Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Mechanical Speedo on a 6L80E???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 07:26 AM
  #1  
Docked Wage's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, FL.
Default Mechanical Speedo on a 6L80E???

I'm getting started on a 63 Chevy C10 swap and want to use the original mechanical speedo in the dash.

In the past I've used a Shift Works tailshaft conversion kit for the 4L80E but it does not look like they have one for the 6L80E.

I'm thinking I need to get a speed signal off the CAN bus and then drive the speedo via a Cable-X.

Can someone please confirm? Also which CAN adapter should I get?

Thanks, Ken
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 08:47 AM
  #2  
BP Automotive's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
10 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: Columbia, Kentucky
Default

A cable x would be your best bet. It will convert the signal from the ECM and spin a cable to drive your speedometer. They run about the same price as a aftermarket speedometer.

You can also have your mechanical speedo converted too.


All of the options run in the neighborhood of $300
__________________

Standalone LS Swap Harnesses IN STOCK!
LSX, LTX Stand alone swap harnesses. S10 LSX conversion PLUG AND PLAY harnesses, 24x conversion PLUG AND PLAY harnesses. LT1 to LSX PLUG AND PLAY Harnesses.
sales@bp-automotive.com
www.bp-automotive.com
1-888-467-4491
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 10:28 AM
  #3  
ls1nova71's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 211
From: Liberty, MO
Default

Since there's no speedometer out put from the PCM, how do you hook up a Cable X, or any other aftermarket speedo othet than a GPS or a CANBUS type gauge??? This is the reason I've stayed away from the GEN4 stuff. If theres a way to get the signal from the CANBUS, I'd like to hear about it.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 10:33 AM
  #4  
BP Automotive's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
10 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 641
Likes: 2
From: Columbia, Kentucky
Default

There is a speedometer output on the Gen IV just like the Gen III. The Cable x reads that and uses that to drive the cable.
__________________

Standalone LS Swap Harnesses IN STOCK!
LSX, LTX Stand alone swap harnesses. S10 LSX conversion PLUG AND PLAY harnesses, 24x conversion PLUG AND PLAY harnesses. LT1 to LSX PLUG AND PLAY Harnesses.
sales@bp-automotive.com
www.bp-automotive.com
1-888-467-4491
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2013 | 09:57 AM
  #5  
ls1nova71's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 211
From: Liberty, MO
Default

Originally Posted by BP Automotive
There is a speedometer output on the Gen IV just like the Gen III. The Cable x reads that and uses that to drive the cable.
What pin is the speedo output on a 2009 6.0? There's nothing I can find.....
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 10:32 AM
  #6  
Docked Wage's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, FL.
Default

BP,

I'm curious also. I thought the speedo and tach were handled by the BCM via messages from the CAN on the E38. If there's a pin for speed out I'd love to know about it.

Ken
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 10:51 AM
  #7  
71403's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 3
Default

E38 ECM, X1-57 is the 128k VSS output to ABS. Cable-X works fine on it.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2014 | 09:27 AM
  #8  
Docked Wage's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, FL.
Default

Pulling my hair out because I'm having problems with the Cable X and could really use some fresh perspectives as I'm not getting a speedo reading when driving.

Here's what I know or have checked:

The ECM is getting a VSS signal from the 6L90E. It shifts fine and I can see speed on the CAN bus with my handheld scanner.

I double checked with my tuner that 128K Speed output was left ON in the tune.

It's set up with power, ground, and the Speed signal wire from the ECM X1-57 (Yel/Bk).

The unit powers up when the key is on and the status LED blinks.

I can run the field test procedure and it spins the speedo up to 20 MPH when sitting in the driveway.

I set the Dip Switches to 127,950 Pulses per Mile (as close to 128K as I could find)

I verified there are no voltage drops at the connection of the Cable X.

I verified the yellow/black wire between the Cable X signal input White wire and the X1-57 pin is good with a meter.

The status LED just blinks when driving.


Thanks in advance for any help,
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-4

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-8

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
Old Jun 8, 2014 | 12:23 PM
  #9  
1989GTA's Avatar
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 11
Default

If you are using HP Tuners you need the latest program. The earlier one will not activate the VSS output even if the software switch is on. If you are running the latest program you might need a occillisscope to see if the signal is present and not a hardware issue.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2014 | 01:11 PM
  #10  
Docked Wage's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, FL.
Default

Excellent! Thanks for the response!

Can I assume it's a 5V square wave signal on the wire?

Regards,

Last edited by Docked Wage; Jun 8, 2014 at 01:17 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2014 | 12:28 AM
  #11  
Patro46's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default

The best solution I could find was to use the tailshaft to do the job that's been done forever. I didn't like the thought of a rather pricey motor driving a tough to turn anyway cable and speedometer. I'd bet they make a solution.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=215641
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:44 PM.

story-0
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-4
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-5
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-6
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-9
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE