Go Back   FSC Forum > General Discussion > Technical / Maintenance
Register FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read


Supporting Members don't see these! Click here.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-01-2008, 10:29 PM   #41
Registered User
 
bankspowered98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Independence MO
Posts: 397
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Banks Powerpack System
http://bankspower.com/System.cfm?appid=AC05&sysid=SC08
bankspowered98 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2008, 10:32 PM   #42
Registered User
 
bankspowered98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Independence MO
Posts: 397
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

NODIH, could you tell a bunch when you slapped your Wait4me computer in? I am debating on if it should be the next purchase or not
bankspowered98 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2008, 11:41 PM   #43
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockford, IL, just below the cheddar curtain
Age: 42
Posts: 1,685
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Oh yeah, you'll notice it. Jesse fixes a lot of things that are just plain stupid by GM. Like PE mode stuck on a 1 minute timer. You'll feel that one big time. That and if you run 87 octane, drive it for a while and then go 93 octane, you'll think it just got retuned again. Mine REALLY wakes up with 93 octane....

Only issue I don't like is he updates with GM and the latest tune. The "Towing Improvement Program" comes in and you lose lockup until 68-69 mph. That hurts mpg, but saves the converter during towing. Locking and unlocking in towing is bad on the converter...

So if you don't want that, make sure Jesse knows NOT to update the trans tuning from GM and keep yours.

SOTP dyno says 40-50 lb/ft torque boost with Jesse's tune. It really wakes up.
__________________
94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham w/RPO V4P
00 Buick Park Avenue Ultra SC 3800
99 K2500 Suburban 454, Tuned by Me!

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan

Last edited by N0DIH; 01-01-2008 at 11:46 PM.
N0DIH is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 07:49 AM   #44
Registered User
 
bankspowered98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Independence MO
Posts: 397
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Excellent, thats what I needed to know. I think I will contact him this week and go ahead and order one. When he updates the trans, does it seem to shift any better?
bankspowered98 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2008, 12:07 AM   #45
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockford, IL, just below the cheddar curtain
Age: 42
Posts: 1,685
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

A little, not harsh, 1-2 probably hardest shift. I would like a tad faster. But I also tune LT1's and 4L60E's, so I have a better idea what those will do.

Again, if you don't want to lose lockup until 68 mph, make sure he DOESN'T use the Towing Improvement Program. If you tow a lot, you might wanna keep it, but if not, you may not. Basically you can't cruise at low locked up rpms. It isn't bad, but messes with you if you aren't ready for it. I am still mixed on it....
__________________
94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham w/RPO V4P
00 Buick Park Avenue Ultra SC 3800
99 K2500 Suburban 454, Tuned by Me!

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan
N0DIH is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2008, 02:37 AM   #46
Registered User
 
Red376's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Columbus
Age: 33
Posts: 163
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bankspowered98
What tune would you gentlemen suggest to get just a shade bit more power out of the BB?
You're the one getting 14mpg while pulling a car trailer, is there any advice out there that you could actually gain from? You ought to be teaching a clinic providing your numbers are accurate.
__________________


1999 OBS K2500 350 NV4500 14 Bolt FF Gov bomb
Dual in/single out Cherry Bomb Vortex
Thorley Tri Y's
70K miles
Red376 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2008, 07:04 AM   #47
Registered User
 
bankspowered98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Independence MO
Posts: 397
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Alright, thank you for the heads up. I emailed him yesterday and told him what I wanted. Hopefully I can have it in about a week and keep everyone updated on the tune and how this engine with the mods reacts. I will more than likely tell him to NOT update the towing program. The truck does very well once you hit 65-70 and the converter locks up. Trans temp stays right around 210 so I am not to worried about.
bankspowered98 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2008, 04:48 PM   #48
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: ottumwa
Age: 22
Posts: 15
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

where did you get the tb spacer from?
imprezkid is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2008, 10:28 AM   #49
Registered User
 
bankspowered98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Independence MO
Posts: 397
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

The tower is a HELIX power tower.
bankspowered98 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2008, 10:07 PM   #50
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Grande Prairie
Age: 30
Posts: 222
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

I just installed a new pcm with wait4me tune and holy sh*t that thing is f'n awesome! It has way more power, shifts better, I'm impressed. There's a big hill near my house that my truck would normally drop about 15 kph and most of the time downshift to 3rd. Tonight I hit it at 110 kph and it didn't lose ANY speed at 1/2 throttle and the tcc clutch didn't even come off. And in my big dually I can literally hack donuts on pavement with no effort. I'll have to make a roadtrip soon and see how the milage is doing.

