The PCM and harness combination used in '01+ Chevy Express vans is unique. Since it's an LS1-era PCM (part # 12200411), it can be tuned by software such as HPTuners or its competitors. The harness and flash programming that came on the Express Vans is designed to work with an SBC motor that has an LT1-style front cover.

First, some relevant reading material:

http://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?t=3261
http://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?t=3306
http://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?t=276

So, L98 guys have done it, but it doesn't look like anyone with an LT1 has posted up any attempts. Has anybody on here taken a shot at this conversion? It might open up a whole new tuning market for guys who wanted more choices to tune their LT1 cars.

Thanks!

 

Craig Moates & co were apparenly looking into doing this (LS1 PCM on LT1). I shared a few email threads with him about it, not sure where he went with it (he's probably testing it now - lol).

I agree, this would create a huge opportunity.

 

Does anyone have pictures of the engine that went in the vans? That would help alot in getting an idea of how the front cover is designed and what kind of ignition system you'd need.

 

My understanding is you could use a 1996-1997 LT1 front cover, which has a provision for a crank shaft position sensor, with the proper crank reluctor (e.g. from a 96-99 Vortec V8) to make this work on the LT1s.

 

I dont see how this would help? What will it give you ore options on tuning? I dont think it would unless the LS+ cars have diff options than ours.

 

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...highlight=swap

 

Once you have the same crank pickup mechanism as the Express Van, you can use the Express Van PCM code, with the LS1 PCM, to run an LT1, which can be tuned by EFILive, HP Tuners. That's the theory, anyway.

I'd prefer a different approach, personally. The opti already provides a good signaling mechanism which could be leveraged by LS1 PCM code. The opti provides, with respect to the crank shaft, 180x signalling. The LS1 uses a 24x crank shaft sensor, so technically some electronics in between the opti's high resolution signal and the PCM could convert the 180x signal to a 24x signal. Then you have a solution that works for people that don't have an OBD2 car with the provision for a crank shaft position sensor.

 

The TPI guys have done it.. anyone considered getting the dist. hole cut over at lt1intake and running the vortech dist?

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showth...osition+sensor

 

...or if you used the opti or crank sensor triggering, you could go "distributorless" like the LS1...

 

this would be the way to go

 

If I was going to go that far I would just run an EDIS-8 and megasquirt.. gain distributorless ign, WB02 feedback, and lose the opti completely.. what are the ultimate goals here? easiest implementation of the LS1 PCM?

 

I believe the easiest implementation would be to retain the opti, use the opti's signaling mechanism, and electronically OR the 8 coil outputs from the PCM together to the single LT1 coil. This would require no modifications at all, except there'd have to be a signal translator in between the opti and the PCM to translate the 180x opti signal into the 24x signal the LS1 PCM expects.

Or, if what they say about using the express van code is true, retaining the opti and using the vortec crank position sensor.

 

any news on this?

Eric

 

I wish I had some news! I'd love to see an LS1 PCM running my 1994 Impala SS. This is on my list of to-investigates once I finish the list of to-dos for the GT Tuner.

 

Anyone ever get this to work?