Question about Malibu (actually the 3.6L DOHC V6)

I just got the chance to drive the new Malibu. I must say I had high hopes and it delivered! The car is actually much more attractive in person.

After a quick drive, I started wondering (as a car freak) what is the performance and tuning potential of the 3.6L?

I have never looked at the V6 offerings from a performance stand-point except for the previous gen super-charged V6 offerings and the venerable turbo 6 from Buick.

Related question, is GM planning a line of performance offerings in support of these powerplants?

So far nothing you'd want to get, other than cold air intakes and maybe exhaust.

The problem? Cracking the computer.

The HFV6's Bosch computer is locked down pretty tightly. AFAIK it's resisted all attempts at any significant modding (e.g. changing its tuning parameters or adding FI). Some folks have had limited success faking out the sensors, but no one's been able to reprogram it like, say, an LSx.

The HFV6's Bosch computer is locked down pretty tightly....

Sounds like the frustration we have with Mopar. Even the SRT8 is locke down. Some of the new tuners have promise (Predator comes to mind) but it has been a very long time coming.

I'd be interested to see what folks could do with this; hell the Malibu I drove was pretty quick for a family sedan to start with!

will this computer be used on future GM v8's? Wouldn't that suck to have an uncrackable computer in a corvette or camaro.

The only serious attempts at hotrodding the 3.6 which I know of, are from the CTS community.

A couple of tuners have reportedly been successful at retuning this computer. One person on Cadillac forums has seen an 18 hp and 19 lbs/ft gain at the wheels from this.

The only serious attempts at hotrodding the 3.6 which I know of, are from the CTS community.

A couple of tuners have reportedly been successful at retuning this computer. One person on Cadillac forums has seen an 18 hp and 19 lbs/ft gain at the wheels from this.

http://www.castlehillexhaust.com.au/alloytec-tuning.php

It will happen there is just no market for it.

v6 f-body guys didn't get anything till like 2003-4.

They were out since 96. I felt bad there was a guy at the local track with a boosted, and modded to hell 01 v6. he ran 14.0s and 13.99s. But hit the speed limiter like 2-300 feet before the finish line(he had 3.73s, and coudl not reprogram)

Was a nice car.

lack of aftermarket but it picked up over time.


offhand hptuners can mod it.
http://www.hptuners.com/products/vcmsuite_vehicles.php

scroll down. I thought they did the 3.6L as well, I they do my 3.5L VVT in the G6 as well.


On the G6 boards there are some tuning companies out there that do mail order tunes for g6s, I didn't look at them too much because they were like $300 mail order tunes. I alreay have HPT, just need a new cable/license and I can tune.

PS G6 aftermarket group is growing a bit... They have absolute dick for mods, but alot of interest in it. I was surprised. But I guess a new G6 GTP coupe with 6-speed is very similar to a New eclipse.

I thought only the direct injected 3.6 used the Bosch pcm , and the non DI 3.6 used the E67 controller . If it uses the E67 , HP tuners has big time support already for that pcm and HP recently released a ton of nice updates for it .

***edit*** all 3.6 elipson cars use the E67 .