I don’t remember what thread Rob383 was discussing this stuff on but I’m thinking that HPTuner was the program he used.
2 Likes
This?
4 Likes
Very good writeup Chris!
I think that explains very well what we are looking at with this.
7 Likes
Chris what year models and vehicles were you thinking about for the LS motors .
4 Likes
Hey JacobN.
There is a ton of videos out there on LS engines swapping and even books.
Favor the guys who do the least “need to Aftermarket improving” but use adapted over stock systems.
Like this guy:
And this guy:
Just exploring and watching thier channels is an education.
Regards
Steve Unruh
8 Likes
Anything from 1999-2006 is going to have the non-AFM LS engines. A few nuances will push you towards 2003-up. You have four engine sizes to pick from, 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, 8.1L. Obviously bigger is better for making power, but it depends on your goals. The 5.3 and 6.0 are the most common in the trucks. I’ve got a 6.0 in the 2500 Suburban, and it has plenty of power on gasoline. Way better than the old 350 in my older 1500 Suburban. I’d love to try a 6.0 in a lighter vehicle on woodgas. I also think a 3/4 ton with the 8.1L should rival a V10 Dodge on power output, for a fantastic woodgas work truck.
As far as vehicles, there are plenty of stock vehicles that came with LS motors. Obviously the pickup truck format is the easiest for woodgas. Anything else we’ll have to get creative, like I mentioned with bumper mounts or trailers.
And then there’s swaps, like Steve points out there are tons of people LS-swapping everything you can think of. I have a site bookmarked, seems to be dead now but the wayback machine saved it, this guy figured out all the details for putting LS motors into our Dakotas. Could be interesting for a testbed, the truck itself is a known quantity.
10 Likes
It would have taken me longer than that to get the connectors unplugged.
2 Likes
TomH. I learned years ago to spray wet down weatherproof plastic electrical connectors with silicone spray beforehand. Then both sides wiggle, wiggle, wiggle. Then spray again.
Silicone spray up past a wand probe/pick edge lifting on hoses and vacuum lines does wonders too.
I’ll use any brand silicone spray supplied.
Me, buying; I search out and pay more for the WD-40 brand as the wands are pivot head fixed and do not blow off lost forever. Saves a lot of product versus a wide area spraying.
S.U.
11 Likes
Maybe 2005 and up they had a 5.3l flex fuel which also may have a metal intake. But they didn’t offer it pre-2005. In 09 they had a 6.2, but i think that is the next series.
3 Likes
If people have time and are shopping around. I would possibly be interested in a 2003-2007 probably a 1500 truck .
I’m with Chris I would like to try the 6.0 but a good enough deal on a 5.3 probably would work.
I am looking for something probably under $5k and with under 160k miles on it. The only other thing is I need it to be 4 door.
I am looking for a vehicle right now. The transmission in my old mini van is slipping so it is going to need to be replaced. I need a vehicle that is in good enough shape for road trips. I might not get to the gasifier right away but if I have the vehicle I’m one step closer. And I can use the truck to replace my van for the time being.
9 Likes
Also probably worth mentioning it is going to have to be a really good deal to drive a long way to get it so southeast is where I’m looking.
8 Likes
Just an idea and I’m sure there’s cheaper options than this, but since splicing and tapping wires for existing O2 Sensors can lead to issues down the road, I found this direct OBD2 Serial port gauge. Also nice that if you wanted to hop around to different vehicles it’s all self contained.
It actually can display a few different values from the computer like spark advance, AFR, etc.
https://a.co/d/5pf4y45
Edit: This gauge only works with 2008+ vehicles
7 Likes
OK, for us less technical folk how would that be used please?
2 Likes
You plug it into the OBD2 Port where you’d normally hook up a Scan Tool for diagnosing check engine lights, and if you’re using the Air Fuel Ratio you can get a better mixture of air and woodgas. The upside to this is you don’t have to do any splicing or wiring, it’s powered by the OBD2 port. This is basically a Scan Tool shaped like a gauge. You can select through different modes to check on different sensors, like coolant temperature, spark timing, manifold pressure etc.
This will only work on an OBD2 vehicle(1996 and up) obviously. Some people are saying it may only work on vehicles made from 2008 and up, I’ll look into it more to make sure.
Edit: Okay yeah it seems this gauge only works with 2008+ vehicles that support CAN BUS.
7 Likes
I understand the computer in the vehicle controls just about everything, not how it does so or how to adjust settings in the computer. If I’m asking a silly question please forgive. When you say “if you’re using the Air Fuel Ratio you can get a better mixture of air and woodgas” are you saying the gauge can be used to control the ratio? I am thinking along the lines of a street rod show a few years ago where I saw they were using a cell phone to control various aspects of a car’s functions, I seem to remember the air/fuel ratio was one of those they could alter. It was in conjunction with a bluetooth unit connected to the OBD2 serial port. That’s where the question derives from as this seems it might be similar.
3 Likes
No it’s not controlling the AFR, you’re just able to see what the AFR is and can tune it yourself when running on woodgas by choking or opening up the air mixture.
What I linked doesn’t change settings in the computer other than clearing codes, it’s just to view what the computer is seeing. It’s just a gauge.
1 Like
Thanks for the clarification.
2 Likes
This works on my car, do you think the gauges you found would also work?
WiFi Felkodsläsare ELM327 ELM 327 Bildiagnostik Tuning
2 Likes
The gauge I linked says it only works on vehicles made in 2008 or newer.
3 Likes
Hey Guys here is a newly put up “fix up a newer system car” video put up by Todd on his Project farm channel.
No. Not a vehicle to wood gas. But a late model computers controlled vehicle needing diagnosing, electronic, emissions and many mechanical repairs.
The lesson is get over being afraid of newer stuff.
Do get the tools you will need. And wade on in to modern stuff.
He’s doing nearly all exactly how I do. Using many of the same tools and techniques.
Just DO save some time; frustrations; and breakages, and dripping wet down the plastic weather proof electrical connectors and plastic splash panel and body panne pin/clips with an aerosol can of silicone spray before attempting removing.
Regards
Steve Unruh
8 Likes