It still isn't close to a race car but big improvement. The next step is a transgo shift kit before I hook onto the 5th wheel in the spring! The last time I pulled it the truck was bone stock, I'm pumped too see how it will make out, fricking trailer is 13,000 lbs empty!
__________________
GM Certified Grand Master Tech

98 Crew Cab Dually 7.4l
Custom Tuned PCM
28.8 lb Fuel Injector Swap
Bored 78mm Xtreme-FI Throttle Body
4L80-E Trans-go HD-2 Reprogram Kit
NBS Power Extending Trailer Mirror Swap

04 Tahoe
Project Vehicle

04 Impala SS
Supercharged 3.8L

Last edited by dietzster; 01-10-2008 at 10:10 PM.
dietzster is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2008, 12:06 AM   #51
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockford, IL, just below the cheddar curtain
Age: 42
Posts: 1,685
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

You might need to retune the trans with Jesse after the shift kit. Make sure you use the HD2, not the SK kit.

With my 99 K2500 Burb 454, I was pulling a 6000+ lbs trailer, up a fairly large hill, and I never even downshifted. Stayed at 65 mph in OD with no issues whatsoever....

Towed a 28 footer with my household stuff in it loaded very heavy, 10K# and same deal, no drop out of OD on even steep hills. It pulls great!

Oh, wanna have fun? Run some 93 octane through it, you'll find MORE power yet!
__________________
94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham w/RPO V4P
00 Buick Park Avenue Ultra SC 3800
99 K2500 Suburban 454, Tuned by Me!

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan
N0DIH is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2008, 08:55 PM   #52
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Grande Prairie
Age: 30
Posts: 222
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Yeah, the next trip home will be 93 octane and see what happens. I was planning on using the sk 4l80-e for now until my trans burns up, only because I read that the trans has to be out to put in the hd2, is that right? Also the trans has 200,000 kms on it and I didn't want to do the reprogram kit at such high milage. I'll be keeping this truck for a long time so I'll do the next trans with the hd2.
__________________
GM Certified Grand Master Tech

98 Crew Cab Dually 7.4l
Custom Tuned PCM
28.8 lb Fuel Injector Swap
Bored 78mm Xtreme-FI Throttle Body
4L80-E Trans-go HD-2 Reprogram Kit
NBS Power Extending Trailer Mirror Swap

04 Tahoe
Project Vehicle

04 Impala SS
Supercharged 3.8L
dietzster is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2008, 09:00 PM   #53
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockford, IL, just below the cheddar curtain
Age: 42
Posts: 1,685
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Talking to another trans guru (he does specialize in 4L60E's, not L80's) said the SK is a waste of $ compared to what you get with the HD2.

Compare the kits, for the money, the HD2 is better off. It fixes a lot more than the SK and from what I have heard on the L60, is not so harsh and it does much better improvements. I have installed 2 HD2's in a L60 and if you are going in that far, do it right the first time...
__________________
94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham w/RPO V4P
00 Buick Park Avenue Ultra SC 3800
99 K2500 Suburban 454, Tuned by Me!

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan

Last edited by N0DIH; 01-11-2008 at 09:01 PM.
N0DIH is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2008, 08:07 AM   #54
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dover, DE
Age: 35
Posts: 676
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Hey guys, do you have a link for the HD2?

