Hks V-cam With Power Fc On R34 Gtr

[MLCrisis]

Hi, guys. I have recently had an R34 N1 motor fitted to my R34 GTR V Spec II, along with Garret -5 turbos and a few other bits and bobs. The motor came from Japan with an HKS V-Cam system fitted. The car is running a Power FC with hand controller.

We are having problems setting the V-Cam up, as it is not controlling through the rev range. It starts to make a change and then just goes to the end of the scale. The workshop have tried everything and are scratching their heads. They have demonstrated the potential with runs with full retard and full advance, but for some reason it won't follow the map entered.

I know nothing of the details, but I wondered if the Valcon controller is looking for a feedback signal that the Power FC is not providing. Maybe? One question the workshop are looking to answer is whether the Valcon output is in the 0 to 5 volt range or 0-12 volt. (I probably got that wrong - this is beyond my limited knowledge! ).

We have the English translations of the installation and set up manuals, which are not exactly straightforward or unambiguous. Can anyone point us at someone who has experience of these things, or specifically of running the V-Cam with a Power FC. The workshop really need to talk to someone about it. They have already been on the phone to Abbey Motorsport in the UK quite extensively, but the Abbey guys have not set one up with a Power FC before. A contact in Japan would probably be best.

When all is said and done, the Valcon is supposed to be just a cam controller and should work with any brand computer - in theory.

Any and all thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[9krpm]

Wow this should be very interesting to see when everything work!

What are the Alcon inputs? RPM, TPS, MAP/MAF?

Do you have the manual for us to explore?

[MLCrisis]

Manuals attached.

22007_AN001002_VALCON_RB_V60210.pdf

22007_AN002AN003_VCAM_S1_RB.pdf

[paulr33]

the powerfc will run the same as the stock ecu, so as a process of elimination you could try stock ecu perhaps?

even just for a quick baby run on the dyno? not full load etc - this would give you to hints if the PFC is at fault or the vcam system etc

[paulr33]

and yeah as RPM9k said, what inputs does the Vcam system need

assumption would be TPS, RPM and AFM - and these would be 5v sensors

[9krpm]

I just read the pdf's and noticed the part where it says "Rotate the cam until it touches the piston" lol

It doesn't look like the controller receive anything from the power fc or ecu output.

Just a stab in dark, have you try another CAS?

Interestingly the controller receives signal from MAF sensor. Does this mean it may not work properly on a car with MAP sensor?

[9krpm]

My bad, the orange/white wire on harness 3 receives some signal from the ecu harness.

I have not got a manual with me. Does anyone have one handy and let us know what is the function of this pin?

[Adriano]

Is it one cam or both? Im very jealous

[MLCrisis]

Your input is much appreciated guys. I am checking a few things with the workshop, but it seems that they have checked the wiring is connected correctly for an R34 and they have hooked up meters to read the signals in real time.

I have suggested they try the stock ECU again (so I will have to pull that out of my shed!).

Thanks again.

[MLCrisis]

It seems I have been barking up the wrong tree. The workshop have demonstrated that the signals "in" are all functioning. They have also demonstrated that the Valcon controller is sending an output signal, but that output signal is not the one, or value, we want, when we want it. So it seems the problem is in getting the controller to follow the map that has been entered. Hence, the desire to speak to someone who knows the Valcon controller, when programming it without an F Con Pro.

They have also checked the solenoid on the cam mechanism, and that is OK.

Adriano - the V-Cam system is on the intake cam only, as the exhaust cam is already controlled by the ECU from factory.

Cheers.

[Crans]

I am guessing this system is essentially a copy of the stock rb25 vtc setup??

If so could you not just test it with a vtc controller? or simply feed it voltage manually to ensure its not a mechanical problem?

[MLCrisis]

I am guessing this system is essentially a copy of the stock rb25 vtc setup??

If so could you not just test it with a vtc controller? or simply feed it voltage manually to ensure its not a mechanical problem?

This check was one of the first done, so it ain't a mechanical problem. So one option is to go for another controller - and if I am to do that I might as well swap out the Power FC for a Haltech, which would include all of the cam control direct. That is an expensive option, but is certainly a way to go. To avoid unnecessary expense, we want to understand why the HKS Valcon is not doing what it should do, when all inputs and outputs appear to working.

[elrodeo666]

MLCRrisis...

Mate check your pm. sent you some info

[Adriano]

Intake only, hte ecu doesn't do anything with the exhaust cam, but i think there was a v-cam2 which did both

[rtune]

My N1 with 2530s has just had v-cam added, although I'm using the f-con cpu not pfc.

I'll PM the tuner I used, maybe he has a clue. I do know it is

run by oil pressure and the better the oil pressure the faster it reacts. That is all I know though,

but maybe your tuner can ask mine, if they help each other out like that.

[h6s_gtr]

you got this sorted yet ? .. been running v-cam step 2 on a hks hokkaido built 2.8 for over 12 months now in me 32, ditched all the v-cam software including the controller and runs sweet as with a custom ecu , brings a t51r on at 4100 rpm, turn the v-cam of and it only comes on at 5500 , can steer you in the right direction if your getting messed around by hks dealers /tuners etc etc that dont know what there doing .

[Gtir-keiron]

taking a wild guess the above posted is brad and if so he knows what hes doing.

Also his tunner if this is brad above is also named brad and im sure he knows what hes doing also.

Talk to brad

too many brads.

[rob82]

Things to check -

Apply direct power to the solenoid and make sure you can hear the engine change note. If you can get data out of the valcon see if you can see how much cam advance you can get you should be able to get to the maximum advance even at idle. The output from the valcon will most likely be a saturated driver so you should have 12v one side of the solenoid and the gnd channel controlled by the valcon. More than likely the maximum duty wont be 100% but more likely 55-65% and the minimum duty 45-35% when its controlling the cam. I would command the maximum cam advance and then scope the output and see if the controller maxes out at say 55-65% if it is then the problem is more than likely mechanical as it cant get the cam to its maximum advance.

Its not common from the numerous subarus I've tuned that cam phasors are starting to fail and not consistantly delivery the commanded cam advance.

[h6s_gtr]

hks not silly , they have made a very simple gadget hard to use for a reason ... cose they want the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for any tuning/diagnosis/problems... i had a problem on my controller with one of the scroll buttons not responding at all , i sent dozens of emails direct to hks through hks hokkaido and x-speed to try and buy a new controller and basically they told me each system is a one off build you cannot buy just a controller .. you have to buy a whole new system (i have the emails to prove it ) , $12500 please ..

i told them to go f##k themselves ..

ditch the entire tuning side of the system it's crap , use a m800.

[Swiper the Fox]

taking a wild guess the above posted is brad and if so he knows what hes doing.

Also his tunner if this is brad above is also named brad and im sure he knows what hes doing also.

Talk to brad

too many brads.

thats exactly what i thought when i read the post too.

welcome to the forums Brad.