Swapping from DBW to cable

[468Blazer]

Just curious what all is needed to be done.
I have a 2003 5.3/auto.
Also would like to add a ls1 intake. I was thinking the only way to do this would be to get the intake etc, with a complete wiring harness and pcm since my harness now doesn't have the other hookups like the throttle cable one does?
Is there an easier way?

I just had another accelerator pedal sensor go out and its getting old. Any opinions or ideas would greatly be appreciated.
Travis

[zachs92]

not worth the hassle for such little gain. i would keep the truck intake.

[Lsx10]

the dbw and cable throttle body are interchangeable as far as fitment. I would stick with the truck intake. the wiring that is needed I'm trying to figure out...

if you need a pedal I will have one for sale soon

[beertestr]

You will need a throttle cable and the throttle cable bracket. Your 2003 intake has provisions to mount the bracket that holds the cable.

On my 93 Sierra install, I used cable PN 15040848, and bracket PN 89013780. You'll also need a M6x1x20mm bolt, if you are having difficulty finding one, the PN actually called out is 11514623. I had to work the hole in the firewall a bit to get the clip for the new throttle cable to fit, but it took about 10 minutes with a file to get it to work. A dremel will shorten the time considerably. I reused my factory gas pedal. The interface to the pedal arm is bolt in.

I just checked, all the parts are available from the dealer if you can't get them elsewhere, and retail at around $35 total, list is ~2x that, so if you can get pricing like GMpartsdirect.com...without the shipping cost of that website, you'd be in good shape.

As for wiring, I wouldn't bother changing the harness out, but you will need a PCM flash for a cable throttle to keep the SES light off, and everything to run nicely.

HTH.

[Jgoodfella069]

More than likely you will have to get a different harness that has plugs for the Idle air control and Throttle position sensor. Other than that the truck intake flows just as good as an ls1. If you want a better intake go with an LS6 intake with all the matching goodies.

[beertestr]

More than likely you will have to get a different harness that has plugs for the Idle air control and Throttle position sensor. Other than that the truck intake flows just as good as an ls1. If you want a better intake go with an LS6 intake with all the matching goodies.

Good point. WIth a little work, and using the service pigtails, you likely can rework the harness to accomodate IAC and TPS. I compared the two PCM connector PInouts, you need to ADD pins for the TPS signal, and the 4 IAC signals. In addition, you need to add a few powers and grounds. It all can be done but..

Another way to go at this is to use a 2003 Van harness. It's the SAME controller as the truck, but the harness is wired for cable throttle not DBW. The benefit here is that the engine is damn near identical to the truck, same intake, same accessories etc, so it should drop in.

[468Blazer]

ok thanks guys. I'm definitely going to swap back over to cable. Its only been 13,000 miles on the swap and i've had 2 accellerator sensors go out. From what I've read this is a problem even with factory vehicles. The DBW sounds like a good idea but thats about it.

[GasGuzzler]

Not really a big problem. On a GM forum I'm on I always heard others replacing them....I never have replaced one. I would suspect voltage spike or poor grounds causing the failures.

[383GMC]

By switching over to cable, dont u need to get a different throttle body. i was considering converting also, but may wait till i put in a 5.7

[Cherub]

By switching over to cable, dont u need to get a different throttle body. i was considering converting also, but may wait till i put in a 5.7

yea