Additional, more detailed question on reflash and first-time engine start up.

Hey Andre and HP team,

Thanks again for the webinar and for sending the recording. I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot from it.

You mentioned that I could reply if I had a question that wasn’t answered during the webinar, so I figured I’d throw a bit of a Frankenstein project at you.

I’m building a 1950 Buick Super with a GM L96 6.0L, E78 ECM, and T43-controlled 6L80E. The L96 has a Richard Holdener Truck Plus cam (.585/.585 lift, 219/225 duration @ .050, 111° LSA)

, VVT and AFM deletes, factory GM 12613412 injectors, factory truck intake, and shorty headers. The exhaust will have no catalytic converters, but I’m retaining the factory front narrowband O2 sensors.

The original GM BCM, instrument cluster, and other vehicle modules will not be retained. I’m modifying the OEM GM engine harness for standalone operation, with the E78 and T43 communicating directly over high-speed CAN. I’ll also have a standard OBD-II diagnostic connector on that CAN bus.

I plan to purchase the current HP Tuners interface and tune the combination myself using what I learned in your class. My intention is to start with the existing calibration in the E78, save an untouched copy, and make only the changes required for the actual combination.

My question is:

For an E78/T43 standalone swap like this, are there any calibration settings, module dependencies, or other items you would specifically address before the first startup beyond VATS, VVT/AFM, rear O2/catalyst functions, and the normal engine/transmission calibration?

I’m particularly interested in anything involving the removal of the BCM or other factory modules that might cause an unexpected problem with the E78 or T43.

I realize this is a somewhat unusual application, but that’s part of the fun. I’d appreciate any advice or “watch out for this” items you’ve encountered with similar GM standalone combinations.

Thanks again for your time and for putting on the webinar.

Hi Brian, sounds like a fun project. I think it sounds like you've ticked most of the boxes already - VATS is the usual one that trips people up on engine swaps. Obviously the DTCs for CAT efficiency/rear O2 will need disabling. I haven't specifically used that cam but it's reasonably mild so I'd suspect you'll have no issue running it on a MAF instead of SD. You'll likley want to raise the idle target maybe 100 rpm just to get it up and running and your base running airflow tables will also need adjustment. You could guess by adding say 10% initially and then actually dial them in once its up and running.

I'm not sure what more I can offer on the BCM side of things sorry. All the engine swaps I tuned came to me already running so I haven't gone through this myself. I'd start by scanning the DTCs and see what crops up and go from there.