Top Speed R5 with 380 and 430 HP

[Ytmsn]

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[slideruleracer]

(sorry, double post)

[slideruleracer]

Aren't the ECMs proprietary though? Or are they GM parts as well?

My guess is that Volvo is either using Mefi-6 (which is technically a gm ecu) or the standard ecm from GM. If it's the standard ecm, you could tune it yourself pretty easily. The tuning file might be propietary, but there is more shared knowledge in web on tuning ls/lt motors than any other engine platform in history, so it wouldn't be too hard to pickup a base tune and go from there. The mefi-6 is a different story as there are not many tool options to change tune files.

[Tuscany]

Old story Slide..I ordered it as a 380. It was one of the very first 6.2s installed. Engine tag said 430, block mounted emission sticker said 320k/430. VP USA said it was a 430. Engine download sticker says 380. Propped with a F5.
Who knows, but my guess is the download tag must be correct, but it does redline way too easy.

Also, the ECU is locked.

[slideruleracer]

Old story Slide..I ordered it as a 380. It was one of the very first 6.2s installed. Engine tag said 430, block mounted emission sticker said 320k/430. VP USA said it was a 430. Engine download sticker says 380. Propped with a F5.
Who knows, but my guess is the download tag must be correct, but it does redline way too easy.

Also, the ECU is locked.

Yes, I remember. What I was wondering is what physical ecu Volvo is putting on the new Gen V motors. Is it the Mefi-6 or something else?

[Big Block Power]

Old story Slide..I ordered it as a 380. It was one of the very first 6.2s installed. Engine tag said 430, block mounted emission sticker said 320k/430. VP USA said it was a 430. Engine download sticker says 380. Propped with a F5.
Who knows, but my guess is the download tag must be correct, but it does redline way too easy.

Also, the ECU is locked.

T do you know or have the part number off your ECU?

[Tuscany]

Hopefully we are goIng out on the lake tomorrow. The way the weather has been here, wish us luck with that...
I'll get it outside and open the hatch to take some pics.

When I was in Florida this past spring, I asked the salesman at The Boatthouse in Naples. They are a Cobalt dealer. This guy seemed to have every answer to my questions on my the tip of his tongue, and seemed to know his .

I asked him the difference, and he told me it was strictly programming. He said obviously flashing a 430 program into a 380 was a simple download, but good luck unlocking the ECM or getting the program from VP. They are selling programming for 10k, no one will just give that away.

I wonder just how Cobalt does this at the factory? I would guess that they don't have instant access to the programs and simply flashing the ECM, and must hook up to VP's own download site, with a serial number.
Then again, maybe they can just flash away with whatever...

[BobRae99]

Hopefully we are goIng out on the lake tomorrow. The way the weather has been here, wish us luck with that...
I'll get it outside and open the hatch to take some pics.

When I was in Florida this past spring, I asked the salesman at The Boatthouse in Naples. They are a Cobalt dealer. This guy seemed to have every answer to my questions on my the tip of his tongue, and seemed to know his .

I asked him the difference, and he told me it was strictly programming. He said obviously flashing a 430 program into a 380 was a simple download, but good luck unlocking the ECM or getting the program from VP. They are selling programming for 10k, no one will just give that away.

I wonder just how Cobalt does this at the factory? I would guess that they don't have instant access to the programs and simply flashing the ECM, and must hook up to VP's own download site, with a serial number.
Then again, maybe they can just flash away with whatever...

Doesn’t Cobalt just order the propulsion package from Volvo Penta and install it? Why would they need to flash anything?

[slideruleracer]

Well, most ECMs can be wiped out and a new program installed even if the existing tune binary is 'locked'. And there are and least a handful of specialists out there that reprogram mefi controllers for the aftermarket. If it's a mefi controller, I'd reach out to one of them and see what they say (if you have a 380).

