98 PCM to 99+ PCM

[Camaro98Z/28]

Anyone ever swap from a 98 LS1 PCM to a 99+
Theres very little support for the 98 due to the off year but a whole lot for the 99+
I assume its more than a simple buy a 99 PCM and have it flashed with my 98 programming...
Thanks!

[JoshieDoom]

You have to repin the wiring harness and do a lot of other crap. I know it requires you to use parts off of a van to get the fuel guage working as well. Its not fun from what ive heard.

[aerojt]

I have heard of many companies doing 98 pcm tunes, some even have them for sale. I would also look on ebay, I have been researching a pcm tune for my '98 and have not had many problems. If you want a hypertech/diablo tuner you won't find much. Those tuners don't do a whole lot though from what I have heard for the money.

[shady milkman]

you need to repin your 99 pcm into the 98 harness etc..then you need to get the eco van's fuel section into the 99...then you get real time tunning and more bars etc...you can use any pcm from a 99+

[hamburger68]

I have heard of many companies doing 98 pcm tunes, some even have them for sale. I would also look on ebay, I have been researching a pcm tune for my '98 and have not had many problems. If you want a hypertech/diablo tuner you won't find much. Those tuners don't do a whole lot though from what I have heard for the money.

i have a hypertech programmer for my 98, didn't have problems to get one. works fine, too. (although it's best for messing with my auto tranny)

[Camaro98Z/28]

I have heard of many companies doing 98 pcm tunes, some even have them for sale. I would also look on ebay, I have been researching a pcm tune for my '98 and have not had many problems. If you want a hypertech/diablo tuner you won't find much. Those tuners don't do a whole lot though from what I have heard for the money.

Hypertech makes a programmer, i have it, bought it cheap so for the mean time its just something to play with
afterwards itll make a nice code reader, nothing more

[0rion]

true the 99+ pcm's are the desired pcm's to have but your 98 can be tuned just fine. Get with www.lsxtune.com (frost on the board) about a mail order tune.

[hamburger68]

true the 99+ pcm's are the desired pcm's to have but your 98 can be tuned just fine. Get with www.lsxtune.com (frost on the board) about a mail order tune.

but stock for stock, is there a noticeable difference between them? or is that only interesting when it comes to tuning? (sudden attack of inferiority complex...)

[0rion]

there are things you can do with the 99+ pcm's such as real time tuning that you can't do with the 98's. There are a few other differences too but the 98 can be tuned just fine. I know Frost says if he owned a 98 he would swap to a 99 pcm but I wouldn't. I don't feel the work involved repinning everything and getting the gas gauge to work and things like that is justified by the gains but that's just my personal opinion. There are positives to having that 99+ pcm for sure, I'm just used to my 98 I guess.

[hamburger68]

thanks for the backup, i guessed as much. since i don't have plans for major modding/tuning i'll stick to my 98 pcm. and the car runs great at the moment.

[ss~zoso~ss]

98's UNITE!, Frost was able to tune my 98 PCM, haven't tried it out yet because its winter!

[shady milkman]

if your going for a heavily modded 98..a repin is really necessary..last thing you want at wot is the pcm guessing mixture and etc

[turbodarryl]

By chance do anyone make an adapted harness for the swap, just an idea but would be great.

[shady milkman]

By chance do anyone make an adapted harness for the swap, just an idea but would be great.

yea its a 99+ stock wiring harness....but its much easier just to repin

[JoshieDoom]

yea its a 99+ stock wiring harness....but its much easier just to repin

I think he was talking about an adapter. Kinda like plug and play.

[Frost]

By chance do anyone make an adapted harness for the swap, just an idea but would be great.

It's a very old idea... Find connector that matches the PCM-side (a pcm-equivalent connector) and it can be done. They are not made though, so something new would have to be manufactured and the market for such an item is too small.

It's hard to accept that even if it was made that it's several-hundred dollar cost would be OK when you can accomplish the same thing without that much work as it is...

[Night Move]

It's hard to accept that even if it was made that it's several-hundred dollar cost would be OK when you can accomplish the same thing without that much work as it is...[/QUOTE]

I have absolutley no idea what's involved with swapping a "98" PCM for a "99" or later but would like to make the change. I have access to any 4th gen F body PCM or wiring harness that would be needed. Where could I find the instructions necessary to make this change or where to send to have it done?

Thanks,

[Frost]

.... I have access to any 4th gen F body PCM or wiring harness that would be needed....
Thanks,

If you have access to every year harness why modify a 98? just use a 99-up harness and be done with it...

[Night Move]

If you have access to every year harness why modify a 98? just use a 99-up harness and be done with it...

OK, I was not aware that I could do that. Are the connections on a later year harness compatable with the 98 sending/receiving units? Whats the deal on the fuel gauge hookup, that I read, needs to be modified?

Thanks again,

[Frans96ss]

I have done the swap a few times... PM me if you are interested.