fireside286

I am wanting to buy this 97 Camaro Z28 automatic. The car is in great shape but someone has stolen the computer out of it.

What do I need to get it up and running and where would I go about getting a new computer.

Thanks

Injuneer

A used 96 or 97 LT1 PCM, preferably from an auto trans car will plug right in, assuming the harness is intact. You can use a PCM from a manual trans car, but it will need to be reflashed, an extra expense. If the car is relatively stock, no heads/cam mods, the stock program will allow the engine to start and run. If the car you are buying has been modified with things like ported heads, a more aggressive cam, or larger injectors, you could get a mail-order tune to handle the changes.

Should be readily available on eBay. And you can post in our Marketplace forum - Parts Wanted.

fireside286

Injuneer,

Thanks for the reply.

It is all stock so if I find one out of the junkyard I can just plug it in and drive it? What about this knock module that I hear about? The dealership said something about the computer would need to be flashed.

Injuneer

You can only use a PCM from a 96 or 97 F-Body (Camaro, Firebird) LT1. The knock module is identical 94-97. Some people swap in the knock module from a 1996 LT4 Corvette, but that does not require any reprogramming. The knock sensor is different (93-95 = ~4,500 ohms; 96/97 = ~100,000 ohms). But you don't want to use a 94/95 OBD-1 PCM with an OBD-2 97. If you get a PCM out of a 96/97 it will match the knock sensor in the 97 you are buying.

If the car you got the PCM out of had an automatic trans, you will be able to run on the stock program, with one possible exception. If the rear axle ratio in your 97 was different than the car it came out of, you would need to have that corrected in the PCM program. The car you are buying has either 2.73 gears (RPO "GU2") or 3.23 gears (RPO "GU5"). That info would be on the replacement parts tag in the glove box. Of course, someone may have changed the rear axle gears in the parts car, or the car you are buying, so ratios need to be verified by counting the teeth on the ring/pinion, or counting driveshaft rotations for each rotation of the rear wheels.

If the PCM is out of a car that had a manual trans, the speedometer will be off and the PCM won't be able to shift the 4L60E. Engine will run, but that's all. In that case, you would need the PCM reflashed with a program for an auto trans.

You can get the PCM reflashed by a mail order tuner, probably for a lot less than a dealer would charge you, and they could pick up 10-15 HP with some minor tweaks.

Here is an example of a mail order tuner:

PCM for Less

GaryDoug

Buy one like this and they will program it for you using the car's VIN.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Camaro-1996-LT1-5-7L-Engine-Computer-ECM-PCM-16214399-Programmed-to-your-VIN-/141740321665?hash=item210061ab81&vxp=mtr