Gen 3 PCM interchangeability
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Teching In
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Gen 3 PCM interchangeability First off sorry for the stupid question, I'm new to this. I was a Harley Davidson technician 20 years ago and I'm just now learning LS stuff.
I'm building a junkyard LQ4 for my 02 silverado, I have HP tuners for it and will be getting it tuned by a professional. However the stock motor I pull from my truck will be ripe for rebuilding and I have this idea you could drop it into a 98+ F body. Looking at the PCM from my 02 silverado, it seems like you can change which engine and transmission you want the PCM set up for by using the drop downs. You can also change the vehicle type, GMT800 and F-Body are among the options.
I'm wondering if the F-Body PCM's can work with either the 3.8 or a V8. V6 F bodies are all over FB marketplace for cheap, usually with a rod knock or otherwise not running. I actually have lots of questions about this whole process, if anyone knows of any good beginner level resources? I've watched a good handful of tuning videos on Youtube but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of different GM PCM's from the late 90s and early 2000's. I ordered an ODBX pro and downloaded PCM hammer, LS Droid, and Universal Patcher as well. Being able to change things like VIN, VATS, displacement, transmission; it's this dark art that is kinda hard to find info about.
I'm building a junkyard LQ4 for my 02 silverado, I have HP tuners for it and will be getting it tuned by a professional. However the stock motor I pull from my truck will be ripe for rebuilding and I have this idea you could drop it into a 98+ F body. Looking at the PCM from my 02 silverado, it seems like you can change which engine and transmission you want the PCM set up for by using the drop downs. You can also change the vehicle type, GMT800 and F-Body are among the options.
I'm wondering if the F-Body PCM's can work with either the 3.8 or a V8. V6 F bodies are all over FB marketplace for cheap, usually with a rod knock or otherwise not running. I actually have lots of questions about this whole process, if anyone knows of any good beginner level resources? I've watched a good handful of tuning videos on Youtube but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of different GM PCM's from the late 90s and early 2000's. I ordered an ODBX pro and downloaded PCM hammer, LS Droid, and Universal Patcher as well. Being able to change things like VIN, VATS, displacement, transmission; it's this dark art that is kinda hard to find info about.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
First, if you have HP Tuners and willing to pay $100 for the two credits needed to program the PCM, you don't need PCM Hammer, LS Droid and such. You do have to pay $100 for each different PCM.
Most GM PCM from 1999 thru 2002 (or later?) are called the "411" due to the full part number of 12200411. That PCM will run everything you mentioned and HP Tuners can change all the parameters you mentioned and much more.
The Vehicle Type you mentioned selects things like alternator type, existence of oil pressure switch, drive by wire or cable, and a few more. You can easily change that table for custom engines.
A '98 FBody uses an older '98 PCM with different pinouts on the PCM harness. Plenty of threads here on how to re-pin to use the better 411 PCM. A 1999-2002 F-Body would simplify this a bit as it will come with a 411 PCM.
A 411 PCM can easily run any LQ4 (made from 1999-2007). Heck I used a 411 to initially run my 2013 LS3 engine.
Hopefully that answers some of your questions. Let us know if you have more questions and good luck with your projects.
BTW - People who list their city in their Profile often find an experienced member close by.
Most GM PCM from 1999 thru 2002 (or later?) are called the "411" due to the full part number of 12200411. That PCM will run everything you mentioned and HP Tuners can change all the parameters you mentioned and much more.
The Vehicle Type you mentioned selects things like alternator type, existence of oil pressure switch, drive by wire or cable, and a few more. You can easily change that table for custom engines.
A '98 FBody uses an older '98 PCM with different pinouts on the PCM harness. Plenty of threads here on how to re-pin to use the better 411 PCM. A 1999-2002 F-Body would simplify this a bit as it will come with a 411 PCM.
A 411 PCM can easily run any LQ4 (made from 1999-2007). Heck I used a 411 to initially run my 2013 LS3 engine.
Hopefully that answers some of your questions. Let us know if you have more questions and good luck with your projects.
BTW - People who list their city in their Profile often find an experienced member close by.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 198
If you're planning on putting a V8 engine into an F-body that came with a V6, consider that the wiring harness might be quite different. I mean, at minimum you'll have to run two more wires for injectors and two more for ignition coils... I have no idea about the compatibility of other sensors, like MAF, MAP. coolant temp, etc, whether the wiring is the right length to accommodate differences in placement on V6 vs V8, etc... but it's worth looking into before you buy a chassis. It might be worth the expense to find a V8 F-body with a blown motor just to avoid any surprises with wiring.
