Buick V6 conversion

[4bait]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

I Think I have the interrupt sorted out now, I have put in an extra relay that is activated from the old interrupt switch, the relay then cuts power to 3 injectors on the starboard side which nicely drops the rpm to about 300 momentarily allowing the gears to disengage.
Works in the test tank anyway and when the interrupt wasn't hooked up in the test tank it was definitely harder to get into neutral.
Hopefully a water test on Wednesday will confirm but if it needs more then I can easily hook up a few more injectors as well.

The only problem is that it takes a couple of seconds before the motor returns to normal, I suspect the old interrupt switch is sticking and hanging on.

Heres a pic of the water proof box I put in for the computer and stuff for those who are interested.


I used an Ice box so it is also insulated from heat and cold and it is tucked up under the transom behind the rear seat.
I have a little bit of Glass work to tidy it all up a bit more.

Cheers Andy

 

[achris]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

thanks for that.

The only way I think I can do this is cut power to either the injectors or the DFI module and for this I need a switch that is normally closed opossed to normally open, either that or a relay operating of the existing switch.

I'll give that mob a try and see what they have

cheers andy

I haven't checked the switch itself, but the new MPI engines drop 3 cylinders when the switch is activated. I also haven't checked if they are doing it by killing spark or stopping injectors.... I have the manuals here and will check up for you.... But I do know that the engine kicks back up immediately.

Love your electronics box....

Chris.....

 

[wire2]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Something that hasn't come up yet on this thread, what rpm does this particular model Buick 3.8 idle at? I expect the PCM controls the idle air motor, with no provision for manual intervention.

The reason I bring it up, I experimented with a TPI setup on my 5.7 a couple of years ago. The looks, starting, response and power were great, but the PCM wanted to idle it at 850 rpm. With a 23" prop on a 1.47 leg, it took off way too fast for safety, plus it wouldn't come out of gear unless I turned the key off.
I didn't have a shift interrupt wired in at the time, I'm sure it would have confused the PCM into trying to compensate and throw a bunch of error codes.

I had Howell EFI program another chip, but it was the same. I don't think they changed the right parameters. I gave it up, put the quadra jet back on.

 

[4bait]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Thanks guys

Achris the shift interrupt drops the RPM down to about 300 and it seems to work well in the test tank with a high pitch prop on.
The Delay appears to be a sticky micro switch on the interrupt I put a test light on it and it goes on and off with the same delay.

Still haven't had the boat in the water yet for a maiden as the weather has been crappy and work keeps calling me in on my days off, Something to do with Tiger woods wanting to make a come back and defend his title, and my Place of work being The Victoria Golf Club which is hosting the Aussy Masters soon Grrrrr and in November, Snapper season double Grrrrrr They won't delay the tournament for me LOL

Wire2, thanks for you reply also

This motor did idle at around 800rpm, I can wipe copy and rewrite my own chips for the computer and have the tuning programs etc to change things and have dropped it to 650 rpm and all seems good, it doesn't log a code when the injectors cut out as the computer needs a bit more time to gather input messages before logging any codes and the interrupt works reasonably quick.

I have also disabled the transmission and Speedo sensor imputes which for obvious reasons are not needed in a boat.

I have a round 20 spare computer chips here so I was going to make some different programs and swap them over on the water test to compare them.

I am also toying with reprogramming the air conditioner input that normally tells the motor to idle a bit faster when the aircon is on. I want to tell it to idle slower when the computer gets that input, I can then hopefully flick a switch and drop the idle down a little more for docking etc if need be. It sounds good in theory anyway.

Cheers Andy

 

[4bait]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Ok so the BOM got it wrong and the predicted 30-knot winds and 3 meter waves didn?t arrive. as you can see by the pic below it is nice and flat with just a little fog,

So I finally got to do my water test and I must say I was very happy with the results.

First off I had an old 19p 3 blade prop on and found the thing didn?t have enough thrust to steer the boat properly at idle, Which is strange because the old motor had a 4 blade 17p so their must be a slight gear ratio change there.

