I tried the search function again, but could not find what I was looking for. And I'll apologize now for the length of this post.

I recently purchsed a CHRFAB Holley 950 Commander "Pro" engine management system for my Northstar swap (thanks Daviero!). Reading through the (VERY LARGE) Holley instruction manual has raised a couple questions. First off, let me say that I admire the way Holley prepared the manual. It walks you through the (many) steps in a logical and uncomplicated sequence. Second, my ignorance will now be made visible to y'all.

My first question: Part of the software set-up requires that I enter the type of ignition I have, which is stock Northstar. It asks me to select ignition type --
(quote) Ignition Type – See (Appendix 1—Hardware Settings) FOR DETAILED INFORMATION if you are not absolutely sure what type of ignition you have. If you have a computer-controlled (has NO mechanical or vacuum advance) GM HEI (1981 and up), select “GM HEI”. If you have a Ford TFI, select “Ford TFI”. If you have a Hall effect sensor connected, select “Hall Effect”. If you are connected to a magnetic pickup, select “Inductive Pickup”. If you are not using timing control and DO NOT have a Capacitive Discharge ignition system, select “Fuel Only (coil-)”. NEVER connect the yellow wire to the coil on a Capacitive Discharge ignition system such as an MSD. This will destroy the ECU. (end quote)

Appendix 1 was no help to me. So, does the Northstar use "GM HEI" or "hall Effect" or "Inductive Pickup"? I suspect it's inductive pickup, but I've been wrong before ... many times. "I don't know anything, AND I can prove it!"

My second question: Holley provides 24 (!!!) different base fuel maps for Multi-Port fuel injection systems. One selects a map closest to their engine's equipment, then proceeds to fine-tune from there. But which one do I start with? I suspect it's the "Mpi1" map, but if any of you have had good luck starting from another fuel map, I'm eager to hear your story.

I'm in no hurry here. I'll be tearing the engine down soon. Just wanted a little headstart on my bookwork.

TIA, Ken

[This message has been edited by WAWUZAT (edited 02-11-2007).]

Ken, do a search on the Ottawa (Ontario) Fiero club website for a thread authored by Aaron88. He has alot of information there which I found extremely useful. Actually here is the address: http://www.fierodrivers.com...f14e5cd1&topic=765.0
Also there are some fuel maps buried in this thread somewhere that I had saved for reference: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...2/HTML/054893-9.html
As I remember from Aaron's thread, he played lots with the maps and was looking at incoperating the knock sensor which the Holley does not do.
Dave.

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Daviero - 88 N* GT

David - Thanks for the links. I've been reading about 15 pages of Aaron's installation. Interesting stuff, but none of the images will open in my browser ... including the maps. I do recall reading a good part of that thread a year or two ago. When I have more time tomorrow, I think I'll register on that forum and send Aaron a request for his baseline data.

you got to join the forum to see the maps and other stuff
on that forum

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Question wonder and be wierd
are you kind?

If you got the Holly from Chrf you won't need to "set" any of those setting. they will already be set for you by CHRF. when you load up the software on the computer the first time that will all be taken care of for you. Also the solftware they supply (on disk) has a bunch of other engines (LS1 etc) on the same disk, but one of the maps is for the Northstar and will get you started right out of the box.
The challenge will start after you get it running, not before

Russ544

quote Originally posted by Russ544: If you got the Holly from Chrf you won't need to "set" any of those setting. they will already be set for you by CHRF. when you load up the software on the computer the first time that will all be taken care of for you. Also the solftware they supply (on disk) has a bunch of other engines (LS1 etc) on the same disk, but one of the maps is for the Northstar and will get you started right out of the box. The challenge will start after you get it running, not before Russ544

Well, that makes sense. I do understand that the fine-tuning can be a long and tedious task, though the rewards should be well worth the effort. Again, the Holley manual appears to do a great job of walking you through the process in a logical step-by-step manner. So, I don't have to tell the Holley ECM what type of ignition system I'm running? Does that mean the appropriate button will have already been selected when I open up that initial window on my laptop? Just for fun, what type ignition does the Northstar employ? Is it inductive pick-up using the dual crank sensors?

Thanks again, Ken

quote Originally posted by WAWUZAT: Well, that makes sense. I do understand that the fine-tuning can be a long and tedious task, though the rewards should be well worth the effort. Again, the Holley manual appears to do a great job of walking you through the process in a logical step-by-step manner. So, I don't have to tell the Holley ECM what type of ignition system I'm running? Does that mean the appropriate button will have already been selected when I open up that initial window on my laptop? Just for fun, what type ignition does the Northstar employ? Is it inductive pick-up using the dual crank sensors? Thanks again, Ken

Yes the appropriate button will already be set when you open the software for the first time. also be SURE to save an extra copy of the map on your laptop so you can always go back to it. once you change the map it would be easy to lose the original base map in the shuffle. I actually couldn't tell you what the N* ignition system is called, as I never needed to know
I don't know if this will help you at all, but perhaps you can glean a bit of info from my ramblings during my own tuning phase. especially about 2/3 the way down this page:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/054893-10.html

be patient and good luck with it.

Russ

quote Originally posted by Russ544: Yes the appropriate button will already be set when you open the software for the first time. also be SURE to save an extra copy of the map on your laptop so you can always go back to it. once you change the map it would be easy to lose the original base map in the shuffle. I actually couldn't tell you what the N* ignition system is called, as I never needed to know

Thanks, Russ. I see you eventually decided to dump the Commander in favor of a unit from Ryan Hess. I'm hoping the idle or bucking issue may be less of a problem since I'm using the 4T80E transaxle (automatic in lieu of manual). Also, you do very nice work. Your dashboard is what I had envisioned for my car (GT40 rebody), but I'm curious why you didn't also get an aftermarket speedo & tach. I'm planning on all new gauges, and while my layout will be basically like yours, I doubt it will turn out as nice. But I have a fair amount of patience with fabricating things, and should turn out OK. Another thanks for the tip on cooling the Holley ECM.

BTW, here's a pic of my car ... http://www.fieropride.com/~...ery/FAC2003/DSCN0478

[This message has been edited by WAWUZAT (edited 02-12-2007).]

quote Originally posted by WAWUZAT: Thanks, Russ. I see you eventually decided to dump the Commander in favor of a unit from Ryan Hess. I'm hoping the idle or bucking issue may be less of a problem since I'm using the 4T80E transaxle (automatic in lieu of manual). Also, you do very nice work. Your dashboard is what I had envisioned for my car (GT40 rebody), but I'm curious why you didn't also get an aftermarket speedo & tach. I'm planning on all new gauges, and while my layout will be basically like yours, I doubt it will turn out as nice. But I have a fair amount of patience with fabricating things, and should turn out OK. Another thanks for the tip on cooling the Holley ECM.

Very nice looking car ! I originally planned on a GT40 type rebody also, but the opportunity to do the IMSA came along so I grabbed it.
I used the original Fiero speedo and tach cause awwwwwwwww I'm cheep? ha ha.... that and I like an "almost factory" look.

Russ

quote Originally posted by Russ544:I'm cheep? ha ha.... that and I like an "almost factory" look.

OK, but WHOSE factory? (hee hee) Thanx!

quote Originally posted by ray b: you got to join the forum to see the maps and other stuff on that forum

I finally got around to signing up over there to see the pix. Not much traffic on that website, is there?

BTW, now that I've downloaded Pennock's PIP feature, here's a photo (from 2002 Carlisle MAFOA gathering) of the car in which I'm installing my Northstar & 4T80E ...

[This message has been edited by WAWUZAT (edited 02-18-2007).]