Unless of course the V6 -> V8 swap is a well-trodden path and I'm just worrying about a bunch of easily solved problems. That's entirely possible.
Unless of course the V6 -> V8 swap is a well-trodden path and I'm just worrying about a bunch of easily solved problems. That's entirely possible.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 2
First, if you have HP Tuners and willing to pay $100 for the two credits needed to program the PCM, you don't need PCM Hammer, LS Droid and such. You do have to pay $100 for each different PCM.
Most GM PCM from 1999 thru 2002 (or later?) are called the "411" due to the full part number of 12200411. That PCM will run everything you mentioned and HP Tuners can change all the parameters you mentioned and much more.
The Vehicle Type you mentioned selects things like alternator type, existence of oil pressure switch, drive by wire or cable, and a few more. You can easily change that table for custom engines.
A '98 FBody uses an older '98 PCM with different pinouts on the PCM harness. Plenty of threads here on how to re-pin to use the better 411 PCM. A 1999-2002 F-Body would simplify this a bit as it will come with a 411 PCM.
A 411 PCM can easily run any LQ4 (made from 1999-2007). Heck I used a 411 to initially run my 2013 LS3 engine.
Hopefully that answers some of your questions. Let us know if you have more questions and good luck with your projects.
BTW - People who list their city in their Profile often find an experienced member close by.
Most GM PCM from 1999 thru 2002 (or later?) are called the "411" due to the full part number of 12200411. That PCM will run everything you mentioned and HP Tuners can change all the parameters you mentioned and much more.
The Vehicle Type you mentioned selects things like alternator type, existence of oil pressure switch, drive by wire or cable, and a few more. You can easily change that table for custom engines.
A '98 FBody uses an older '98 PCM with different pinouts on the PCM harness. Plenty of threads here on how to re-pin to use the better 411 PCM. A 1999-2002 F-Body would simplify this a bit as it will come with a 411 PCM.
A 411 PCM can easily run any LQ4 (made from 1999-2007). Heck I used a 411 to initially run my 2013 LS3 engine.
Hopefully that answers some of your questions. Let us know if you have more questions and good luck with your projects.
BTW - People who list their city in their Profile often find an experienced member close by.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 2
First off sorry for the stupid question, I'm new to this. I was a Harley Davidson technician 20 years ago and I'm just now learning LS stuff.
I'm building a junkyard LQ4 for my 02 silverado, I have HP tuners for it and will be getting it tuned by a professional. However the stock motor I pull from my truck will be ripe for rebuilding and I have this idea you could drop it into a 98+ F body. Looking at the PCM from my 02 silverado, it seems like you can change which engine and transmission you want the PCM set up for by using the drop downs. You can also change the vehicle type, GMT800 and F-Body are among the options.
I'm wondering if the F-Body PCM's can work with either the 3.8 or a V8. V6 F bodies are all over FB marketplace for cheap, usually with a rod knock or otherwise not running. I actually have lots of questions about this whole process, if anyone knows of any good beginner level resources? I've watched a good handful of tuning videos on Youtube but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of different GM PCM's from the late 90s and early 2000's. I ordered an ODBX pro and downloaded PCM hammer, LS Droid, and Universal Patcher as well. Being able to change things like VIN, VATS, displacement, transmission; it's this dark art that is kinda hard to find info about.
I'm building a junkyard LQ4 for my 02 silverado, I have HP tuners for it and will be getting it tuned by a professional. However the stock motor I pull from my truck will be ripe for rebuilding and I have this idea you could drop it into a 98+ F body. Looking at the PCM from my 02 silverado, it seems like you can change which engine and transmission you want the PCM set up for by using the drop downs. You can also change the vehicle type, GMT800 and F-Body are among the options.
I'm wondering if the F-Body PCM's can work with either the 3.8 or a V8. V6 F bodies are all over FB marketplace for cheap, usually with a rod knock or otherwise not running. I actually have lots of questions about this whole process, if anyone knows of any good beginner level resources? I've watched a good handful of tuning videos on Youtube but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of different GM PCM's from the late 90s and early 2000's. I ordered an ODBX pro and downloaded PCM hammer, LS Droid, and Universal Patcher as well. Being able to change things like VIN, VATS, displacement, transmission; it's this dark art that is kinda hard to find info about.
