Zachs96

So i have come across on a deal with a complete custom turbo for my car its only missing a few feet of lines nothing big.

but now i need to find a good 97 pcm as i have the 96 right now and have it tuned. also looking at HP tuners for that.

do you guys know of the best route to look into these, where did you guys go for one?

code1145

I have not used any of these yet but have read up extensively. I am torn between buying the editor for 500 or 175 for mailing off the PCM.

http://carputing.tripod.com/9697lt1edit.htm

http://www.pcmforless.com/

http://www.madtuner.com/index.php?pa...id=26&vmcchk=1

Phate

Before we go into the PCM, are you sure the kit is made for your car specifically? There are very few turbo systems out there for the 3.8, and the ones that are, are VERY custom. You cant just throw on a T60 and call it a day. I've done more research on turbo'ing a 3.8 than I care to even go into honestly lol, I had a twin t60s system ready to go in my car, but I sold the kit because of finances.

Anyway, if your turbo'ing the car, i'd either get a new PCM and have it dyno-tuned, or buy the computer system to modify it yourself. Turbos need alot of fine tuning when it comes to PSI and powerbands. How many pounds were you looking at running?

archemedes

I agree, even for the grand prix (same pcm as the camaro) the pre tuned ones recommend tuning if you add anything, also if your going to do much and want reliability, do the whole motor for turbo, don't just bolt a turbo on, it may work, but it won't last

Zachs96

wel this is the info on the system.

Kit includes:

-Garrett T3 Turbocharger (rebuilt 5000kms ago) from 85 Buick Regal T-Type
-Custom forward sweeping passthrough header and all exhaust side piping.
-3' x 3" x 8" Intercooler and all IC piping(visible top-half piping polished stainless).
-Blow off valve from Mitsu Eclipse.
-Autometer boost guage, plus all vacuum lines needed.
-Paxton 8:1 fuel management unit.
-Paxton in-line fuel pump with boost actuated switch(only need to install if you plan to run more than 10psi).
-Intake piping and k/n cone filter.
-Adjustable boost controller.

the only thing thats missing is a few feet of line and i need to do some custom work on my valve covers and make breathers to relive pressure from the pvc. he had it on his 96 camaro before.

i only plan on running 6-7 psi until i build up the rest of my car to handle more, that would be fine and not to damaging to my engine right?

does that sound ok to you guys?

Phate

The kit sounds alright, but, even running that small boost, its going to really make that engine suffer. This would be similar to camming a car, and changing nothing but the cam. Sure, it works, but does it work right? Are certain things having to work harder than they should be? More stress on each part?

One of the main reasons I ended up not turboing my camaro was because I didnt want to dump more money into beefing up the rest of my driveline to handle it. When I want to build something, I want it to run well, run right, and last a long time. If your going to do it, do it right. Saves you alot of money and time in the long run.

But either way, I wanna see that kit on the car god I love turbo 3.8's.

Zachs96

ok so maybe not even run that high of boast. i only plan on having my car on the road like 2-3months this year and driveing it 3 days a week. and then i have a long winter again to save up and finsh doing it right.
i still plan on camming the car and doing heads aswell its just i found this and couldnt pass it up.
ill take a risk and run even lower boast to cover my corners so i dont hurt it to bad.( Or even boast the **** out of it and blow it up cause its under warrenty still lol.. no i have more respect for my car than that.)
i will totally post pics of it. also my new rims will be going on soon.

Zachs96

thanks for the links ill check them out. paying for these things are a pain in the *** either way.

Shodown

As long as you get it tuned correctly, you should be fine with 6-7 psi, thats baby stuff.

I consistantly run 12 psi and a 50 shot of nitrous on my car and its a completely stock engine except for the 130# valve springs.

Get a Wideband to monitor your Air:Fuel, thats key to the survival of your motor and tuning it to make sure it doesnt knock.

PCMforless.com stocks 97 PCMs. Get one from them and then have the car tuned via HP Tuners and you'll be fine

BTW, how many miles are on your car?

And as far as kits being "VERY custom" is kind of a stretch. I bought my kit used and it fit like a champ. As long as you have the hot side piping (the only true "custom" part of the kit) then you are okay, cold side piping (i.e. intercooler pipes and intake pipe) is generic and can be purchased off Ebay or even at your local autoparts store then just cut it to the length you need, its just 3" or 2.5" aluminum piping and couplers...nothing special really.

Zachs96

Well i didnt buy the kit at first and then talking to a few local ricers/(tuners) they said that we have a few shops in the area that will dyno tune it for me. Soooo i went ahead and bought it. now with you having a turbo set up i will defently be asking for advice. thanks for everything so far.
i also bought this complete kit used. just like a few feet oil feed lines to the turbo i have top ick up nothing big, and of course a 97 pcm.
i will keep you guys posted. any suggestions always welcome this is very new territory for me.
i have no more than 6 thousand k/m on my engine. not miles. so it a very healthy running car. i plan on doing higher boast like you if not better but not intil i get a new cam and heads.

Zachs96

oh btw how do i have a cool picture thingy at the bottom of my messages like you guys.
i blow with computers. its not really my thing. lol

archemedes

realize the stock 3.8 was not designed for even 1 pound of boost, and adding any can and will lower the reliability, people do it, and then when the engine dies wonder why. I find it funny that old muscle car guys would never add a power adder to a stock engine that was designed stronger (most of the old engines were built for heavy duty use) but the late model guys will throw parts at an engine that was designed to be made economically (aka nothing extra duty at all)

Shodown

As per my post above, I DO NOT recommend any more than 10 psi if your car is your DD. I also wouldnt beat on it too terribly hard even with 10 psi if its your DD.

This is me saying "do as I say and not as I do". I run higher boost and nitrous on my car, but I didnt start that until I bought my truck. If my motor exploded tomorrow I still have the truck to drive and I can afford to rebuild the engine.

Just get it tuned, monitor your AFR and you should be okay. Just remember, turbo cars are not reliable, they can break at any time. Be careful...

Zachs96

Are the wiring harnesses the same for the pcm when i switch it to a 97?? or am i going to need more.
god why is my car a 96 and not a 97 lol.

Shodown

As far as I know the harness is the same.