Quote from Deleted user on May 27, 2019, 1:28 pm

First of all don't throw it in the trash.   There is nothing wrong with the unit.  I have different opinion of the FCC, but we will get to that.

This site would not be here if there weren't happy users, but in that same point it would not be here if the systems were completely plug and play.  Understand?

If you rebuild a Q-jet and install, you will have some level of tuning.  Same with the Fitech.  Difference is the EFI is much more precise and once the major parameters are set, the Fitech does the rest of the work.  Issue here is you know a carb and are comfortable with it.....  Let's get you comfortable with aftermarket EFI!!!!

I am not a big fan of Fitech's call center.  There are individuals there that are great.  Bryce, head of tech support, is awesome.  A wealth of knowledge and a big contributor of information and software for this site.  But, I sometimes wonder who and what they are thinking on some of these calls.  Doesn't matter, you are here now.

You are getting the 198i software loaded. That is good.  This will help.  Save that file, you may want to reload in the future. I have seen software get corrupted and need reloaded.

I need to know more about your engine, cam, heads, intake, exhaust, ignition.  Also need to know more about your Fitech setup, timing control, cam setting, etc.  This will help me pin point....

Also need a datalog.  If you don't know how, here it goes.  While running record a 30 second idle log at operating temperature.  To do this go to your dashboard and then depress the toggle.  You will see "Datalog On". Let run for approx 30 seconds, then depress toggle again, "Datalog Off".  Shut engine off and wait for dashboard data to go blank.  This means the ecu is powered down.  Unplug handheld and attach USB cable to PC.  Handheld will power up with three selections.  Select USB.  A temp drive will come up on the PC directory.  Look for "Log File" folder, then "Dashboard " folder.  Inside will be your log.  If no "Log File" folder, stop, let me know.  I will walk you through that process.

Neat you will need a Dropbox account.  Free file sharing platform.  Transfer the log to your account.  Select 3 dots next to file name, select share then create link.  Copy link to Clipboard and paste on your next post.

The log with the added information will give me an idea of the health of your install.  Usually can see where issues may arise from there.  Your stalling issue or any other tuning issues will come later.  Start with basic groundwork then build from there.

Quote from Norsky on May 27, 2019, 11:50 pm

Quote from Austin DeHaas on May 27, 2019, 1:28 pm

...

I need to know more about your engine, cam, heads, intake, exhaust, ignition.  Also need to know more about your Fitech setup, timing control, cam setting, etc.  This will help me pin point....

Austin, thanks for the reply.

The engine is a bone stock Pontiac 400ci (cam, heads, intake and HEI ignition) - nothing has been changed inside.  The original exhaust manifolds have been replaced with Hedman shorty headers and the original exhaust system has been replaced with 3" Pypes X pipe and Flowmaster 50 Series Delta Flow mufflers.

After getting the ECM updated today I reset the Basic parameters (see below), set the PWM down to 40 (read in a post to change this value when using the FCC) and turned the key - the engine started right up.  I let it idle for awhile and the handheld coolant temp got up to 186 - which it never had before on the supplied temp sending unit - so happy about that.  Shut the engine off and let it sit for 45 minutes or so.  Turned the key again and it started right up - happy about that as well!

I've mentioned in another post that I live in central Colorado at an altitude of 9,200 feet - don't know if this will effect anything in setup or tuning.  I won't be able to create a datalog until Wednesday so will get that off to you as soon as I can.

Thanks again.

 

Main Menu Option #4 - Go-EFI Initial Setup:

Engine Setup: #01-8, #02-400, #03-1, #04-5500, #05-700, #06-didn't change, #07-Tach

Ignition Setup: didn't change anything

Idle Setup: didn't change anything

Fan 1 Setup: #03-Disable

Reset Learn: didn't change anything

 

Main Menu Option #6 - Go-EFI Pro Tuning

Fuel Pump Control: #07-40

Quote from TTA Perf on May 28, 2019, 7:30 am

Nice to see another Pontiac on here.

I deal specifically with the Turbocharged Pontiac 301 Trans Ams from 1980-81 and have tuned a FiTech 30004 on one and will be installing a complete conversion on another in the next week.

