bypassing the computer

**t0astm0nkey** · 08-19-2008, 03:14 PM

I met a guy a few days ago willing to sell me his ls1 from his 04 gto which was in an accident, the car runs fine, its just deformed now, but he told me that the computer was already sold... anyways, i was wondering if there is anyway to bypass the computer or anyway to set up the ls1 so it wont need the computer?

p.s. i plan on putting the ls1 into a 1975 Trans Am

**Khaotic** · 08-19-2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by t0astm0nkey

I met a guy a few days ago willing to sell me his ls1 from his 04 gto which was in an accident, the car runs fine, its just deformed now, but he told me that the computer was already sold... anyways, i was wondering if there is anyway to bypass the computer or anyway to set up the ls1 so it wont need the computer?

p.s. i plan on putting the ls1 into a 1975 Trans Am

You need the computer for the cam sensor crank sensor and firing of the injectors no way to get around it.

**Orcus79** · 08-19-2008, 07:02 PM

The other option is to carb it and look for a stand alone swap kit. I believe there are a few companies offering them up.

**Wesman** · 08-19-2008, 07:56 PM

Do you have all the harnesses, or just the engine itself with no wiring??

If you are missing both the computer and the harness, I'd reccommend ordering the complete computer/harness kit from GM. Its a plug and play system, designed specifically for the type of application you have, which is an LS motor in an older vehicle. All you have to do is hook each harness wire to the appropriate sensor (they are marked and color coded) and then find a place to mount the computer, and you have a running, functioning engine.

I believe its between $700 and $800 for the entire kit, which isn't bad considering what you're getting for the money.

**Frost** · 08-20-2008, 05:22 AM

You can get a loaded PCM (computer!) for under $150 (possibly even half that much) if that's all he took...

**2002WS6TransAmT56** · 08-24-2008, 01:15 PM

Go the carbed route, much cheaper and easier to work with. There are a couple companies that make the stand alone harnesses, all it does is control the ignition part. There is also a front distributor drive kit that allows you to run normal distributor types with MSD(or similar) electronic ignitions so wont even need the stand alone harness for that. I think GM performance parts sells that also. You will lose the knock sensors so be careful of your tuning not to get too advanced in timing.