With the 3 blade prop it still went well under high revs but it did want to rev higher than I liked, also hole shot was awesome, in fact too awesome LOL.
Piece of advice don?t try this without securing everything in the boat first LOL, I went from Idle to full throttle and everything that wasn?t tied or bolted down in the front of the boat ended up in the rear of the boat in a milli second LOL

Given that I headed back to the ramp and swapped the 19 p prop for a 21 p 3 blade prop and headed back out again.

This was heaps better, Hole shot as expected was down a little from before but still pretty good and WOT at around 4700 rpm doing 65kph 35 knots. This is a 10kph improvement from the old engine and I think there is still heaps of room for more improvement.
I?m Still running the standard Holden computer chip at this stage as it gives me a starting point to change things, but over all I think the standard tune is pretty good and fairly well suited to the boat.

Exhaust manifolds at full noise stayed nice and cold and basically everything did what it should be doing.

I think the prop may have a slight slippage in the bush as the motor seemed to intermitantly rev slightly higher for no reason and the prop nut was loose when I got back home.

I would also like to make the whole thing a bit quieter and will be putting some extra sound deadener foam in the engine bay, It is better than the old 470 motor for noise but again there is room for improvement.
Why do cars run pretty silent at 3000rpm and boats sound like a rocket ship LOL,

Here is a bit of video looking over the transom while under way Please excuse the shoddy camera work as it is hard to shoot video and drive a boat at the same time LOL, (Lucky there isn't a law against it yet)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oNR2xglnII

Cheers Andy

 

[scipper77]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Awesome job as usual.

Just thought I'd post a simple conversion so others won't have to

65 kph = 40.4 mph

35 knots = 40.3 mph

4700 rpm = 4700 rpm

Very respectable numbers for a boat that size with a 3.8 liter. My 17' open bow tops out at around 47 mph with a 3.8 liter (older design, carb ...).

 

[180shabah]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Even with that camera angle, I can tell you were grinin' ear to ear.

Awsome job!

 

[achris]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Very impressive... Well done Andy.

So, you've gone from 3.7 litre to 3.8 litre and picked up 5 knots... Got to be happy with that....

As a comparison my original engine was 4.1 litre and only got 30 knots. The 4.3 V6 (carbed) took it to 39 knots, the 4.3 MPI takes it to 44 knots....

Cheers.....

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Hey Andy,

Are you still looking for a NO/NC shift interrupt switch? Check out this thread and what I cobbled up.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=290793&highlight=shift

 

[pbmang]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Amazing work! That was a pleasure to read. You have some serious fabrication skills and should be very pleased with the work you have done.

Simply Fantastic!

 

[dannyual767]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Simply AWESOME!!!!

 

[scipper77]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

It's funny to me. I think that this thread doesn't get that many responses because the work done here is sooooo far above and beyond what anyone else here could do on there own that we are all just reading along with our jaws wide open!!

No one can question what is done, there are no debates over the best way to do things.

The most amazing thing is that there is no unexpected issues every step of the way causing you to scramble to find a way out. (Murphy)

 

[walleye seeker]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

You my man are a very talented individual i am a fabricator by trade. I dont beleive i could pull of a job like this. So many things to think of great job.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

!!!Well done! Video was fine too- audio reminded me of our old Johnson Reveler 155.

So, can a car engine be put in a boat??? If one has the talent you do!

 

[Daniel77]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

What a talented man. I know its a late post but i couldnt help my self.
I have to give credit when it's due and the man is a genius.

Go Aussie Engineering.......

 

[g4ce.nz]

Re: Buick V6 conversion

Hi guys,
I found this forum after doing several searches and am blown away by Andy's work on this motor.
My question is this.Does any one know how to find Andy's email so as to contact him. I had purchased 2 of these Ecotec engines about 6 months ago to marry up with my twin surface drive unit on a 10m sports fisher and unfortunately there is not a lot of infomation or experience out there for this conversion.
I did send a mesage to him on the forum but considering that the last time he posted was almost 2 years ago, I am not sure if he is still a member.
Any assistance would be great.

Gareth
Auckland