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L28 + Vortec 4200 frankenstein


zboi

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Thanks - I think I will be using my stock turbo exhaust manifold and rout the output from the turbo under the engine to go forward through the radiator support to a cross flow intercooler and have the cooler air back thru on the intake side to my Protunerz intake.  Looks like I should have no problem...

Edited by Brad-ManQ45
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So. Initially I saw this and I was like... Why?? Seems a standalone like speeduino or Megasquirt would likely be easier/cheaper. Something hit me this morning that this makes this super desirable. AUTO TRANSMISSION CONTROL!!!

I am building a 1984 maxima wagon that Ive turbo'ed with stock 280zxt components and a standalone ecu. I was planning on doing a 5 speed swap. But im contemplating sticking with an auto as the foot box is really small and Maybe im getting old.  Finding info and a transmission that I can build to handle any power is super hard.  With running this ecu. You could run a 4l60e or 4l80e Etc and control it with the stock ecu. I wonder how cruise control would work with the DBW system also.. Now I'm interested. 

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I picked up this ECU with all the sensors, throttle body, injectors, coils, etc. for $250 so HUGELY cheaper. You will need to tune it, which can be done by mail for a bit more or by yourself like me (I've done a few LS swaps so had HPTuners). There are on/off pins for cruise control from the E67 ECM I'm using, haven't ever tried to use it. On an older gen IV LS swap with a 4l60 I did there were a number of cruise control wires. I didn't hook it up, but I did hook up the automatic crank to start feature which was nice. Made the car feel real modern. 4l60/5 will fit in the tunnel fine, and handle the power easy. Especially since they were designed for 4000lb SUVs. The auto is easier on the rest of the drivetrain too. 

Edited by zboi
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I have the ATI trans adapter kit and lockup torque converter (9") along with MS3Pro and MicroSquirt for my '83 ZXT.

 

Currently waiting to paint engine compartment prior to installing engine, transmission and upgrades including ported and ceramic coated exhaust manifold, Protunerz intake and even larger upgraded turbo.

 

Have had health issues.

Edited by Brad-ManQ45
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58x reluctor for a Chevy 2.4 ecotec came in. It is neutral balanced, lighter, and conveniently has 3 holes for bolts that are exactly in the same place as the pulley face. If you wanted you could drill and tap the pulley and this would screw on. I just put some plug welds on instead. Engine now runs normal!

It is leaking some oil from where the timing cover meets the cylinder head. The head gasket overhanging bit was all broken when I pulled the timing chain cover and I didn't want to pull the head to change it. Seems a lot more oil leaks down there than I expected, hopefully some beads of RTV on the exterior fix that.

20231027_172157_HDR.jpg

20231028_141721.jpg

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On 10/27/2023 at 11:21 AM, Brad-ManQ45 said:

I have the ATI trans adapter kit and lockup torque converter (9") along with MS3Oro and MicroSquirt for my '83 ZXT.

 

Currently waiting to paint engine compartment prior to installing engine, transmission and upgrades including ported and ceramic coated exhaust manifold, Protunerz intake and even larger upgraded turbo.

 

Have had health issues.

We are fine with you doing what your doing. Shoot I'm happy for you. Those components sound great. But why be so negative towards those of us who would rather spend money differently. I bought my whole car for 500 bucks. I am financially stable and I still try to build my car as cheap as possible. Its just what I like to do. This is a cool idea to get Auto trans control.

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25 minutes ago, jeffer949 said:

We are fine with you doing what your doing. Shoot I'm happy for you. Those components sound great. But why be so negative towards those of us who would rather spend money differently. I bought my whole car for 500 bucks. I am financially stable and I still try to build my car as cheap as possible. Its just what I like to do. This is a cool idea to get Auto trans control.

I'm not negative in any way - shoot, I'm all for saving a buck - more do than most because I had to retire early for health/disability reasons.  I ask questions and make statements but don't judge - some of us are here to learn and share knowledge.  I honestly didn't know the OP got the PCM very cheaply as it wasn't in his original post.

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Tuning this thing has been difficult. Keeps saying that its running way rich, even when I've adjusted the VE table down like 90%. 
One issue that bit me, I had swapped cylinder 4 and 2 because the internet said the firing order was different between the L28 and atlas. Well the internet as usual is filled with idiots. The firing order is the same between the motors, noticed something off when rough idle wouldn't go away and the 4/2 cylinders felt a lot cooler.

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On 11/3/2023 at 4:23 PM, zboi said:

Tuning this thing has been difficult. Keeps saying that its running way rich, even when I've adjusted the VE table down like 90%. 
One issue that bit me, I had swapped cylinder 4 and 2 because the internet said the firing order was different between the L28 and atlas. Well the internet as usual is filled with idiots. The firing order is the same between the motors, noticed something off when rough idle wouldn't go away and the 4/2 cylinders felt a lot cooler.

have you done any tuning after you fixed your firing order? 2 cylinders not getting spark at the right time will dump alot of fuel into the exhaust and your wideband will read rich. How did you mount the crank angle sensor? That actually looks like an easy way to get a crank signal for any standalone also. 

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Alrighty got it driving now. First issue was my brand new Bosch O2 sensor was bad, it was always reading the same value. Swapped with an AC Delco and it was fine. Second my scan tool was by default adding bank 1 and bank 2 O2 sensor readings together, problem being there is no bank 2 so bank 2 was always pegged rich and throwing off the reading. Using just the bank 1 reading things are looking great. Will dial the tune in all the way and then connect the charge pipe for some boost. 
This poor little L28 has been through so much abuse lol. 

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  • 1 month later...

Finally got this thing tuned right, kept fighting an issue where the car would break up on quick throttle changes and in boost. Engine had NGK b6es-11 plugs, I went to a NGK bpr7es and all my problems disappeared. Engine is leaking oil pretty bad though from what looks like where the timing cover and cylinder head meet, l am genuinely amazed at how much oil can come out of there. The stock head gasket was torn there, and I RTVed it up a lot after the fact. Maybe my PCV valve is faulty and pressurizing that area under boost?
Once I get this oil leak handled Ill take it to the dyno.

Edited by zboi
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  • 3 weeks later...

Well I pulled the head, fixed the gaskets, ported it a little and thought I may as well slap some new valves in because there was a couple suspicious looking ones. 
Got it all back together and fired up drove for a minute and had low power and some clacking. Looks like those new valves either had some inconsistencies in stem length, or the lash pads were wore into the old ones, I found three lashpads popped off when I pulled the valve cover, 1 rocker arm sideways, and one valve lock popped out from that sideways rocker arm. I didn't think that a new set of valves would cause so much problems, but guess my luck sucks.
I noticed quite a bit of play in other lashpads too.
I should pull the head again, but mannnnn I dont want too. That sideways rocker has me scared.

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