ECM swap?

**kaine806** · 07-23-2009, 07:56 AM

how hard would it be to swap a 98 camaro ECM for a 99-02 ECM?
can I use my harness or will i need a new one?
if I can use it what mod's will it need to work right?

**farmtruc** · 07-23-2009, 01:45 PM

The '98 pcm is a different pcm/calibration and physically looks different, and has a different pinout.

not really practical, why would you want to? is there is a specific reason?

it can be done though.

**kaine806** · 07-24-2009, 02:24 PM

I think my ECM is going out or the transmission controller in it is...
and can't find the 98 ECM any where that doesn't have a back order list for it and the 99-02 ECM are every where and easy to find.
I know I can repin the plug all i need is a diagram of the plug's.
I'm taking the car to the dealer monday morning to have it tested.. so I'll see what I need to do from there...
I was just wondering how hard it is to swap out.... I found a 99-02 ECM for $160 with the stock tuning for a 98.

**Mean Green Z28** · 07-24-2009, 04:53 PM

Re-pinning the harness ... it can be done and it's a pain in the ass ... 'cos I've done it. Then you got to swap gauge clusters for a '99+ cluster and rewire that section, then get the cruise control system wires in (there's 1-2 wires that need to be run in addition to the '98 harness).

How are you sure it's the transmission control part of it? Could it be a bad solenoid in the trans? I'm finding it hard to believe that only that part could be having an issue and the rest of the car/engine is running smooth.

**kaine806** · 07-25-2009, 09:14 AM

the solenoid's are good.. that is what my first thought was as well... it's had a bug in it that I've been looking for the last 6 month's now and no luck the check engine light is still on....
I've replaced about 75% of the senser's on it and every thing check's out good.. I replaced the harness about a year ago.. the old on had been modded by the the guy I got the car from... it had remote start and ton's of those crappy looking neon's on it.. and had every thing wired to the harness in one way or another.. there was lot's of tape holding it together so I got new harness's from the firewall up to the front of the car... and I am planning on doing the dash harness next.

that's why I was wondering about the swap... and was thinking that it mite be easyer than tracking down a new or used ECM for a 98 model.

the dealer's here can get a new one for me... but they are on back order and said it could take up to 8month's to get here... but they told me that if i wanted to change it out to a 99+ model they have them in stock.

**Mean Green Z28** · 07-27-2009, 06:47 AM

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116748 ... <--- he has a '98 PCM for a good price

**kaine806** · 07-28-2009, 06:49 PM

oh sweet!! Thank's man..

**Ls1Mx5** · 08-01-2009, 07:55 PM

Is the 98 engine harness different the 99+? I'm doing an ls1 miata swap

**Frost** · 08-02-2009, 04:43 AM

yes and you DON'T WANT A 98 HARNESS/PCM for a swap (or at all really)

**Ls1Mx5** · 08-03-2009, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by Frost

yes and you DON'T WANT A 98 HARNESS/PCM for a swap (or at all really)

Why not, tell me more about this, I have a 98 Ls1 lined up with a real good price.

**Frost** · 08-03-2009, 08:18 AM

It's old hardware (and soft/firmware). The 99-02 PCMs are all the same and you can run a 2002 OS which has greatly refined engine control. The 98's have tons of goofy issues here and there. Most of it may not make much sense if you aren't a tuner. I don't mean to be short but I'm on the rollers

There are many threads related to this on many boards. I would never do a swap with a 98 base if I had ANY choice what so ever.

**Ls1Mx5** · 08-04-2009, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by Frost

It's old hardware (and soft/firmware). The 99-02 PCMs are all the same and you can run a 2002 OS which has greatly refined engine control. The 98's have tons of goofy issues here and there. Most of it may not make much sense if you aren't a tuner. I don't mean to be short but I'm on the rollers

There are many threads related to this on many boards. I would never do a swap with a 98 base if I had ANY choice what so ever.

Thanks, so the basic issues with the 98's lie in the PCMs, which wouldn't really make a difference if I were to put a carb and an MSD 6010 on right?

**Frost** · 08-04-2009, 07:29 AM

That's correct, but that would another step backwards...

**kaine806** · 08-11-2009, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Frost

That's correct, but that would another step backwards...

would it be worth it to swap the 98ecm with a 99+ one in a 98 z28?

**Frost** · 08-11-2009, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by kaine806

would it be worth it to swap the 98ecm with a 99+ one in a 98 z28?

Depends on what you are doing with the car. If it's a boltons car and won't see future modding then no, I wouldn't. If it were a more involved setup then perhaps...

**kaine806** · 08-12-2009, 07:45 AM

here is what I have planned for the car.
LQ9 swap fully buikt bottom end,not real sure what kind of head's I want run yet.
a high volume aluminum manifold and a 90mm TB.
a T60 turbo charger with a good front mount or water to air intercooler.
probably go with a set of 55lb/hr fuel injector's.
and I want to set it up with a 2 stage electronic boost controller.
I would like to get 650hp at the wheel's...

here's what I have done so far..
SLP long tube header's and loudmouth 2 catback system...
MSD coil pack's and plug wire's
85mm TB
K&N intake system
3.5in aluminum drive shaft
3.73 gear's
stage 3 transmission and a 3200 stall converter
stock tune.

**Frost** · 08-12-2009, 09:19 AM

A 60mm turbo on an Lq9 will be out of breath by 4K RPMs. That is a most horrible mismatch.

If you are REALLY going to go boosted then the swap is worth it. If you stay boltons then it is not.

**garygnu65** · 08-12-2009, 07:34 PM

do i need to swap ecms ,if i swap in a ls3 in a 2000 ta?

**Frost** · 08-12-2009, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by garygnu65

do i need to swap ecms ,if i swap in a ls3 in a 2000 ta?

No, but you have to be able to work with the reluctor... If you have the standard LS3 crank reluctor (58x) you need the Lingenfelter 24x converter. If you are building your own LS3, you can get the crank with a 24x reluctor.

**kaine806** · 08-13-2009, 05:05 AM

ya one would be two small.. 2 of them would do pretty good...
the resone I was thinking about doing a twin setup is becuase I have t60 ball bearing turbo charger with a .82A/R I had it on a supra and that would save me from having to spend 2k on a single turbo chargercaus ethat one was only 800 buck's
it's still up in the air at the moment though...
the throtle responce of a twin setup would be better than a single setup... and this car is a daily drivin car so I want the power band the make the real power above 2800rpm's so I'm not spinning the wheel's every time I leave a light... my big issue is where to mount them... I'm probably going to relocate the battery and fuse box's and mount them in the fender's up there.. and remove all he emission controll's on the car as well... they don't check that stuff here...

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