time reading and searching.
I need to do more reading...
www.kronosperformance.com / 732-742-8837
