Dumb FNG bricks E38 I need all the help I can get!...PLEASE Anyone near Philly PA?

[mrjack55]

Ok, there is no other way to put it, the dumb new guy f'd up.

I have a 2013 silverado 1500 LTZ with an LC9 that has 194000 on it.
I got this brilliant idea to build a new motor with out all the DOD and VVT. Got a doner 2007 LC9, stripped it, honed it, cleaned it all up and rebuilt it.
I used new stock flattop pistons, all new bearings rigs gaskets, BTR Truck Norris cam and springs, DOD delete valley cover, VVT delete front cover, stripped and cleaned a set 799 heads, cleaned up the valves and valve seats, just about everything I could think of. We did the motor swap last weekend. At first wouldn't start. Then it did start but ran like crap. I know, I know...you are all screaming IT'S GOING TO NEED A TUNE FIRST YOU IDIOT! Once I finally came around to that fact I bought an HPT.

I linked up and copied the stock tune that was in it. At least I was smart enough to do that. Then I made the changes in Editor to delete the VVT. Left the Intake min. at 2 and then zeroed out all the Desiried Angles (lLow, Med, High). Loaded that tune. It started, it did idle but surged like it had a super chop cam in it. I switched to Scanner to see what was happening, which made no sense since I really have no idea what I was looking at. I then turned the engine off, disconnected from the OBD and that's when it went to shit. All gauges, lights, locks, everything died. The only thing that lights up when the key is in the on position is the CEL. When the key is off, the tiny indicator led on the 4wd knob stays lit. There is no power to the OBD anymore.

So, did I kill it? Did I miss a disconnect step the pissed everything off? I'm totally crushed, and now totally without a daily driver. MY WIFE IS NOT VERY HAPPY WITH ME!
I'm a dead man

is there something I'm missing? I tried all the tricks I could find. Unplug everything, let it sit for a while, try again. I was going to try the neg wire trick, but stopped before a dug myself deeper.

Sorry for the novel. Just trying to add any detail that might help. If anyone lives near Philly PA, and is willing to meet in person, let me know. Tune file attached.

Thank guys
Jack

[blindsquirrel]

It's unrelated to unplugging anything, you lost some other power or ground, something that got touched during the engine swap. No part of the ECM controls the +12v at the DLC, that comes right from a fuse. Check your wiring diagrams.

[5FDP]

If the tune flashed and you were able to start the truck, it's not likely that you bricked the computer.

Start checking all of your maxi fuses on the truck, maybe one popped.

In the tune you still have to set the camshaft selction in the VVT tab to none because you removed the VVT. Then anything VVT or DoD related in the DTC's list needs to be set to no error reported.

[mrjack55]

It's unrelated to unplugging anything, you lost some other power or ground, something that got touched during the engine swap. No part of the ECM controls the +12v at the DLC, that comes right from a fuse. Check your wiring diagrams.

Ok, thank you.

[mrjack55]

If the tune flashed and you were able to start the truck, it's not likely that you bricked the computer.

Start checking all of your maxi fuses on the truck, maybe one popped.

In the tune you still have to set the camshaft selction in the VVT tab to none because you removed the VVT. Then anything VVT or DoD related in the DTC's list needs to be set to no error reported.

I have a lot to figure out. Thanks for the tip with the cam.

[streetking408ys]

Bill @ Second Street Speed in Perkasie would be a good resource for help near you. One of the best in the business.

[mrjack55]

Bill @ Second Street Speed in Perkasie would be a good resource for help near you. One of the best in the business.

I haven't been to Second Street in 20+ years! Bill was always a good guy. He and Lon always did good by me.

[Alvin]

Traditionally the cigarette lighter fuse is the DLC fuse. Might be marked power outlet or something now.

[blindsquirrel]

Honestly, it sounds more like a main power or ground, especially since this is after an engine swap. Or the wonderful side terminal battery cable ends (what a fantastic idea those were).

[mrjack55]

Honestly, it sounds more like a main power or ground, especially since this is after an engine swap. Or the wonderful side terminal battery cable ends (what a fantastic idea those were).

Well, you were right on the money. The bolt that was holding the ground strap to the back of the head was a few mm too long. it bottomed out before tightening enough to make a solid ground.
Thank you for keeping me on the right track.

Now I just need to get the tune straightened out. I had a shop tune it, but I still don't know if it's the best tune. I know that taking a VVT equipped truck and swapping in a Non-VVT engine isn't their speciality. These guys are more race car WOT tuners. It got an hr on the chassis dyno and made 276hp at 103mph. I was hoping for better, at least in the 300's That is still with the stock exhaust, so I do have plans to swap that too. Attached is the latest tune. If you or anyone else has had some experience with this type of swap, I would really appreciate your suggestions or recommendations. Thanks everyone for any and all help.BigRedVVTDelete1 7-14-223.hpt

[edcmat-l1]

Well, you were right on the money. The bolt that was holding the ground strap to the back of the head was a few mm too long. it bottomed out before tightening enough to make a solid ground.
Thank you for keeping me on the right track.

Now I just need to get the tune straightened out. I had a shop tune it, but I still don't know if it's the best tune. I know that taking a VVT equipped truck and swapping in a Non-VVT engine isn't their speciality. These guys are more race car WOT tuners. It got an hr on the chassis dyno and made 276hp at 103mph. I was hoping for better, at least in the 300's That is still with the stock exhaust, so I do have plans to swap that too. Attached is the latest tune. If you or anyone else has had some experience with this type of swap, I would really appreciate your suggestions or recommendations. Thanks everyone for any and all help.BigRedVVTDelete1 7-14-223.hpt

Trucks dyno incredibly poorly. I've stopped dyno tuning them altogether unless they're highly modified. The MPH tells me they were smart enough to dyno it in 2nd or 3rd gear to keep the speed down.

[Alvin]

Well, you were right on the money. The bolt that was holding the ground strap to the back of the head was a few mm too long. it bottomed out before tightening enough to make a solid ground.
Thank you for keeping me on the right track.

Now I just need to get the tune straightened out. I had a shop tune it, but I still don't know if it's the best tune. I know that taking a VVT equipped truck and swapping in a Non-VVT engine isn't their speciality. These guys are more race car WOT tuners. It got an hr on the chassis dyno and made 276hp at 103mph. I was hoping for better, at least in the 300's That is still with the stock exhaust, so I do have plans to swap that too. Attached is the latest tune. If you or anyone else has had some experience with this type of swap, I would really appreciate your suggestions or recommendations. Thanks everyone for any and all help.BigRedVVTDelete1 7-14-223.hpt

With the MPH it sounds like its possible they ran it in a lower gear than 1:1 possibly to keep the driveshaft happy. This will also show much less power.

I won't put trucks on the dyno anymore simply because I've had too many chunk driveshafts.. Even short cab short box trucks.

[mrjack55]

With the MPH it sounds like its possible they ran it in a lower gear than 1:1 possibly to keep the driveshaft happy. This will also show much less power.

I won't put trucks on the dyno anymore simply because I've had too many chunk driveshafts.. Even short cab short box trucks.

Trucks dyno incredibly poorly. I've stopped dyno tuning them altogether unless they're highly modified. The MPH tells me they were smart enough to dyno it in 2nd or 3rd gear to keep the speed down.

Thanks for this guys. Makes a lot of sense when I think of the reasons you mentioned. The reward isn't worth the risk.