Well, the new radiator showed up and I got it installed. Sort of. After explicitly explaining what NOT to do - they did what I told them not to anyway. I swear I will NEVER, EVER deal with Griffin again. Their manufacturing quality seems to be ok, but their customer service and support sucks pond water. My fault. I read all the posts on Pirate and went with them anyway. A mistake I won't repeat. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
So, I kinda got it wedged in. The mount pins are totally screwed up. I told them to measure form the forward edge of the core to the pin center on the stock radiator. That would give them the distance to measure from the forward edge of the core on the new radiator. So, what do they do? They just centered them on the tanks. They can't follow their own instructions so I guess its unrealistic to expect that they'd follow mine. So, now I have to find someone to grind the existing pins off and TIG some new ones on. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
Anyway, I got it mounted well enough to take it out on the highway. I replaced the condenser this week, too, and between the two my heating problem seems to be under control. The stock thermostat is 203-212 and my Stock '03 3.5L Limited runs about 203-207. The temps aren't exact since the ECM/PCM doesn't output on OBD-II in 1 degree increments. The highest I saw on the highway while fighting wind on a 5% grade doing about 70 was 210. On a 7% for several miles doing 60-65 it hit 214 but within seconds of the grade starting to decrease it dropped back to 210. Temp was between 75-85. 30-40 mph driving it sits at 203-207 with one fan barely running. Other than the stupid pins, I need to readjust my fans again for the new radiator.
I did drop it into Lo for a bit to see what happened with the temps. It's obvious that the stock 3.0L ECM has WAY too much timing for the 3.5L and my 5.38 gears. In Lo (2.72) on a 6%(or so) incline doing a couple miles an hour the timing is pegged at 40. Well, I suspected the stock 3.0L ECM wouldn't work in the long run by itself with the 3.5L.
Which brings me to the '99 PCM into my '97 swap. I think I have everything I could find in all the FSMs figured out with the exception of the transmission input and output sensors.
I don't know if this will work or not, but my idea is to permanently 'lock' the TCU part of the PCM in Neutral. The problem with the input and output sensors is that there is gear ratio math going on in the PCM and if the rear calculations don't match the front sensor, you get a CEL and it puts the PCM in limp-home mode. Based on what I've managed to find and the behavior of my '03, in Neutral the PCM doesn't use the input and output sensor data since it's not in gear and therefore won't trigger CEL.
My theory is, that in Neutral the TCU should just sit there and do nothing. The ECU should do what an ECM would do without input from a TCU - which is, just manage the engine without the transmission tweaking settings. AS LONG AS all the TCU inputs/outputs are correctly simulated.
If that works AND I can get away with a couple resistors to simulate input and output sensors I think this might work. Won't know until I get it all built and installed.
Anyway, does this sound right or did I just get ahold of some bad crack? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
I updated the link to the PDF with the table. I added rough circuit drawings and descriptions. I welcome input from anyone with more electronics knowledge than me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I'm keeping my fingers crossed but .... If it doesn't I guess a parallel MS install will be in the works here soon.
Edward