Also, I yanked the cap and rotor a few days ago. Holy $#!t the front screw on the cap was a tight fit for some reason. I'm gonna have to get a set of torx screwdrivers and grind down the shaft to make it a little easier to fit behind the upper intake. Anyways, the cap/rotor was in good shape, and my AC' 91-433's where pretty good, but somehow the gap was only .053. I cleaned 'em up and re-gapped at .060. I also found that the breather hose on the right valve cover had come off somehow!? Not sure how long that's been like that, but it damn sure explains the occasional stumble at a stop light: can you say vacuum leak! I got everything put back together and took it out for a little drive. Wow, the SOP dyno showed at least another 20hp. The G80 got a little workout (and yes it still works at ~118k miles)
It's amazing what a decent tune-up does, huh? I was thinking about doing a full MSD ignition, but now I'm thinking an e-tune may get me more bang for the buck. I'd like a little more power, but do you guys know how Jesse does with more of a MPG tune?
Thanks
__________________
'98 K3500 7.4Vortec/4L80E, airbags, gooseneck hitch, Bosch injector upgrade, Magnaflow exhaust, 130K and going strong!
Proud Member: OBS Preservation Society and Hood-whacker Club!

Image resized by Skills:
skills4lou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2008, 11:22 AM   #55
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Grande Prairie
Age: 30
Posts: 222
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

www.transgo.com is the link.
__________________
GM Certified Grand Master Tech

98 Crew Cab Dually 7.4l
Custom Tuned PCM
28.8 lb Fuel Injector Swap
Bored 78mm Xtreme-FI Throttle Body
4L80-E Trans-go HD-2 Reprogram Kit
NBS Power Extending Trailer Mirror Swap

04 Tahoe
Project Vehicle

04 Impala SS
Supercharged 3.8L
dietzster is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2008, 11:32 AM   #56
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockford, IL, just below the cheddar curtain
Age: 42
Posts: 1,685
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Actually, narrowing the gap to 0.045" on the L21 454 (the RV/Medium Truck version) is worth 20hp on the dyno (yes, a RV shop dyno's them and proved it out). So I have found my 454 runs much nicer, idles better, and generally overall better with the narrower gap.

Reasons from a few racers I have talked to fully support it, as the narrower gap eliminates misfires, and creates an easier gap to arc under harsh conditions, something a 454 will likely see in a lot of driving.

If you look at most of the higher performance engines, they stick to a narrower gap.

I initially gapped to 0.060 and I had some idle miss, and narrowed the gap to 0.053 and it got better, and then narrowed further to around 0.045 and it was nearly completely gone. Started easier too.


Quote:
Originally Posted by skills4lou
Hey guys, do you have a link for the HD2?

Also, I yanked the cap and rotor a few days ago. Holy $#!t the front screw on the cap was a tight fit for some reason. I'm gonna have to get a set of torx screwdrivers and grind down the shaft to make it a little easier to fit behind the upper intake. Anyways, the cap/rotor was in good shape, and my AC' 91-433's where pretty good, but somehow the gap was only .053. I cleaned 'em up and re-gapped at .060. I also found that the breather hose on the right valve cover had come off somehow!? Not sure how long that's been like that, but it damn sure explains the occasional stumble at a stop light: can you say vacuum leak! I got everything put back together and took it out for a little drive. Wow, the SOP dyno showed at least another 20hp. The G80 got a little workout (and yes it still works at ~118k miles)
It's amazing what a decent tune-up does, huh? I was thinking about doing a full MSD ignition, but now I'm thinking an e-tune may get me more bang for the buck. I'd like a little more power, but do you guys know how Jesse does with more of a MPG tune?
Thanks
Jesse can make a lot more power than stock. As for mpg, well, depends on the trans tune you get, your original tune's trans program stay with if you don't want full time tow/haul mode, as GM did a "Towing Improvement Program" in the early 2000's as a fix on the 454 trucks. You lose lockup until 68-69 mph. Good for towing, bad for mpg not towing. I am often in places I can't get over 69 mph due to traffic and just plain people who can't read the speed limit signs.... Let him know what you want. But overall it never hurt mpg, and it helped power a lot, and with 93 octane it really helped power even more than with 87 octane.

I have a fueling issue that is preventing me from decent mpg anyway, and I hope to get that fixed soon as I can get the intake off and look into it. Or get in and tune my own PCM, but that is another issue..
__________________
94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham w/RPO V4P
00 Buick Park Avenue Ultra SC 3800
99 K2500 Suburban 454, Tuned by Me!

