New Member, Gaining info on tunes, electronics

[novamodeler3]

Hello!

Brand new to the forum and just as new to the 5.7 Vortec. I want to gain some general information to help me make a decision regarding a tune and future performance mods. Currently 206k miles on my hoe, and recently scanned and showed a P0420 and P0430 codes for catalyst issues.

Now, I'm an old school carburetor guy, and have VERY basic knowledge on the ECM systems with the sensors, and valves, and (IMO, no offense) conehead computer stuff that make these run. But I'm ignorant to the systems.. lol

I'll start by telling you the initial plans for the truck, and ask that y'all chime in with feedback, experience, suggestions..

I've read about the spider line swap, and it makes perfect sense to me over the factory setup. I've noticed in the last 1000 miles, the truck has been laying down considerably when I put my foot into it, it takes a crank or two to start up cold, and has a lot of shifting hesitation.. and I'm not sure if it is the cats stopped up, or the poppet valves stopped up, or a combo of the two. But Initially, I am going to replace the cats with an OEM product, and do the spider line swap. But here's my question: South Carolina doesn't have emission laws, so should I just ditch the cats altogether? And with this comes the o2 sensors justa danglin in the wind, sending bad signals to the fuel dilevery system, wrecking my mileage.. OR... Going with a Hi-Flow Cat, OEM? HELP!!

I'm primarily a highway driver, averaging 65mph at 1600 rpm, with minimal stop and go in-town driving. I hit the occasional trail for some off-roading, and the seldom mud hole..

And with all this, comes the questions about a tune.. I emailed Black Bear and gave em some information about the truck and my future mods as I've said above, but I just need some more opinions from some guys who have more know-how about these powerplants..

I appreciate the help, and look forward to learning the ins-and-outs of these engines!

Thanks!

-Justin

 

[SunlitComet]

these cats are just as good and only cost $386 at amazon. http://www.magnaflow.com/02catalyti...irectfit01.asp?catalogid=7340&directfit=23453

i highly recommend all four sensor be replaced when you do the cat. but a minimum of the two front ones is permitted.

do you spider and inspect the ignition system for worn parts replace any part with a delphi or delco unit unless you go aftermarket performance. spark plugs can be delco or autolite.

when you are ready to pick u some goodies let me know what system you want to upgrade. i have recommendations that are SunlitComet proven. just gotta have the money is all.

As far as the blackbear tune you have a 1999 which can be scan tuned for better results. you can do t now or wait and get some mods in so the scan will read into them so to speak. and one of those mods happens to be swapping the pcm out for the 2002 express van 0411pcm which still ran vortec 350's.

decide what you want to do and what further info you want and we will go from there. there will be plenty of ideas and help for you here soon.
BTW any tech data you need i got.

Engine Component Description




Cylinder Block

The engine block is made of cast iron and has eight cylinders arranged in a V shape with four cylinders in each bank. The cylinder block is a one piece casting with the cylinders encircled by coolant jackets.
Cylinder Head

The cylinder heads are made of cast iron. The valve guides and valve seats are machined surfaces integral to the cylinder head. The 5.7L heavy duty applications have pressed in exhaust valve seats. The spark plugs are located between the intake and exhaust ports.
Camshaft

A steel engine camshaft is supported by five camshaft bearings pressed into the engine block. The camshaft sprocket, mounted to the front of the engine camshaft, is driven by the crankshaft sprocket through a camshaft timing chain.
Motion from the engine camshaft is transmitted to the valves by hydraulic roller valve lifters, valve pushrods, and ball-pivot type valve rocker arms.
Crankshaft

The crankshaft is made of cast nodular iron. The crankshaft is supported by five crankshaft bearings. The crankshaft bearings are retained by the crankshaft bearing caps, which are machined with the engine block for proper alignment and clearances. Light duty 5.0L and 5.7L engines have two bolts per crankshaft bearing cap. The heavy duty 5.7L engines have four bolts per crankshaft bearing cap, on bearing caps 2, 3, and 4. The number 5 crankshaft bearing cap at the rear of the engine is the end thrust bearing cap. The four connecting rod journals (two connecting rods per journal) are spaced 90 degrees apart. The crankshaft position sensor reluctor ring is pushed onto the front of the crankshaft. The crankshaft position sensor reluctor ring has four lugs used for crankshaft timing and it is constructed of powdered metal. The reluctor ring has an interference fit onto the crankshaft and an internal keyway for correct positioning.
Pistons and Connecting Rods

The pistons are made of cast aluminum that use two compression rings and one oil control ring assembly. The piston is a low-friction, lightweight design with a flat top and barrel-shaped skirt. The piston pins are chromium steel. The piston pins have a floating fit in the piston and are retained by a press fit in the connecting rod assembly. The connecting rods are made out of either forged powdered metal or forged steel. The connecting rods are machined with the connecting rod cap installed for proper clearances and alignment.
Valve Train

The valve train is a ball pivot type. Motion is transmitted from the camshaft through the hydraulic roller valve lifters and tubular valve pushrods to the valve rocker arms. The valve rocker arm pivots on a ball in order to open the valve. The hydraulic roller valve lifters keep all parts of the valve train in constant contact. The valve rocker arm ball is retained on the valve rocker arm ball stud with a locking nut. The valve rocker arm ball studs are pressed into the cylinder head.
Intake Manifold

The intake manifold is a two piece design. The upper intake manifold portion is made from a composite material and the lower intake manifold portion is cast-aluminum. The throttle body mounts to the upper intake manifold. The lower intake manifold has an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) port cast into the manifold for mixture of exhaust gases with the fuel and air mixture. The EGR valve mounts to the lower intake manifold.
The Central Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection, Central (SFI) system uses multiple injectors to meter and distribute fuel to each engine cylinder. The Central (SFI) unit is retained by a bracket bolted to the lower intake manifold. The TBI fuel meter also houses the pressure regulator. Metal inlet and outlet fuel lines and nylon delivery tubes independently distribute fuel to each cylinder through nozzles located at the port entrance of each manifold runner where the fuel is atomized.

 

[slipping]

welcome homie! Nice Hoe. Sun is the man fo sho.

 

[novamodeler3]

I like the cats. A performance advantage and church up the exhaust some.

2 questions though.. the above part shows 3 o2 sensors.. is this correct for my vehicle? And does MF provide the sensors with the cats?

If not, whats a good source for sensors to swap at the same time?

 

[SunlitComet]

the converter setup is correct for your vehicle. it is listed as a 4dr application but the converter assembly should be the same 2dr or 4dr. if you like call magnaflow to verify. the 4th sensor mounts just behind the mounting flange on the muffler pipe side as seen below. magnaflow does not provide new sensors but 4 new delphis from amazon can be for about total. they are for the fronts www.amazon.com/Delphi-ES20022-Oxygen-Sensor/dp/B001JEG0M8/. and for the rears http://www.amazon.com/Delphi-ES20000-Oxygen-Sensor/dp/B001J5YY3E/.