PCM Engine Identifier Change Question
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 3
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From: WA
PCM Engine Identifier Change Question Hi All, first time posting here but have read many a helpful thread over the years. I have a 09 express work van with blown 4.8 that I am swapping in a 5.3 LM7 because I got a deal on it. I'm leaving everything stock, but need the PCM to have all the stock 5.3 parameters. I have figured out how to change the "Engine Identifier" using PCMhammer & TunerPro, I'm curious if anyone knows if changing that value from the 4.8 to the 5.3 will change all the necessary parameters elsewhere?
Appreciate the help!
Appreciate the help!
Hi All, first time posting here but have read many a helpful thread over the years. I have a 09 express work van with blown 4.8 that I am swapping in a 5.3 LM7 because I got a deal on it. I'm leaving everything stock, but need the PCM to have all the stock 5.3 parameters. I have figured out how to change the "Engine Identifier" using PCMhammer & TunerPro, I'm curious if anyone knows if changing that value from the 4.8 to the 5.3 will change all the necessary parameters elsewhere?
Appreciate the help!
Appreciate the help!
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Just changing the engine identifier will do nothing. You need to find a stock 5.3 file and load into your PCM. However, I think you have bigger issues. An LM7 is a gen3 motor, and an 09 van would have came with a gen4 motor. This means different crankshaft reluctor wheels, which is not something you can tune around. If this is the case you will have to do far more work and spend more money than it would cost to just get another gen4 motor.
While a Gen 4 engine can be made to run in a Gen 3 engine, using a 58x to 24x converter, and dealing with sensor cabling, it doesn't work the other way. It is theoretically impossible to have a 24x to 58x converter for the same reason a low resolution picture cannot be converter into a high resolution picture.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
From: WA
Just changing the engine identifier will do nothing. You need to find a stock 5.3 file and load into your PCM. However, I think you have bigger issues. An LM7 is a gen3 motor, and an 09 van would have came with a gen4 motor. This means different crankshaft reluctor wheels, which is not something you can tune around. If this is the case you will have to do far more work and spend more money than it would cost to just get another gen4 motor.
Absolutely correct. A Gen 3 LS engine doesn't come close to working in a Gen 4 vehicle. At a MINIMUM, you have to remove the crank to install the 58x reluctor, deal with the relocated knock sensor, the relocated cam sensor, and of course install the 58x crank sensor. You likely will also have technical challenges with the throttle body, TPS, IAT and MAF sensors.
While a Gen 4 engine can be made to run in a Gen 3 engine, using a 58x to 24x converter, and dealing with sensor cabling, it doesn't work the other way. It is theoretically impossible to have a 24x to 58x converter for the same reason a low resolution picture cannot be converter into a high resolution picture.
While a Gen 4 engine can be made to run in a Gen 3 engine, using a 58x to 24x converter, and dealing with sensor cabling, it doesn't work the other way. It is theoretically impossible to have a 24x to 58x converter for the same reason a low resolution picture cannot be converter into a high resolution picture.
Last edited by LSbham; Jun 6, 2024 at 02:07 PM. Reason: Brain Fart
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Since you are getting a complete engine rebuild, just specify a Gen 4 timing cover (probably same as LS2) and LS3 knock sensors.
It might be easiest to use the throttle body (TB) from your 4.8. The various TB and ECM combinations with DBW are beyond me. Perhaps someone can recommend the correct 90mm TB for your 5.3.
Same with the MAF, which usually includes the IAT. If you switch to a bigger TB and intake tubes, you will need a different MAF. Aagain, someone else will have to recommend the correct MAF for your new combo.
It might be easiest to use the throttle body (TB) from your 4.8. The various TB and ECM combinations with DBW are beyond me. Perhaps someone can recommend the correct 90mm TB for your 5.3.
Same with the MAF, which usually includes the IAT. If you switch to a bigger TB and intake tubes, you will need a different MAF. Aagain, someone else will have to recommend the correct MAF for your new combo.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 198
Hi All, first time posting here but have read many a helpful thread over the years. I have a 09 express work van with blown 4.8 that I am swapping in a 5.3 LM7 because I got a deal on it. I'm leaving everything stock, but need the PCM to have all the stock 5.3 parameters. I have figured out how to change the "Engine Identifier" using PCMhammer & TunerPro, I'm curious if anyone knows if changing that value from the 4.8 to the 5.3 will change all the necessary parameters elsewhere?
Appreciate the help!
Appreciate the help!
If you're using a Gen4 motor (58x trigger wheel, etc) then you'll need a Gen4 PCM.
But if you've used PCM Hammer to pull the .bin file from this van... Are you sure it's an 09?
Or have you been using PCM Hammer with a PCM that's on a workbench rather than in the van?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
From: WA
Since you are getting a complete engine rebuild, just specify a Gen 4 timing cover (probably same as LS2) and LS3 knock sensors.
It might be easiest to use the throttle body (TB) from your 4.8. The various TB and ECM combinations with DBW are beyond me. Perhaps someone can recommend the correct 90mm TB for your 5.3.
Same with the MAF, which usually includes the IAT. If you switch to a bigger TB and intake tubes, you will need a different MAF. Aagain, someone else will have to recommend the correct MAF for your new combo.
It might be easiest to use the throttle body (TB) from your 4.8. The various TB and ECM combinations with DBW are beyond me. Perhaps someone can recommend the correct 90mm TB for your 5.3.
Same with the MAF, which usually includes the IAT. If you switch to a bigger TB and intake tubes, you will need a different MAF. Aagain, someone else will have to recommend the correct MAF for your new combo.
PCM Hammer only works with Gen3 PCMs.
If you're using a Gen4 motor (58x trigger wheel, etc) then you'll need a Gen4 PCM.
But if you've used PCM Hammer to pull the .bin file from this van... Are you sure it's an 09?
Or have you been using PCM Hammer with a PCM that's on a workbench rather than in the van?
If you're using a Gen4 motor (58x trigger wheel, etc) then you'll need a Gen4 PCM.
But if you've used PCM Hammer to pull the .bin file from this van... Are you sure it's an 09?
Or have you been using PCM Hammer with a PCM that's on a workbench rather than in the van?
Goal here is to only change the parameters necessary to get the 5.3 to work in the place of the 4.8, Is there an opensource way to do this? I do enjoy working on these but I'm not sure how much I'll use this (gen4 tuning) in the future as I'd likely stick to gen3 or standalone ecus on future projects. So maybe it's more cost and time effective to use HP tuners/EFI Live. I have also found a few places online like Garret Tuning where I could ship it to them for $250ish. So the question I guess is what do you think is the most cost/time effective way to get this done correctly?
Last edited by LSbham; Jun 10, 2024 at 01:44 PM.
