98 PCM Questions

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Mar 10, 2026 | 11:08 PM

LS1Silverado05

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98 PCM Questions

Hey all,

Been out of the loop for a good while but recently picked up a 98 Formula to mess with. More than likely this car will be a strong Heads/Cam NA cruiser and weekend warrior. Will I see any downside to just continuing to run the 98 PCM? People are quick to say 411 swap, but what benefit would I realistically see on say a 500HP NA type build?

Secondly, if I stay 98, am I better off HP or EFI Live or is it irrelevant? I appreciate the input.

Mar 13, 2026 | 05:59 AM

LS1Formulation

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Back when I was N/A, I ran the '98 PCM with no issues. Even with a mail order tune, it ran great. Not sure on tuning software preferences.

Mar 13, 2026 | 02:17 PM

RPM WS6

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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317

I wouldn't go to all the trouble of a PCM swap for a typical H/C build.

Mar 13, 2026 | 04:17 PM

LS1Silverado05

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Ok thanks guys! I was somewhat assuming it becomes a bottleneck with either boosted applications or more complex builds.

Mar 13, 2026 | 05:37 PM

BishopTS

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I would swap it. Its really easy to do and gives you hp tuners tune ability. So changing speed limiters, skip shift, fan temps, removal of bs emissions codes that keep the engine light on.
i swapped my 96 lt1 car to 411 on a Saturday. For 98 to 411 its even easier.

Mar 13, 2026 | 05:39 PM

RPM WS6

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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317

Quote:

Originally Posted by BishopTS

There is zero need to swap the '98 PCM to tune any of those things listed above. All of that is tuneable on a '98 too.

The swap is not super easy as there's no plug-n-play swap harness. You have to repin.

Mar 13, 2026 | 05:44 PM

BishopTS

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Ok super easy for someone who knows how to remove pins and move them over
p01 is also a faster pcm

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Mar 13, 2026 | 07:37 PM

RPM WS6

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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317

Quote:

Originally Posted by BishopTS

How about this. I would, its way less likely to brick and if you ever need to replace it when you have 411 it's like $50 at any scrap yard

I wouldn't preemptively change it just because it *might* fail during a tune. Mine didn't, I've tuned it several times.

But if it *does* fail, why not just change it then? In the mean time, you can tune the existing '98 PCM for all those things you have listed above.