Hey y'all
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Hey y'all
Brand new member checking in and already asking a favor.
You see, I'm an old fart and used to be what was called a "shade tree mechanic" Loved cars and the joy and pride that came from making them run right, or, run righteous as we used to say. But that was a long time ago in the days of points and plugs and condensers and carbs, when all timing was purely mechanical. Then life intervened, military service, wife, kids, home and career and cars just became a tool of living.
I just bought a 2004 MC SS with 120,000 miles and great potential but I open the hood now and don't even know what I'm looking at, so much to learn. That brings me to the favor, I need to pick y'alls brain a bit:
1) I guess by a "tune" you mean the reprograming of a computer or sensing devices?
2) Do the "chips" I see advertised accomplish this or are they more gimmick?
3) What is a "dog bone"
Thanks fellas, so much more I don't understand but this will get me started.
You see, I'm an old fart and used to be what was called a "shade tree mechanic" Loved cars and the joy and pride that came from making them run right, or, run righteous as we used to say. But that was a long time ago in the days of points and plugs and condensers and carbs, when all timing was purely mechanical. Then life intervened, military service, wife, kids, home and career and cars just became a tool of living.
I just bought a 2004 MC SS with 120,000 miles and great potential but I open the hood now and don't even know what I'm looking at, so much to learn. That brings me to the favor, I need to pick y'alls brain a bit:
1) I guess by a "tune" you mean the reprograming of a computer or sensing devices?
2) Do the "chips" I see advertised accomplish this or are they more gimmick?
3) What is a "dog bone"
Thanks fellas, so much more I don't understand but this will get me started.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,601
From: Mentor, Ohio
Welcome to MCF!
I think this will answer your questions
1) I guess by a "tune" you mean the reprograming of a computer or sensing devices?
- A tune is reprogramming the PCM (Performance Control Module, I believe in earlier cars, pre-ODB-II cars it was an ECU, the computer that controls it all). The PCM has many parameters dictating how your car behaves. In some cars it can control transmission shifting and line pressure (like a computer version of a "shift kit") and it can change fueling or when the fans kick on. Wealth of stuff you can change.
2) Do the "chips" I see advertised accomplish this or are they more gimmick?
I won't speak from experience (as I don't have any in this market, but a lot of reading), since you can "tune" PCMs in modern Montes, the idea of a "chip" is a gimmick. Older cars that had an ECU had an EEPROM chip. You wanted a new tune, you replaced the "chip" in the ECU. These cars, you reprogram the PCM. The modern "chips" sold for a PCM based car are typically devices that sit inline somewhere to trick the PCM to yield certain results. Results that may not be in your best interest.
3) What is a "dog bone"
Easy, pop the hood on your Monte, you will see two sets of mounts up to going from the upper radiator brace to the engine. One piece is a "radiator mount" (bolted to the radiator support) and the other that looks like a fork or "wish bone" that goes between the radiator mount and the engine is that item called a "dog bone".
I believe the term was derived from earlier cars that had an almost identical mount set up, but that dog bone actually looked like a dog bone (or more like a dog bone).
Hope that helps. And welcome to MCF.
I think this will answer your questions
1) I guess by a "tune" you mean the reprograming of a computer or sensing devices?
- A tune is reprogramming the PCM (Performance Control Module, I believe in earlier cars, pre-ODB-II cars it was an ECU, the computer that controls it all). The PCM has many parameters dictating how your car behaves. In some cars it can control transmission shifting and line pressure (like a computer version of a "shift kit") and it can change fueling or when the fans kick on. Wealth of stuff you can change.
2) Do the "chips" I see advertised accomplish this or are they more gimmick?
I won't speak from experience (as I don't have any in this market, but a lot of reading), since you can "tune" PCMs in modern Montes, the idea of a "chip" is a gimmick. Older cars that had an ECU had an EEPROM chip. You wanted a new tune, you replaced the "chip" in the ECU. These cars, you reprogram the PCM. The modern "chips" sold for a PCM based car are typically devices that sit inline somewhere to trick the PCM to yield certain results. Results that may not be in your best interest.
3) What is a "dog bone"
Easy, pop the hood on your Monte, you will see two sets of mounts up to going from the upper radiator brace to the engine. One piece is a "radiator mount" (bolted to the radiator support) and the other that looks like a fork or "wish bone" that goes between the radiator mount and the engine is that item called a "dog bone".
I believe the term was derived from earlier cars that had an almost identical mount set up, but that dog bone actually looked like a dog bone (or more like a dog bone).
Hope that helps. And welcome to MCF.
Welcome to the forum!
Jason (Maniac) Great info!
with excellent answers for this members questions!
I hope Jason provided you with what you needed to know... Feel free to ask and theres always someone here that can help you out!
Thanks for Joining the MCF and when you can please post pictures of your New Monte Carlo!
Jason (Maniac) Great info!
with excellent answers for this members questions!
I hope Jason provided you with what you needed to know... Feel free to ask and theres always someone here that can help you out!
Thanks for Joining the MCF and when you can please post pictures of your New Monte Carlo!
Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 25,145
From: Southeast PA
One of the problems with "chips" is that they try to FOOL the car's computer instead of aiding the computer.
Some of them just plug in line with your (intake air temp) IAT sensor. What they do is tell the car that the air entering the engine is colder than it actually is. Since colder air is denser, the car will add more fuel to compensate. However, that will just make you run very rich.
Running too rich in these cars means that you can foul out the cat, build up carbon, etc. etc.
Most chips just try to fake things like that, I would avoid anything that is just too good to be true.
Some of them just plug in line with your (intake air temp) IAT sensor. What they do is tell the car that the air entering the engine is colder than it actually is. Since colder air is denser, the car will add more fuel to compensate. However, that will just make you run very rich.
Running too rich in these cars means that you can foul out the cat, build up carbon, etc. etc.
Most chips just try to fake things like that, I would avoid anything that is just too good to be true.
