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Thread: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

  1. #1
    RIP EagleMark's Avatar
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    GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    Anyone know of a GM distributor with a can sensor built in other then the one on a 4.9L Cadillac?

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    Super Moderator dave w's Avatar
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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    The Vortec engines 1996 up have cam position sensors.

    dave w

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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    They look pretty cool too! Wonder why guys are useing the Caddilac ones for conversions? They are bulky old school coil in cap...

    1990 Chevy Suburban 5.7L Auto ECM 1227747 $42!
    1998 Chevy Silverado 5.7L Vortec 0411 Swap to RoadRunner!
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    Super Moderator dave w's Avatar
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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    The Vortec cam position sensor is 185 / 175 split. Maybe that's why?

    For sure the Vortec software is ultra expensive ... so I'm thinking the $$$ for software are the reason not use Vortec stuff.

    dave w

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    Super Moderator Six_Shooter's Avatar
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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    Doesn't the Caddy dizzy also have a reluctor for the ignition as well?
    The man who says something is impossible, is usually interrupted by the man doing it.

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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    Doesn't the Caddy dizzy also have a reluctor for the ignition as well?
    Yes. The Vortec piece is not a distributor in the traditional sense. There is no crank sensor built in so there's no way to trigger spark. I don't trust it for reliability, either. I've seen plenty of oil leaks, cracked cap retaining ears, and rotor attaching pads that are loose on the shaft to decide the plastic part just isn't worth using. I have a pile of 'em here at the house that were removed from buses in our fleet.

    Early V6 Buicks with SFI used a cam sensor in the distributor. Certain S10 trucks with 2.5L engines also had a hall effect sensor added to the distributor which could be used as a cam sensor.

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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    I've only worked on one Vortec engine, friend asked if I could make it run right? He had a shop replace some gaskets and they dropped the distributor in one gear off, so I tryed to turn distributor only to find you cant! They are set one way. So I pulled it and moved it back a tooth and it ran fine!

    Now that you say there is no crank sensor in it explains why...

    I was looking for one that runs as a distributor but also had cam sensor like the Caddy.

    1990 Chevy Suburban 5.7L Auto ECM 1227747 $42!
    1998 Chevy Silverado 5.7L Vortec 0411 Swap to RoadRunner!
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    Super Moderator Six_Shooter's Avatar
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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    I don't know how easy it would be in your application, but a few years ago I added an MSD cam sensor to a Zetec I4 by drilling into a spot on the cam, adding a magnet, and drilling through the head to add the sensor. Something similar could be don ein a cam in block engine, using the timing gear, or maybe even in a similar way that the GM genIII 60 degree V6 is, where the front of the block is drilled, and pointed straight down at the cam.
    The man who says something is impossible, is usually interrupted by the man doing it.

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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    Switch to N* DIS and use a traditional distributor as a cam sensor.

    Use the 96+ Vortec / LT1 timing cover, balancer, crank sensor, and reluctor wheel then install the Vortec "distributor" / cam sensor.

    Use the space above the reluctor in the distributor to add a single tooth for a Hall effect switch.

    Do as Six_shooter recommended and install a cam sensor on the cam gear.

    There were a few of us that spent many hours working out options for cam + crank sensor without major surgery. Caddy 4.5 / 4.9 was the only V8 based solution we came up with.

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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    Well I got my six cylinder worked out for DIS by buying a distributor from a 2006 Jeep. It looks like a distibutor bottom but only has a cam sensor on top.

    Not sure what I am going to do with the IH motor. I think I will just take a step back and run TBI with a 16197427 ECM to take advantage of a better ECM and build a HyBrid distributor for it.
    viewtopic.php?f=9&t=25

    1990 Chevy Suburban 5.7L Auto ECM 1227747 $42!
    1998 Chevy Silverado 5.7L Vortec 0411 Swap to RoadRunner!
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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    SEFI does not provide great gains. There are advantages when trying to make big power per liter displacement but for mild stuff not so much. But pfi OTOH does have advantages over TBI because it eliminates many mixture distribution issues. Seems like most of the necessary bits to run 7427 in pfi mode with a V8 have been worked out so maybe a set of injector bungs and a couple of fuel rails adapted from another engine would be good options?

    What would be nice would be individual spark timing trim. After looking over the J&S stuff it seems like they're using old school tech with a little common sense to detect specific cylinders having trouble. That would be a great advantage over one size fits all knock retard.

    Have you seen this thread? It's inspiring.

    The picture link in the thread isn't valid but here's one to study.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    Oh shit! Don't give me any ideas...

    1990 Chevy Suburban 5.7L Auto ECM 1227747 $42!
    1998 Chevy Silverado 5.7L Vortec 0411 Swap to RoadRunner!
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  13. #13
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    Re: GM Distributor with Cam sensor

    Ok guys, Im with Eagle on that. And I don't think I like this site anymore!!!! Oh wait that was boss lady saying that!

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    Quote Originally Posted by EagleMark View Post
    Well I got my six cylinder worked out for DIS by buying a distributor from a 2006 Jeep. It looks like a distibutor bottom but only has a cam sensor on top.

    Not sure what I am going to do with the IH motor. I think I will just take a step back and run TBI with a 16197427 ECM to take advantage of a better ECM and build a HyBrid distributor for it.
    viewtopic.php?f=9&t=25
    Old topic, but I'm extremely curious if all you needed was the jeep distributor to make dis possible, or do you still need a crank sensor too?
    I'm asking because I have an old 60° v6 iron heads that I would like to run dis, but it has no factory provisions. (Currently Stock fiero gt motor running 7730 w/dizzy)

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    What about building a 7 notch wheel for the front of the crank?

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