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan

Last edited by N0DIH; 01-12-2008 at 11:40 AM.
N0DIH is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2008, 12:53 PM   #57
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dover, DE
Age: 35
Posts: 676
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

That's new to me on the .045 gaps. I can see it improving the spark if your ignition is weak, but it seems counter-intuitive if the rest of the ignition is up to the task of jumping the .060 gap. Anyway, my L29 felt better with a bigger gap. It'd be nice to find a dyno near me to see what MY truck likes. The SOP dyno can easily be mislead
__________________
'98 K3500 7.4Vortec/4L80E, airbags, gooseneck hitch, Bosch injector upgrade, Magnaflow exhaust, 130K and going strong!
Proud Member: OBS Preservation Society and Hood-whacker Club!

Image resized by Skills:
skills4lou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2008, 01:11 PM   #58
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockford, IL, just below the cheddar curtain
Age: 42
Posts: 1,685
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

That was always my thoughts too. Heck, Olds ran a 0.080 gap on the 350's in the late 70's....

BUT, the tip temps climb a lot when the gap is wide, I guess good for emissions to ensure a clean tip, but makes a heck of a hot spot and makes it prone to preignition too. They also like to run the L29 plugs in the 8100's too. Or course, I am doing the opposite, I am running the 8100 plugs in my 7400/L29.... For the reason of getting the spark off the chamber wall more out in the open. They think that is bad, but I'll mess with it another day if I feel it hurts power. I don't....

Dyno didn't lie, changing back and forth between the plug gaps made more power. And the L21's have a lot better ignition system than us L29 454 boys and girls. They have the CNP (Coil Near Plug) like the LS1's. The 496 borrowed it from the L21 454. They don't NEED more ignition power, they already have it. They have forged cranks, rods, pistons stock too, sounds like same cam, same intake, no distributor, special front cover for crank sensor for CNP.

Go try this, you have it set now for 0.060. Go run 3 back to back 0-60 mph times. And then run 3 40-70 mph times (running start, say start off at 25 and start the stop watch @ 40 and stop it at 70) and record all your times.

Then regap to 0.045" and then repeat. Be as consistent as possible. If you are faster, you got it, if not, change back....

I feel mine is better with 0.045 than 0.060.

At WOT you won't feel a couple misfires. But you won't have power on that piston on that revolution. Key is to make 100% power on each stroke.

Quote:
Originally Posted by skills4lou
That's new to me on the .045 gaps. I can see it improving the spark if your ignition is weak, but it seems counter-intuitive if the rest of the ignition is up to the task of jumping the .060 gap. Anyway, my L29 felt better with a bigger gap. It'd be nice to find a dyno near me to see what MY truck likes. The SOP dyno can easily be mislead
__________________
94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham w/RPO V4P
00 Buick Park Avenue Ultra SC 3800
99 K2500 Suburban 454, Tuned by Me!

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan

Last edited by N0DIH; 01-12-2008 at 01:13 PM.
N0DIH is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2008, 01:16 PM   #59
KL7
Registered User
 
KL7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 95
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

So glad I found this thread....tons of good information here! Add me to the list of 454 owners.
__________________

2002 Sierra 2500HD SLT CCSB 4x4, 6.6L Duramax, 6" Tuff Country Lift, Magnaflow Dual Exhaust, PPE Tune, K&N Drop-in Filter

KL7 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2008, 01:20 PM   #60
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockford, IL, just below the cheddar curtain
Age: 42
Posts: 1,685
Re: 96-99 454 Vortec owners?

Glad we can be helpful, we need more 454 owners! We are all too rare in a field of small blocks! Gotta show them who is king of the road! :) Hook up a trailer and show off!
__________________
94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham w/RPO V4P
00 Buick Park Avenue Ultra SC 3800
99 K2500 Suburban 454, Tuned by Me!

"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan
N0DIH is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off






Advertise with FSC



FSC Supporters get goodies!.

We've done the searching for you.

Buy Chevy Parts & Accessories

Need products for your FSC? Check out your options at the links below:

     Save up to 45% off list on K&N Cold Air Intake Kits & get Free Shipping! *restrictions apply
     Save up to 64% off list & get Free Shipping on Truck Lift Kits - in stock now!
     NEW! MBRP Smokers Diesel Exhaust Stacks. Everything you need to plant dual smoke stacks in your truck bed. From $643.95 + Free Shipping.
     Silverado Accessories - Hottest Products!


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:15 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.3.0