Am I nuts? LQ9/4L65E --> 98 K1500

I've been reading this site for the last few days, and there's TONS of info here! I'm still unclear though on some things and looking for help on this swap.

Here's what I got, I bought a salvage title 2003 Escalade that a tree dropped on and totaled. Got the whole thing out back now. Has 14K miles on it, and absolutely no damage to the powertrain! I got everything - nothing pulled!

I want to pull the LQ9 and 4L65E out of it and put it into my 1998 K1500 extended cab, short bed, Z71 that's turning 180K and I'm losing the trans on. I've ordered Advance Adapter's motor mounts because they advertise the trans will be right where it is now using them. So no shaft work since the 4L65E is same length as the 4L60E. I'm pretty sure I need to just hang my T-case on the 4L65E and ditch the AWD T-case (right?). My 98 does have the two-piece transmission case.

I don't want to mess with drive-by-wire because it just sort of scares me! I pulled a cable operated 6.0L throttle body from a local yard for $125 this morning.

I've don't know what I want to do with the AC, but probably won't cut my frame - just not that brave. I see different people have done some different things so I'll probably glift somewhere when time comes. I heard by word of mouth some shop here in Jersey was able to sling the compressor out of the OBS truck right next to the alternator on a 5.3 swap! Rumor has it they didn't even crack the AC system which would be ideal for me! Got to run that rumor down.

Here's where I start getting lost. I know it doesn't take much to get the motor running with the harness and it's computer. What I don't know if what I need to do to keep everything else working in my truck with its existing computer. In other words, how do I make the newer motor play nice with my old computer, gauges, ABS, and stuff? I saw this article from Street & Performance and they use both computers. Is that they way it needs to be? Can I somehow completely replace my old computer?

Thanks guys for any help! Hope I'm not in over my head!

Street and Perforrmance have a Sanden compressor set up for this swap. It mounts the compressor up high. Not a bad price either.
You will need to keep both pcms. We have done several swaps and even on my '92, you have to keep the old pcm.

I stripped the PCMs out of my 92 and 93 and must admit that when we did TRTs truck it was a lot simpler to keep the original PCM in place! That's the easiest way and it keeps everything functional.

So here's a question. I live in Jersey and motor vehicle inspection requires them to plug into the OBD2 port and also sniff the pipe. No visual though. I guess I'd need to put the port for the PCM operating the computer under the dash then?

I was reading another forum over Pacific Audio where there is a really, really, long thread over there about a 0411 PCM, but I got lost reading it because it's more on the tuning side, which is over me. Anyway, seems like those guys were doing a full PCM swap out with it. I'd like to have one computer because I've got dual batteries and don't have the fender room to spare. Just wonder if this is realistic to achieve. I obviously need to get into studying that more.

I was looking at that S&P AC setup, but I wonder if there is any way I could adapt the one in the truck now. I know the Escalades LQ9 has a dual alternator option that put the second side by side of the orignal on the driver's. I was thinking maybe I could get my existing AC compressor mounted there too since it's already in that location and because there is a lot of room there on my truck now. Any thoughts from you experienced swappers?

your swap harness will have the port to plug in. Nelson does make a nice harness.
We have used them several times.

I'd like to see that dual alternator setup! S&P makes the A/C bracket to mount it high on the passenger side head. Unless you're going with a front mount turbo that is the ideal place for it if you don't feel like chopping up the frame for the stock a/c mount location.

NelsonPerformance.com can build you a harness so you can place your PCM anywhere you want, even under the front seat. Just give them length of the wires you need from the PCM to a reference point such as the centerline of the block at the back of the engine. With their setup you only hook up three wires and they provide you with and ALDL connector that has the SES light built into it to simplify the installation. Give them the length of the wires from a reference point for where you want to mount the ALDL and they can compensate for that too.

I dumped my old vortec computer, there was no need for it and everything in my truck is functional. Billy, did you keep it intact or remove it after the install? Just curious..................

Nitrous, can you tell me more???

The dual alternator bracket is used in Escalade limo upfits. I have a buddy who owns a limo service and his Escalades have this. I'd see if I can get a picture.

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Originally Posted by NITROUS

I dumped my old vortec computer, there was no need for it and everything in my truck is functional. Billy, did you keep it intact or remove it after the install? Just curious..................

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I left it in.

Billy, is the old PCM running anything?

RY_1998Z1, what would you like to know? I'll try to answer the best I can but take all aspects into concideration. Some people like to run the old computer and tuck it on top of the transmission Like S&P does.

Nitrous and all,

Thanks! Nitrous, I am wondering what it takes to get rid of the 98's computer altogether and just run the 03's, well at least a modified version of it because I know I'll need the drive by wire stuff and security taken out of the program.

I have the pinouts for my stock computer and have been looking at them and see there are things like my transfer case hi/low, 4wd, AC compressor controls, fuel level sender, etc. in there and I don't know if the new computer can be wired to understand them (am I saying that right). Like if I can adapt my 98's AC compressor, can the 03 computer run it? Can I get my fuel gauge to work? The Caddy is AWD, but I'm going to swap my push-button 4wd T-case on the 4L65E. I don't know why the computer needs to know what the T-case is doing, but I also haven't gotten into this deep yet.

