Holden/Buick V6 Ecotec

Holden/Buick V6 Ecotec

The GM/Holden/Buick ECOTEC V6 engine






Haltech ECU Options

ECU Model
Plug In Available
OEM Functions Not Supported
Suitable Installation Type
Support Sequential and/or Direct Fire Ignition
Auto Transmission Control
Platinum Sport GM
Yes  (VN-VP Only)
Not suitable for VR-onwards
Plug In
No
VN-VP
Elite 550
No
Idle Control, A/C, and Serial body control
Piggyback
No
No
Elite 750
No
Idle Control and and Serial body control
Piggyback
Yes
No
Elite 950
No
Idle Control,Sequential Fuel and Serial body control on VR-onwards
Piggyback
No
No
Elite 1000
No
Sequential Fuel and Serial body control on VR-onwards
Standalone
No
Yes
Elite 1500
No
Sequential Fuel and Serial body control on VR-onwards
Standalone
No
Yes
Elite 2000
No
Serial body control on VR-onwards
Standalone
Yes
Yes
Elite 2500
No
Serial body control on VR-onwards
Standalone
Yes
Yes



VN-VP
The Platinum Sport GM is the easy option here as these older generation motors do not have technology present that required a more capable ECU.

VR-Onwards
Elite 2000 or 2500 are the recommended ECU models to use for full engine control.  They both allow sequential control of the fuel,  direct fire ignition should the owner want to remove the DFI module, and they support the stepper motor idle control system.

An Elite 750 can be used if the installation is piggyback with the OEM ECU, where the fuel and ignition control can be taken over by the Elite 750 and all other functions left to the OEM ECU.










General Information

Australian Market

For more common configuration in which to find these engines is in the Holden Commodore VN through to VX.

Cylinders
V6 90 deg
Displacement
3791cc
Firing Order
1,6,5,4,3,2
Cylinder Orientation (from drivers seat)
Left Bank 1,3,5
Right Bank 2,4,6


Differences

VN-VP

These models use a MAP sensor for engine load.  They do not have a MAF or Cam Position Sensor.  They use only 2x injector outputs fired together with a Delco OEM ECU.
These models are compatible with the Haltech Platinum Sport GM plug in ECU. https://www.haltech.com/product/ht-051100-platinum-sport-plug-in-gm/

VR-Onwards

These models use a MAF sensor for engine load.  They have a cam position sensor and use Sequential Injection with a Delphi OEM ECU.













Sensor Information

Crank Sensor

The sensor unit itself contains two sensors, one for the 18x and one for the 3x crank trigger





Haltech does not currently use both crank sensors at the same time. The installer need to select either the 18x (preferred) or the 3x at the time of installation.

PinDescription
A
3x
B
18x
C
Signal Ground
D
12V+





Cam Sensor

Hall Effect type
Not found on early VN-VP models


Pin
Description
A
Signal
B
Signal Ground
C
12V+








Ignition (DFI Module)



Pin
Haltech Connection
A
Ignition Output 1
B
DPO1 - 5V Pullup High State
C
N/C
D
Trigger +
E
To Tacho
F
Home +
G
N/C (To Crank Sensor 18x)
H
N/C (To Crank Sensor 3x)
J
N/C (To Cam Sensor 1x)
K
N/C
L
Trigger Signal Ground
M
To Crank and Cam Sensor Ground
N
To Crank and Cam Sensor Power
P
12V+ Power Source









Throttle Position Sensor



Pin
Description
A
5V+
B
Signal Ground
C
Signal








MAP Sensor

The vehicle comes with a 1-Bar MAP sensor, meaning it reads only atmospheric pressure and not any boost pressure.

Pin
Description
Haltech Connection
A
Signal Ground
Signal Ground (Black/White)
B
Signal
Spare AVI (AVI-9 Yellow)
C
5V+
5V+ (Orange)
Calibration: Use "MAP - GM 1 Bar.cal"










Idle Valve

This engine uses a 4-wire Stepper Motor idle contol system.

Pin
Haltech Connection
A
Stepper 4
B
Stepper 3
C
Stepper 2
D
Stepper 1

See base maps for configuration information








Coolant Temperature Sensor



Uses common EV1 connector
Wiring is not polarity sensitive

Calibration: Use "Temperature - Holden VP V8 Coolant Sensor.cal"
Created for Haltech ECUs using a 1k pullup to 5V







Air Temperature Sensor


Uses Delphi connector that requires the wire to be fed through the connector first, the pin crimped, and then pull back to lock the pin in place
Wiring is not polarity sensitive.

Calibration: Use "Temperature - Holden VP V8 Air Sensor.cal"
Created for Haltech ECUs using a 1k pullup to 5V










OEM ECU Information

VN-VP





VR

VR V6 Auto ECU Wiring Diagram





VS - VX

VS V6 Auto OEM ECU
   


VS V6 Auto ECU Wiring Diagram



VT V6 Auto ECU Wiring Diagram










Unique Information

Ignition System

These engine use a DFI module ignition system.  What makes them unique is that the ignition system will actually still fire a spark to each cylinder without an ECU being present. When an ECU is present it switches to Bypass mode (sends a 5V signal to the Bypass input on the module) where the ECU is then given a crank sensor signal and will send back a timed signal to the module to fire the spark, thereby controlling ignition timing as every other common ECU ignition system works.  The module when not in bypass simply does this by "edge-firing" off the 3x crank signal.  The module also handles all sequencing of the ignition to send it to the correct coil to fire, which means the ECU only sends a "distributor" style signal down a single output wire.  It is why the Ignition Mode should be set to Distributor on a Haltech ECU when running the DFI Module.












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