[Tuscany]

The next issue would be to find someone who will have a tune to upload. I’m sure VP won’t be offering it without a hefty check.
For diesel trucks, there are a lot of custom tuners to choose from. I’m not sure how much money is in boat calibrations. I would love to play with different tuning because its fun to do, but I doubt there is anything available on the market.

[slideruleracer]

There's nothing special about the motor, though. Go on efi live forums or hp tuner forums - you'll see that tunes and information for tunes on these gen v motors is extremely abundant. Any ls/lt ecm tuner that has mefi tools could easily put a good tune in a new blank ecm for probably < $1000.

[Tuscany]

Agreed. The engine and hardware should be similar to my wife’s 6.2 Denali engine. My problem is that I’m unfamiliar with this because I’ve always been into diesel tuning. I’m no expert, but I used to buy a load of tunes for my old trucks.. I’ve never spent time with gasoline engine tuning. I always thought there was very little bang for the buck. I’m thinking the same here.. but if someone could make a 100 horses, my attention could be got...

So much more available for the 502. I wish Merc would wake the hell up and modernize the 502.

[cmattj]

I had the opportunity to chat with a friend of mine today who was a GM field engineer with Cadillac and Does tuning on the side. I wish he responded to my email as I had to take some notes. So Il do my best to give you some info that most of you already had a hint off and knew.

Yes…

GM is partners with Volvo for marinized engine supply as the 6.2L EVC platform , that has been around since 2006 and has overtaken the limited supply of the 6.0Ltr.

And the development of marinization software can make the 6.2VVT platform limit safely without reversion issues and keep the emissions correct, and extend the timing controls and fuel delivery in full throttle positions to increase the power rating while keeping similar rev limit settings.

He feels they simply limit the engine VVT and Total advanced timing with the other ECU and fuel pressure sensors to hold the 380hp and still remain emissions compliant. These systems are based on throttle position input throughout the range.

The Up-charge in cost he said was simple.

Since Volvo assumes the end user agreement with GM they build the cost in as future warranty issues can be prevalent with higher power version so that will offset warranty penetration costs going forward.

His opinion…
It would be worth buying the Volvo Ecu and needed components as their programs are geared toward the environment they were intended to operate.

Now my Opinion.

It’s Scary to think that technology has achieved this level. The 6.0 430hp version 2016 and older are the last of hot rod sounding small blocks... different cam… cylinder heads and a lumpy idle that let you know you had more hp. ?
Just think for $3,000 investment you could add 50hp and wipe the hour meter to zero. Eeeeek…You would scan it and it would show 430hp version. And your resale value just went up.. !!

This will catch on soon I imagine with all Boat MFG rigging boats with the Volvo 6.2 EVC package, and for anyone buying a Used 6.2L 430hp boat in the future. Better scan the ECU for installation date of the ecu, along with hours...

[BobRae99]

His opinion…
It would be worth buying the Volvo Ecu and needed components as their programs are geared toward the environment they were intended to operate.


This will catch on soon I imagine with all Boat MFG rigging boats with the Volvo 6.2 EVC package, and for anyone buying a Used 6.2L 430hp boat in the future. Better scan the ECU for installation date of the ecu, along with hours...

What I don't understand is who will sell you an ECU for a 430HP motor to install in your 380HP motor? Do Volvo Penta dealers really do this and undercut themselves from selling a more costly power package from the get-go? I wish someone would try this and let us all know, because as I look forward to an R3 model in a couple of years, I could save quite a bit if I buy a VP V8/300 and then just pay a few thousand and buy an ECU that ups HP to 350.

[Tuscany]

10K for 50 horses? From 51-53 all the way to 54-56 GPS?
As I sat with friends on our docked boat yesterday at a nice restaurant on the Erie Canal, a beautiful Cigarette “Top Gun” cruised by slowly, idling and sounding like the monster it is.. kind of a reality check...

at the same time, saw that his 38’ boat didn’t have the ability to have friends sitting comfortably around a nice table enjoying the evening..