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Camaro Firebird combination. Is this the right thread?
Hey guys,
Over the summer I picked up an 02 SOM camaro with a rotted frame for short money. (guy parked in new england winters on the grass). Plan was the take the LS1/T56/brakes/etc. and drop into a 60's A-body. I took everything apart, sold off what i could (a lot on this forum), and now have a 65k mile LS1/T56/wiring.
A few week back, a guy at work tells me his son is trying to sell his 02 Firehawk with a grenaded motor. It's a real Firehawk but the LS1 does have a thrown rod. (can't make this stuff up)
So I bought the Firehawk for cheap and want to drop the LS1/T56 from the Camaro into the Firehawk. The Pontiac was an auto, so i've already started researching what's needed to convert it over.
I've got a couple questions for you experts. Should I use the wiring harness from the Camaro? Should i use the PCM and/or ECM from the Camaro? I don't know enough about the anti-theft or the silly key resistor to know where that gets checked.
Right now i'm starting the disassembly process to get the entire K-member and powertrain out, but would like to start planning to see what parts I should bring over from the Camaro.
I'm guessing I take the entire engine harness from the Camaro which i think includes the transmission connections (haven't checked my notes), but have no idea about ECU or PCM and would like to hear what you guys think
Thanks in advance. This forum is a true wealth of information
Jim
I don't think you need to change anything in the 02 Firehawk wiring wise if you keep it an auto. Camaros and Firebirds are basically the same under the skin.
If you go stick I would strip all of the engine wiring out of each car and swap them over. Shifter and console. Pedals. Steering column? Match the ecm's to the auto or the stick.
Ok so since I'm switching over to the manual, I'll use the camaro engine wiring harness (which i still need to confirm has the T56 connections) and use the ECM from the camaro. PCM stays the same?
On LS1 engines there is only one ECM for engine and trans control. The auto and T56 ECM's have different programming. Either can be tuned to match the tans.
My suggestion would be to use the Firehawk ECU and have it reprogrammed for the T56 if that is your plan. It's a very basic change in the ECU, I've done it a few times with HP Tuners. If you use the Camaro ECU, you'll have issues with the VIN's not matching, VATS issues, and likely BCM issues.
Since the Wiring harnesses are so close from 99-02, I'd suggest swapping over the wiring harnesses like what was suggested earlier. As long as your plan is to do the 6 speed swap.
Thanks guys. That was my big question. Which ECU and wiring harness I should use since I do not want to deal with VATS and VIN issues. Really appreciate the feedback. Ill try to start a build thread but usually just get caught up in working rather than documenting and photographing
The bcm reads key pill and sends okay to ecm to allow injector pulse, but the bcm doesnt care what ecm you run. Mismatched vins may cause you an inspection problem if that happens in your area. I have a 98 ecm in my 01 for example.
Your hatch will need the park safety switch bypassed from.converting to an auto and you will also have issues with cruise converting an auto car to a manual.
There is feedback for the brake and or clutch pedal being depressed to allow for a start on manual
Sounds like a nice Fire-camaro or Cam-a-hawk in the making.
I'd also want to swap the rear ends if both are 3 channel or both are 4 channel. The automatic 2.73 (RPO GU2) or 3.23 (RPO GU5) gears aren't as much fun as the six speed 3.42 (RPO GU6) gears.
Of course 4.10's are more fun still.
Last edited by 99 Black Bird T/A; Dec 3, 2021 at 06:13 AM.
How about a 5.3 short block and cam in the firehawk, and leave it as is.
Keep the other drivetrain under the bench. Drive the firehawk for a summer then sell it to fund the next build.
keep the firehawk block, to go with the car, if someone wants to humpty-dumpty it back together again for a resto.
Mostly because i have everything i need currently in my garage. Will likely keep the 4L60E and get an L33 5.3 to put into an older A-body so i won't need the tunnel "massaging"
Alright guys,
I got around to swapping everything over from the camaro to the firehawk, K-member is bolted up. Wiring is done, exhaust, torque arm and driveshaft, coolant hoses, belts. Everything.
I've got new engine oil in and filled up as much coolant as i could in the radiator (i know i'm still short and will try to fill the rest after i run the motor after a minute.)
PS fluid, same thing but i'm not worried about this.
I haven't started the clutch bleeding yet but will soon.
Is there anything other than oil and coolant I really need to have done before I start the car for the first time in months? Do i need to do the clutch bleed? or just make sure i don't touch the shifter and keep it in neutral?
I'm fairly certain it's just oil and coolant but want to confirm with you guys.
Also, A/C system was completely disassembled. Should i bring this to someone to have done, or just add in new refrigerant? I heard there is oil and freon that has to be added, and I have no clue what this oil is and/or where to get it.
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Camaro Firebird combination. Is this the right thread? 
