Maybe 'fry' is a bit of an overstatement, but it certainly doesnt help longevity of the electronics inside by putting it out in the open engine bay / removing the stock airbox.

For the same reason you don't want an open air filter sitting in the engine bay (sucking hot air coming off the radiator and exhaust), you'd also prefer to keep important electronics sealed off from that heat too. Ive seen some stock airboxes where the pcm is stood up inside the box near the airflow path to ensure its getting true ambient air circulation. Id imagine the LS4 cars probably have even higher under hood temps as you've got so much more of the open compartment taken up with engine volume (that's at 200+ F).

No doubt a ton of people with w bodies have just mounted it in the open bay with no issues - but I'd imagine the failure rate goes up some small %, especially over the long haul otherwise GM wouldn't have spent the time and money to do it in the first place.

 

Thats why I realized after installing it that the professional 1s you buy for 300+ dollars have the shields already. I was going to mock up some kinda ghetto shield but like I've said I've never owner a MC or car with an LS4 let alone a horizontally opposed one. It was bogging at about 45 mph before the tune and CAI removal. I told the tuner about that he said was this around the time you installed the CAI? I said honestly i'm not sure. Regardless after everything- the tune, returning to the stock box with a drop in k&n and after finding out my front upper torque/engine mount bushing was completely broken and fixing that my car is running a lot "tighter" would be a good word to describe it. Noticeable throttle response and with the new bushing a lot better launch. The tuner noticed my engine kinda jumping and he told me about that so with my limited knowledge I luckily checked it and the old bushing, the middle was cracked and just crumbled and fell out after I took the bolt off!!

 

I don't think anyone was trying to insult the person you used for tuning. Honestly, you keep promoting "go look at his work". I cannot speak for everyone, but unless I was looking for a dyno tuner to do some work, I am not going to put much effort (if any at all) into looking at his work. You did your research and seem to have faith in him, that is the important part. But some of your statements based on what myself and others know seemed a bit odd, such as a CAI "frying" a PCM. Serious? You could run open throttle body (no filter at all), that will NOT damage a PCM (might put you at risk of other issues, but NOT a PCM). That "fry" comment is what really got to me (I could care less about mixing up the terms of ECU vs PCM vs "computer").

But again it sounds like you expected big benefits from a car that is almost bone stock.... Now a bit bummed you got very little in terms of numbers.

 

I'm over it. Shut the thread down.

 

car is on craigslist Sacramento take it off my hands so I can get a rear wheel drive old school with a carb

 

If you don't mind me asking- why the sudden change of heart?

It sounded like you were OK if it didn't make a bunch more power from the tune, and you seemed happy with the launching after fixing the maintenance issue.

Just curious why just dump it - especially after just spending that money on it.

 

For starters I never said or had a "change of heart" hah. I never liked the car much. Didn't even know it was FWD and you can't even turn donuts with it but that wasn't the main reason I walked away from buying it. My father was with me and offered to put $700 on it saying "you'll regret it" so basically I liked what I had researched but was somewhat conned into the deal. Not totally blaming him but if he wasn't there I wouldn't be here...........

 

And yes I probably overpaid but with the amount of cash I'm taking in at this point $600 doesn't make any dent although i was raised to be frugal and should of I guess known better.

 

At the same time, after I purchased the car, which I did research prior to buying, I wanted it over the Impala as it was a 2 door and lighter. I could of got a nice GXP but it was sold from a dealer before I got to it. Anyways, every day i'm online researching everything I can about the LS4 engine and the 2007 MC SS. When i go on google to type anything "monte carlo ss" comes up 1st. I'm trying. I love cars but think i'm not in the right zone. Im newly 40 yo and got my 1st old school at 14 which I could talk for hours about restoring it but i'm trying to get back to what I was used to. If i could change this car I'd obviously make it RWD and put at least a 5.7 in with a comparable transmission. I have 89k and mine was rebuilt at 40kish probably like most of the posters here with my model/year.

 

Sorry I keep thinking of new stuff no more posts I promise here is a walk around video if anyone cares.