Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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Couple Quick Swapp Questions

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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 01:32 PM
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Default Couple Quick Swapp Questions

Been thinking about putting in a 5.3 with 4l80e into a 1971 chevelle.

My question is how do you run the cars gauges? there isn't a place for the speedometer cable, and where/how do you get a tach signal? I'd assume most leave the idiot lights disconnected.

I have looked around at a few build threads but they never addressed this. I will likely run the engine with an aftermarket wire harness and ecu.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 01:59 PM
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You either have to swap in an electric speedo (digital or analog), put electric speedo guts behind your face, or run a speedo converter like the abott cable X.

There is a tach output wire in the harness. should be pin 10 red connector if your using the old red/blue pcm.

The rest of the gauges/lights are pretty easy, put your oil pressure and temp sender onto the LS1
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 02:07 PM
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Does anyone make an electronic speedometer that looks like factory? Or is there an easy way (a kit or a write up) to convert the factory gauge to read the pcm's electronic signal?

Seems like everything else is pretty easy and straight forward.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 08:00 PM
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Look up Dakota Digital and see if they make a dash kit for your application. Expensive but nice products...
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 06:04 AM
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You can also look at Speedhut Freedom can-bus. These read off the PCM from the ALDL, using the oem LS senders. You can make them fit your dash. Search the site, you will find several examples.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 07:04 AM
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Tach signal off the ecu.
Other gauges, just swap the senders over to the LS1 block.
Speedo, Cable X, rework your gauge to electric, or mechanical speedo tail housing.
http://www.shiftworks.com/tailhousing.htm#4l80E
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