Torqhead setup - is it worth it?

I've been happy for the most part at how the old Opti and Ignition have performed over the years on the LT1/L99 setup. I was recently looking at the setup from Torqhead.... https://www.torqhead.com/index.html and also a series of Video's on the Swap this guy did..... While it seems like...

www.impalassforum.com

It's a cool setup but not one I would do as I don't plan on racing or really ever having much more than a stock engine. The Opti gets a lot of **** even though many people never have an issue with it.

 

Not running the torque head, but I am running that PCM and a LS Coil on Plug Set up. I will agree with Sinister, I didn't do it because I felt the Opti wasn't up to snuff. I did it because I could. Tuning it is much faster and easier to do myself now. Standard bolt on engine upgrades or even a mild stroker build the stock PCM and Opti is still more than up to the task.

The cool factor at car shows of watching everybody double take on the "LS" engine swap is pretty cool. It's got 8 coils on top but wait that's not an LS Intake.

Everything I've read on the torque head kit sounds like the build quality is great and it's a very simple and straight forward install. I used the EFI Connection 24X kit, and then repinned and modified my existing harness which was not so straightforward and simple.

-Brian

 

Not running the torque head, but I am running that PCM and a LS Coil on Plug Set up. I will agree with Sinister, I didn't do it because I felt the Opti wasn't up to snuff. I did it because I could. Tuning it is much faster and easier to do myself now. Standard bolt on engine upgrades or even a mild stroker build the stock PCM and Opti is still more than up to the task.
…
Everything I've read on the torque head kit sounds like the build quality is great and it's a very simple and straight forward install. I used the EFI Connection 24X kit, and then repinned and modified my existing harness which was not so straightforward and simple.

Regardless of how the 0411 pcm gets utilized, upgrading any LT1 engine to use an 0411 pcm is always a good idea. How TorqHead adapts the 0411 pcm to accept LT1 connectors is exceedingly clever and very impressive.

 

I looked at Torqhead and EFI Connection. I plan on going Torqhead because of ease of installation. But that's me since electric is not my strong suite. Know enough to get myself in trouble.

 

I just installed my Torqhead 24X, (but do to waiting for parts for my new supercharger kit), the car is not yet running yet. I am very impressed with the quality and pure elegance of the Torqhead solution.
I wish I hadn’t just bought a new Optispark, coil, plug wires, and knock sensors before I decided to switch to the Torqhead, but I couldn’t be happier with the decision to go Torqhead. The EFI Connection kit seemed great too, but the do it yourself wiring was not for me!

 

Please give an update when you get the engine installed and running. I have one more car to sell and hope to be ordering the Torqhead setup.in the near future

 

I will never understand why people do this.

The opti works fine. If you want coil-on-plug ignition that badly, just save your money and do an LS swap.

 

I will never understand why people do this. The opti works fine.

If you want coil-on-plug ignition that badly, just save your money and do an LS swap.

People who have had multiple opti failures will disagree with you; and there's nothing you can say or show them that will convince them otherwise.

And the TorqHead is an excellent alternative to going with a weak-ish, junkyard LS setup.....much cleaner, much more reliable and more efficient.

That said, I went with the TorqHead primarily to rev my solid-roller setup to 7500 RPMs. Can't do that with the LT1/4 PCM.

Finally, when I did go to the TorqHead, I picked-up HP and TQ throughout the entire power curve. Not by much....not enough to say that more power justifies the install. But enough to let me know that the engine was operating more efficiently.

I wouldn't bother on a bolt-on engine, though......unless you're a person with opti-fatigue.

KW

 

I did it because I wanted to. Because I wanted LS level tuning capabilities without having to redo the T56 swap, my Clear Image long tubes, or any of the other pile of LT specific mods. I also discovered the LS computers ability to increase dwell time made a huge improvement in the low RPM range of my 355. The opti doesn't have this adjustment. For $1200 dollars I got this done in a weekend. No way that's gonna get me an LS swap.

-Brian

 

$1200 dollars I got this done in a weekend. No way that's gonna get me an LS swap.

Did they drop the price? I remembered the Torqhead setup being well over $2000 at one point.

As far as the cost of an LS swap... We are talking about an enormous price range. Engines cost a flat fee of $199 at the LKQ here in town. If you are patient, and you have the spare time, you can find a nice low mile 5.3 or 6.0 very easily. If you do the swap yourself, and keep your existing trans, we are talking about a very small amount of money. With that said, you could also spend $20k+ on a crate motor with warranty, etc. I don't mean to lecture anybody, I'm just rambling. I'm sure you already know this stuff. For the record, I'm a bit of an LT die-hard, so I want to be clear that I'm not usually the guy that preaches LS.

I also understand not wanting to lose the progress you've made with previous mods. I keep telling people I can't do an LS swap because I would have to get rid of my Tri-Y's. 😂

 

Even if Kalephonya's Air Research Board is not willing - or able - to acknowledge it, the 12200411 pcm is superior to the 16181333 in every way that matters, not just to anyone who enthusiastically drives an LT1 car for pleasure, but to anyone who cares to measure any aspect of powertrain management or performance.
To make a long story short:
A) 12200411 has abilities 16181333 will never be able to have.
B) 12200411 does what the 16181333 does, but better in every way.

With or without an Aussie opsys, upgrading from 16181333 to 12200411 is well worth it.

 

For a normally aspirated cars that don't spin over 7200rpm, a well tuned LT1 computer will get you as much as you're going to get. AFR and timing can be sufficiently done by either PCM. $1600 can buy a lot of good used LT1 parts nowadays, or even an LE2 heads/cam setup. If you're going forced induction or spinning over 7200rpm, I would definitely switch over to the newer engine computers.

 

Matt - I pieced together the EFI 24x kit using JY coils, a used Silverado harness, and doing all the wire harness mods myself. If wiring isn't your thing the torque head unit very nicely removes all that extra work.

Also my $1200 included buying HP tuners and getting it tuned. If ever do a second car I think I can get that price down to the $600-800 range.

-Brian

 

Caddylack, I done a lot of research on LT1 vs LS1. I have a good running LT1, in the 19 yrs I owned LT1 cars, only had 2 opti failures, both from racing. I just want to keep my LT1 and have better programming since there are a few shops in my area that are pretty good doing LSX programming

 

The tuning aspect makes sense, and again, I totally understand not wanting to ditch a strong LT1.

It's only when people blame the opti that I start auditing peoples' logic.

 

Moderator comment here: stay away from offenses and retorts. Technical disagreements and discussions are fine, but personal disagreements are not.

 

From having 2 LT1 cars, I can say the Torqhead is an awesome setup. You can't get quality GM parts anymore let alone the Mitsubishi sensor. I had to go with a cardone Opti and it brand new failed less than 300 miles on my rebuilt caprice build. Went 24x and never had an issue since. On my camaro it's not cost effective to try and come up with all of the parts needed to swap it to an LS motor, and the sheer fact that I don't want to. I like my build and stand behind it when it takes down LS cars. The base tune is garbage from them but a few minutes on HP Tuners and I had it going.

 

I can say the Torqhead is an awesome setup.

That part I wouldn't dispute.

You can't get quality GM parts anymore let alone the Mitsubishi sensor.

I personally have 3 Mitsubishi sensors, and I bet you could find yourself one at your local junkyard.

I had to go with a cardone Opti and it brand new failed less than 300 miles on my rebuilt caprice build.

Did you take the time to disassemble it and prepare it correctly before installation? It doesn't seem coincidental to me that the people who are religious about this process do not complain of the opti issues that many others do.

On my camaro it's not cost effective to try and come up with all of the parts needed to swap it to an LS motor

Why not? An f-body is likely one of the easier LS swaps out there.

 

Point taken, except I believe you are mistaken about needing an LS trans. Unless there is something special about f-bodies that I don't know. Our cars don't require a trans swap.

 

The cast bell housing doesn't line up I thought? Since they use a 7 bolt pattern and not the old school 6 bolt. It's been awhile but I can;t recall if there compatibility issues on the electronics internally. I was originally a 6 speed car and they does require bellhousing and input shaft changes, again not the end of the world but it is work and $$. I don't dislike the Opti, my stock engine had the original one in my 96 camaro and it never let me down. It's just the junk aftermarket gave them a bad name. And being someone who likes full control over their own vehicle, 20 second PCM flashes vs 15-20 minutes with the CATS software was a nice plus.

 

12200411 pcm can operate our 4L60E, whether the 0411 operates the LT1 with an L31 opsys (1 coil) or an LS1 opsys (8 coils).
Obviously the TorqHead conversion is easier, but either way, it can operate our 4L60Es with no issues.
(Regarding hardware issues, see next post.)

As for the Mitsubishi optical sensor, I've read that they may also be found in Nissan Xterra / Pathfinder V6s, as well as Dodge Stealths / Mistubishi 3000GTs.

 

Copy and pasted from the LS swap sticky:

You can also keep the LT1 4L60E if you feel so inclined. You will need a flexplate spacer (GM Part Number 12563532) and 6 bolts (GM Part Number 12563533). If you use the dished flexplate from a 4.8/5.3, you’ll have to put the assembly together as such: Crank, Flexplate, Spacer; if you use the flat flexplate from the 6.0L, it’ll go together like this: Crank, spacer, flexplate. If you have a Pre-1996 (1995-earlier) 4L60E transmission, you will also need to make some changes to the wiring harness inside the transmission to keep from throwing codes. If you’ve already put on a set of extended rear control arms, you should be fine with the stock driveshaft. Always check your pinion angle before you decide to deem it roadworthy.

 

Moderator comment: KW and Caddylack, you guys are free to disagree but pissing on each other is not okay. There is a diversity of opinion and experiences (and prices) and that is fine. This is not about winning. Write your posts and let the reader decide.

 

Recently installed Torqhead system. Having trouble with a "high" idle after start up and after bringing AC on line. Will idle high for a few seconds and then settle back to normal idle. Those instances not so bad. Problem, sometimes on start will go to a "very" high idle, like 2000rpm, for not 10 seconds but 5-7 and then will get a CEL. Code is P0507 idle air control system RPM higher than expected. Can always reset the CEL. Has anyone had this problem? Was it adjustable with tuning. Sent msg to Torqhead. No answer on this yet.

 

Can you email me the tune? k20chevy@gmail.com

I had the same issue because of a junk base tune. My car wanted to live at 2000rpm at base idle until I fixed the IAC mapping. Have you logged IAC counts to see where it's at? The other possibility is the throttle blade could be physically opened too far, but this should show with extremely low IAC counts during logging.

 

Remove your throttle body and open up the IAC valve.

It might be filled with mung.

 

Yup, will give that a look, Thanks.