Hello,

I have a 2002 TA, A4,2:73's and SLP lid. Just ran a 13.27 at 105 MPH w/ 1.97 60ft @ NE Dragway. Can I add a 3200 to 3600 stall converter w/o changing the stock program? I also plan on JBA shorty headers and Magnaflow catback.

I KNOW all the above aren't optimal, but the goal is to have a fun car that passes the OBDII plug in test here in MA. I'm not sure how far along things are, but the (future) trend, I think, is to reject cars that dont' have stock programs. I don't have any "friends" that work in the inspection department:=)

Thanks,
polo02TA

 

It will work fine with any boltons and also mild cams and heads.

 

I ran a Yank SS3400 on the stock computer for a while. No problems at all.

-Geoff

 

Thanks, Kraest and Whitehawk. That's what I wanted to hear. I didn't realize a mild cam and some headwork could also be "approved" by the stock program.

(I haven't posted in a while. Will have to update my sig.)

Polo02TA

 

You'll get codes with headers (cat efficiency, sensor 2 low voltage, air, etc...), even if you have cats, so that is something to consider. I don't know about heads/cam but I would assume so as well. Last year I was able to reset, drive around a bit, and go pass the test before the codes returned. Don't know the details in your state, but in TX you can have pending codes and 2 "not readys" as long as the MIL is off you pass.

I really have doubts that they'll be checking the onboard tune to see if it is stock - that is way way way over the head of any state government. Are they going to get a checksum for the tables or something? I don't even know how that would be done, when you get a basic tune the actual software is not changed, just the parameters and tables. The number of people who alter their tune has to be like 1 in 1000 or less, that is not enough to mess with - its a lot easier to just let those slide and catch the 1 in 10 that have a car that is just messed up and needs work.

Edit: after re-reading your post I see that you want to go with shorty headers. Those might be better in the OBD2 department, since they won't move the location of the cat (I think the reason you get codes with long tubes is that the oxygen sensors and cats are much farther downstream and don't heat up as quickly which makes them take longer to light off). I don't know that for a fact but I would bet you'd only get occasional codes with shorties.

 

jrm1493,

I had JBA shorties, a Vigilante 3200 converter, cold air and catback on my 97LT1 w/o any issues w/ stock program. This should work with the LS1.

I'm probably being overly paranoid w/ regard to future MA inspections but I really would like to not have to mess w/ the PCM.

I believe GM is voiding warranties on the Corvette guys who have changed their tuning. Granted, this is a dealer/warranty issue, but the technology is already here to detemine that the PCM has been tampered with.

I won't have the fastest car, but that's ok.

Polo02TA

 

Yep.

 

Kraest,

"They" are coming after me:=)

Polo02TA

 

Don't worry, I'm the same way... I know how you feel. It seems like one day they will just outlaw V8's altogether, even though when driven easy our cars get the same or better gas mileage than V6 family sedans, and better than all but tiny SUV's. They just want to neuter the American male and anything that is loud and fast is automatically an evil gas guzzler, while a nice non-threatening car like a Toyota Highlander is "safe", even though it really does get worse mileage than an LS1 F-body.

 

Emissions stations do not and probably never will have the capability to determine a stock PCM calibration. As long as the tuner knows what he is doing and deletes the right codes and sets all the affected monitors to a permanent "ready" status you're good. GM can detect this, but the chances of somebody at the emissions station getting ahold of the required GM equipment AND have the knowledge to use it is very, very slim.

Don't waste any money on the JBA shorties. They provide no power gain over stock manifolds.

Finally, depending upon the condition of your transmission the higher stall torque converter may require the shift points to be changed to avoid hitting the rev limiter. A 3600 stall speed or higher almost always requires it.

 

jrm1493,

Thanks.


Marc85Z28,

I know JBA shorties aren't the best but they did afford me 2.5 to 3.5 MPH along with SLP's 2OTL on my 97LT1.

I hear they aren't the most effective with the LS1. But if shorties and catback could pick me up ~2 MPH than it would be worth it to me.

Naturally, I'd love to put on longtubes. But that would then require me to change the stock location of the cats which I can't do here in MA.

Would a 3200 stall require a change in shiftpoints?

Thanks,
Polo02TA

 

The LS1 manifolds are quite good, certainly MUCH better than the LT1 stuff. The 01-02 manifolds are without question every bit as good as the short primary headers on the market. You simply cannot compare gains from the LT1 to the LS1.

The 3200 stall may or may not require shift point changes. That is about the threshold of the PCMs capability to still operate properly. Some cars work with it, some don't. Put the converter in and see how it reacts. Of course it would benefit from a tune regardless.

For reference, my car with ported stock heads, a mild 221 duration cam, full exhaust with all the little bolt-ons and a 3600 stall torque converter went 11.9 on the stock PCM calibration. It ran good for for a combo that by all accords could be done on the stock tune. Having completed a full tune I gained a ton of drivability, fuel milage, and performance. It went 11.5

And there are ways around the emissions laws. Have you contacted any shops in your area, or tried looking on any local forums?

 

Just a point of info here, the exhaust manifolds were changed from the crappy tubular to cast iron in 2000 not 01.

And I ran a 12.15 @ 110 thru them with a totally stock motor using a good torque converter and sticky tires.