If I can impose on your time, can you hit me with highlights as to whether or not I can blow my 98 computer away? Keep in mind I have 100% of everything related to the powertrain in the donor. The harness is untouched and the engine starts right up! It's not like I'll be putting the newer motor in front of an older trans. It's the matched set, and looking at most of what the computer does, well, that seems to be it except those few exceptions. I thought there'd be ABS and stuff but I guess that's standalone.

I was looking through their pdf catalog, are you guys talking about that ~$720 piece and doesn't have the new hoses??? :tantrum:

WHOA! I need to figure out if I can get my old compressor slung! Going to need to look at that dual alternator mount for some ideas...

Ry,
That post on PacificP.com about the 12200411 PCM is mine. You're right it is Loooong. That thread went in many directions that I have NO control over. The 0411 PCM is a complete replacement in the 96-2000 Distributored Vortec trucks with the Black Box PCM. The 0411 will run the Distributored Vortecs and Gen 3 engines if it gets the proper crank/cam inputs and is programmed to match. The Question is--Is your LQ9 a 512 or 1Meg engine? Does it have a 24x or 58x crank reluctor? The 512--24x engines use the Red and Blue connectors for the PCM and the PCM can be completely replaced in your truck, if so. I KNOW the 411 will run ALL functions of your truck properly, But I don't know if a newer 1Meg PCM will.

PS, I don't own a GEN3 truck, But I LURK here often.

Jeff

RY, talk to Richard Campbell. He has a 96 with a 6.0 with the exact setup you're wanting to use. In the meantime if I had a pinout of your pcm I would be able to tell you if it will run everything and I'm pretty sure it will.

Lextech, nice setup with the ramjet and all. I almost went that route before the LSX install but without the turbos. There's alot of good info in your post.

Jeff,

Well, I don't know how to tell about the reluctor... I will pull the computer plugs when I get home to see what colors they are, but reading S&P's catalog last night, it seems I might have a computer that can only run drive by wire. I really want to just run a cable... I really need to see if the computer model number is on it someplace.

Nitrous,

How can I get the diagrams to you? I can scan them no problem.

Get a cable driven wiring harness and pcm from a 99-2002 model. The 58x reluctor wheel came out with the LS2s. You can count the notches on the crank by removing the crank sensor and rolling the crank around 1/4 turn and counting the notches x 4.

Why don't you scan them to photobucket and then hyperlink them through PM's.

I checked this morning during a break in the rain. The computer is #12582605 with blue and green connectors.

Nitrous, I scanned the pinouts at work and will see about getting them to you..

Thanks!

I've got a LS2 with a 411 PCM in my '98 truck. I completely ditched the vortec PCM. I used a 5.3 harness from a 2001 truck, had to cut and splice to match it up to the fuse panel, to the connector on the firewall, and had to run some miscellaneous wires here and there. The 411 PCM outputs the correct VSS so that ABS and speedometer will work. Tach resolution can be changed in the PCM so the tach reads correctly also. I believe I used High 3 Low 2 or vice versa on the tach resolution. The only thing that will not work on the '98 is the fuel guage. I'm running a programmable Autometer gauge that works off the stock fuel sender. Works perfectly. Also, if you do the motor mounts correctly, you will not need custom parts anywhere, transmission lines, driveshafts, exhaust etc will all line up and be bolt on parts. Most conversion motor mounts move the engine back to far so everything needs to be custom made. My truck has been running for almost two years with zero issues.

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Originally Posted by RedHeartbeat

Get a cable driven wiring harness and pcm from a 99-2002 model. The 58x reluctor wheel came out with the LS2s. You can count the notches on the crank by removing the crank sensor and rolling the crank around 1/4 turn and counting the notches x 4.

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2005 LS2 engines still had the old reluctor wheel in them, at least in the SSR and GTO. Pretty sure the Vette did too. Any old style 3rd gen PCM will run the truck, but 99-02 is the easiest because they were originally cable driven.

Hey Guys,i Am Doing The Same Thing In A 96 K1500 And With An Ls1,can Any Of You Hook Me Up With 5.3 Brackets And A Harness Or Can I Get Aftermarket Somewhere? I Am Going To Chop The Frame Just Because It Looks Cleaner Without A Big A/c Compressor On Top. I Would Really Appreciate Your Input,thanks

This is an old thread, but in reference to the OP. The 2003 truck PCM won't run a cable driven throttle body. It doesn't have the capability to run IAC.

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Originally Posted by OLD TIMER

Hey Guys,i Am Doing The Same Thing In A 96 K1500 And With An Ls1,can Any Of You Hook Me Up With 5.3 Brackets And A Harness Or Can I Get Aftermarket Somewhere? I Am Going To Chop The Frame Just Because It Looks Cleaner Without A Big A/c Compressor On Top. I Would Really Appreciate Your Input,thanks

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Nelson makes the harnesses and im sure he could get you the brackets.

PM him http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/members/farmtruc.html