Thread: tuning for olds intrigue

just wanting to know if any 1999 w body pcm will work or if i have to send the pcm in for a tune

Originally Posted by mechguy

Is it a 3.5L? A 3.8L tune would not work for a 3.5.

ya its a 1999 3800 series 2

What are you wanting to do (concerning a tune)?

I only ask because I've had a couple of guys do L67 swaps in these cars and found out they could NOT use a W-body L67 tune in the Intrigue due to the VATS issue.

The Intrigue used the PASSLOCK type VATS system which was not used by any L67-equipped car until 2004 model year (Impala SS and Monte SS). Loading an earlier W-body L67 tune into your PCM will result in a no-start condition.

But you can't use a 2004 PCM in your car because the A/C request signal gets communicated to the PCM from the HVAC control panel in a different way (in 2004-05 L67 W-body cars) than it does in your Intrigue. I'm also not sure if there will be other inter-vehicle communications issues between modules if you use "too new" of a PCM.

-ryan

Ryan.. Being that the Bonneville got that setup in 2000 and had the L67,...it probably still wouldn't work because of the difference between bodies and BCM's etc?

2000 Bonneville's got the PassKey3 type VATS system; and no it will not work with the BCM in the Intrigue.

hmm then what are my options is there a way to bypass the passlock or do i have to get a in car tune its just a n/a tune i would like its for my dad he just wants speed limiter removed shift points at 6000k line pressure raised pretty much a canned type tune

if you did a full re-write to the pcm i bet it would work

I run a 99 boneville sse pcm

99 Bonneville's used the PassKey2 VATS system. Totally different in function to the Intrigue's PASSLOCK system. In the PassKey2 system used in the 99 Bonneville, the Fuel Enable signal gets transmitted to the PCM on its own dedicated wire. In the Intrigue, the fuel/crank enable signal gets transmitted to the PCM over the Class 2 data circuit. Because of this, I don't see how 99 Bonneville programming would work.

FYI: Starting in 2000 model year, the Bonneville got the PassKey3 VATS system and never used the PASSLOCK system (thank goodness!).

The 99 Regal GS PCM I tried in an Intrigue before had PassKey2 just like the Bonneville, except the fuel-enable signal in the 99 Regal GS PCM/programming gets transmitted over the Class 2 data line just like it does stock in the Intrigue. The Regal GS programming didn't end up working, and neither did 99 Grand Prix GTP programming I tried that already had VATS disabled from the factory. Apparently the PASSLOCK fuel enable signal differs from the PASSKEY2 fuel enable signal, even when both are transmitted over the Class 2 data line.

It is all a moot point anyway since I can reprogram Intrigue PCMs. I've even tuned a few to run L67's (using the L36-based programming) without any problems.

And for the record, I always do a full write when I program V6 PCMs.

-ryan

Originally Posted by Sinister Performance

The PASSLOCK systems are a PITA to bypass; and that's just if you are going to install a remote start module in your car. But in your case, I don't think it is even possible for what you are asking to be done. The reason why is because the starter crank signal is controlled by the PCM in your application and the signal to crank the engine comes from the ignition switch, goes to the PCM, the PCM waits for the PASSLOCK/VATS-enable signal from the BCM (via Class2 communications), then if it gets it, it activates the crank relay. Since the other W-body cars in question didn't share this exact same type of scheme/process, they aren't compatible.

I tried a PCM tune from a Regal and Grand Prix in an Intrigue and it didn't work (engine wouldn't even crank) because of the communication mismatch between the BCM and PCM, presumably due to the different types of VATS systems these cars used.

If you are looking for a "canned" tune, I can help you out. I have tuning software that works with the Intrigue 3800 (and 3.5 DOHC) PCMs. Contact me via email or PM if you are interested.

-ryan

thank you i will contact you