RPM and Speed Limiter

[KenMathisHD]

I've got a somewhat new-to-me '00 4x4 1500 that I'm considering loaning to my younger brother. To ensure it lasts longer than his other vehicles, I'm wanting to see about setting a lower value on the engine speed and vehicle speed limiter if one already exists. My understanding is that the ECU is already programmed to limit these to like 98-99mph and whatever their red line is (like 4800-5200 or something?). I'd like to see about limiting vehicle speed to 80mph and, if possible, limiting maximum engine speed to 2700-3000 RPM's. This isn't something that should ever be used by him to tow anything and shouldn't go over 80 while it's on loan to him, so I figure these are good limits.  My questions are this: 

 

Will this be something I can get the ECU reprogrammed for, or is it something I need a physical device for?

 

If it's ECU programming, is this something that should be relatively simple for me to do myself with the right equipment? I figure ECU reprogramming for this would run anywhere from $200-$400, so if it's something I can do then I'll buy the OBDII to USB cable and the right software for it so I can alter it later if necessary. I've got a LQ swap planned in the future for my 92 K1500, so I figure the tools will be useful for messing with the tune I get for that (not setting the initial tune myself) and for diagnosing whatever is bound to go wrong.

 

Is there anything I need to take into consideration in doing this? My initial thoughts are how will the trans react to limiting the motor speed (I'm assuming it would be a 4L60E, yea?) if he tries to downshift to go faster instead of just limiting the maximum vehicle speed.

 

Thanks!
~Ken
 

[CamGTP]

You would probably want to buy something like HP Tuners for this. It can work with anything you plan to do with an LS swap in the future. The device $300, it comes with the cables and the software is free to download. The rest is just the cost of the credits to license the computer to make the changes. That truck is $100 for a license that you can do an unlimited amount of changes too. It's also a very good diagnostic trouble shooting tool with a scanner functions.

 

Yes, you should be able to lower the speed limiter down to something like 80mph.

 

I wouldn't want to lower the rpm rev limit that low. It's going to fuel cut/spark cut so bad and if it was in the wrong situation you could be a sitting duck. Like you are pulling out into traffic or needing to merge and you'll lose all power with a rev limit of only 3,000rpm.

 

No engine damage is going to happen if you leave it with the stock rev limit settings of around 5,600-5,800rpm. It's going to shift around ~5,200-5,400 in those trucks.

 

 

There may be other options out there but I've used HPT for over 8 years now, it's just something I'm used too.

[KenMathisHD]

Would the MPVI2 from HP tuners work? And would the device be something I would need to leave attached for the limiter to be active, or will it allow me to reprogram the ECU and remove the device with the changes still being active when the device is removed?

 

Also, where’s the powerband on the 2000 5.3? He has a habit of bringing things to redline (he’s blown motors in two different vehicles doing this) so I’d really prefer to limit him from ever getting to that point. I’m looking at a tq/hp curve for an ‘03 5.3 and it looks like tq peaks at around 4000rpms, and hp delivery is fairly linear, hitting about 250hp in the same area. That seems like it should be more than enough for him. I hit a lot less than that in my 92 w/ a 5.7 and it’s always been more than enough for what it needs - never had to go over 4000-4200 for anything.

[KenMathisHD]

With HP Tuners, am I understanding you correctly in that each different ECU you use it for is a new license? Or is it a license for a specific generation and/or make?

[CamGTP]

If the engine has oil in it, you won't blow it up. The shift will happen before it ever tags the rpm limiter set from the factory. He'd have to be doing something completely stupid to grenade the engine.

 

Yes, the MPVI2 is the thing you need. It's that cost plus the credits.

 

Each computer costs a one time credit fee. Once you license it, you never need to pay again for that VIN/Operating system. You just flashing the computer with new changes, the MPVI2 does not have to stay in the truck.

[KenMathisHD]

Got it. Does HP Tuners have some sort of walkthrough/guide for their program that comes with the hardware? Or is there a better thread/tutorial for figuring out what does what and why? Some people have mentioned the DVD's from Greg Banish are great for this, but they're almost as much as the MPVI2 and the license for the truck.

[CamGTP]

Greg Banish has his Engine Management Advanced Tuning book for like $20-25 I think. It's a very good read just to help you understand what is going on. It's really not a book that goes through a complete tuning process but it helps you understand how certain things function and work together.

 

I bought his DVD many years ago and while it has good information in it, I ended up finding the same stuff on forums or just through my own clowning around using it.

 

Now most things can be found on forums or watching youtube video's that a few guys are posting a lot of content out. Sometimes it's just tough to know if what someone is telling you is the right way to do it if you haven't even really got a grasp on it yet. I'm sure if you searched for simple things like gear ratio change, speed limiter change, disabling trouble codes etc etc, those would come up in short youtube video's to help you see how things are done.

 

Luckily the P01 computer in that 2000 Silverado is the easiest to learn with as far as V8 computers go. There are way less tables inside it compared to a GMT-900 truck and a K2XX truck which is the most advanced out there right now.

[KenMathisHD]

Awesome, thank you GTP for the info! I'll grab that book and see what I can figure out from it.