When I do these conversions, I use the Spectra GM201EFI conversion fuel tank.  This is a great, bolt in, tank with the fuel pump in the tank.  I also make braided nylon fuel hoses for it so you can use the factory steel line that is on the car.

I would highly recommend removing the FCC and going with the Spectra tank.

And yes, it would be great to see some logs of how your car is running.

Quote from Norsky on May 30, 2019, 10:50 pm

Austin,

Tried creating a datalog today but somehow it came up empty.  I was going from memory so I'm sure I missed a step in your instructions.  The car is down at a garage getting a new rear main seal installed so won't get another chance to create a datalog until early next week.

 

TTA Perf,

Thanks for the welcome and the recommendation on the fuel tank.  Current budget for "car stuff" is rather limited so will have to go with the FCC for awhile.

Quote from Deleted user on May 31, 2019, 9:54 am

No log, can be a couple different things.  Let us know when you get the car back.  Get you fixed up.

Quote from Norsky on June 13, 2019, 3:02 pm

Quote from Austin DeHaas on May 27, 2019, 1:28 pm

Select USB.  A temp drive will come up on the PC directory.  Look for "Log File" folder, then "Dashboard " folder.  Inside will be your log.  If no "Log File" folder, stop, let me know.  I will walk you through that process.

Ok - finally got the car back from the garage (and relatives have left town) so have been able to "play" with the car abit.  Went through the steps you outlined and the log_file/Dashboard folder is empty.  There are however two files in the log_file folder named DashBoardDashBoard1.csv and DashBoardDashBoard1.csvDashBoard1.csv - both have nothing in them (size=0kb).

Another issue has come up but I'll wait with that until we can get past this point.

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

Quote from Norsky on June 13, 2019, 3:22 pm

Ok - got it figured out.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfnelfzwsrs56z8/DashBoard1.csv?dl=0

Let me know if the share link doesn't work.

 

Jim

Quote from Deleted user on June 13, 2019, 5:08 pm

Log looks fairly good.  The unit is doing it's job.  Now you have fairly rich AFR commanded for idle.  This is where your carb knowledge comes into play.

Adjust your idle AFR to vacuum and idle quality on the handheld.  Make sure to hit send to ECU everytime you make a single change.  This process is just like setting idle mixture screws.  Fine tune by reading the plugs.

When happy with idle AFR, adjust your IAC steps a little lower.  I like 15 steps.

Your trims and learn are small values.  That is good.  You have the best cam setting setup.

With your idle AFR, you can use that as a base for the rest of your AFR settings.  Every engine is different.  Many don't understand that the O2 sensor is not calibrated to your engine or exhaust.  The value you see is more of a reference than an actual ratio.  Build around your best values.  Mileage and driveablilty will increase.  Let it learn before anymore changes.

Quote from Norsky on June 14, 2019, 1:21 am

Austin,

Thanks for taking the time to look at the log.  To be honest my carb knowledge isn't very strong.  I know a few basics but I have never fine tuned one.  So after your reply's first couple of sentences you're speaking Greek to me as my understanding of tuning an EFI unit is even less than my knowledge of tuning a carb.  Without some very detailed directions on which parameters/values to modify and which parameters/values to check as I go along I'm afraid I'll royally mess things up.  Is there a reference source, like an "EFI For Dummies" edition, you could recommend that would help me understand this "brave new world" of EFI?  So far I've not come across a comprehensive volume that explains the ins-and-outs of the FI-Tech system for first-timers like myself.

 

The other issue I referenced above has me rather nervous.  It has happened both times I've had the car at my mechanic's garage in the past few weeks working on replacing drive-line seals.  After getting things put all back together the car would start right up and would be left to idle for 10 to 15 minutes.  The first time as I backed the car out of the service bay it stumbled and stalled.  Repeated attempts to restart failed. So in panic mode I called FI-Tech support and the tech walked me through reloading the software into the ECM, reset all the basic parameters and turn the key - BINGO, the car started.  The second time the same thing happened so instead of calling for help I went through the same steps as the first time and BINGO, the car started.

The only differences between the first and second occurrences were the software versions (the tech had sent me the updated version after our chat) and on the second occurrence we noticed the FCC had zero output pressure when trying to restart.  After the reinstall of the software everything was fine.  Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Jim