newZman

My 84 Camaro does not have VATs or anything as far as theft deterant goes and the wire harness for the LT1 I am installing did not include the BCM (Body Control Module).

Will I be able to program the PCM to ignore the missing BCM? How will I make this work?

If any of you have done a similar project I'ld sure like to know what you did. The catch here is the 84 doesn't have anything.

Thanks all

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Program out VATS in the PCM.

newZman

Thanks, yeah we were pretty sure it could be programmed out, were not sure if the lack of a BCM would cause any issue as far as code generation etc... with the PCM.? Do you think there will be any issue with that?

Terry

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I know it isn't an issue with the LS1 PCM, and I don't recall hearing any different about LT1.

Try searching "lt1 vats" on this forum. If you select "thread title only" that should limit the hits to the more useful threads.

supr_fly03

iTrader: (2)

You wont have any issues as long as you get the VATS programmed out of the PCM like five7kid said.

In fact I dont think the F-bodies had a BCM. If they did I am sure it wasnt linked like say a mopar or anything so it wouldnt matter if you didnt have it.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

The 96-97 BCM isn't needed and everything associated with the BCM can be programmed out in the PCM or wired out. A lot of people with T56's and 96-97 LT1's swap out the pcm with one from a 95 anyway since a 96-97 wiring harness is a just a 95 harness with additional wires. The 95 pcm is easier to program and tune.

96-97 LT1 BCM schematic:
http://shbox.com/1/bcm_1996.jpg

1995-97 PCM pinouts:
http://shbox.com/1/1995_pcm_conn_a.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/1995_pcm_conn_b.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/1995_pcm_conn_c.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/1995_pcm_conn_d.jpg

newZman

Thanks five7kid and supr_fly03.

This is good news Firebat, I got a 94-95 PCM with the 97 motor, which also makes me think the wire harness is for the 95 as well. The original 97 wire harness was cut it looks like only the computer was salvaged.

Maybe I'll try to get the 97 pcm working with the wireharness I have first and then see if I can program the 95 pcm to work with it later. It sounds like I would want the 95 pcm if I am going to do any sort of changes to the motor since it is appearantly easier to program. Not sure what to do now. Either way I have to have or do programming to the PCM so maybe the 95 pcm from the get go is the way to go. Forgive my babbling I am thinking out loud. If anyone has a personal preference I'ld like to hear them.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

95 is the way to go for the PCM for a engine swap, unless you have automatic tranny - then you have to swap out a bunch of parts in it or install a 96-97 automatic. Madtuner has said a tuned 95 pcm vs a tuned 96-97 pcm will yield about 10 more hp. Cheaper to tune as well, at least through madtuner.com for a basic mail tune. The datamaster program can be used with a 94-95 which is nice if you want to monitor all the sensors through a laptop. I don't know what's all involved to put a 95 PCM on a 96-97 but I would imagine the knock sensor would be different. Search for "OBDI conversion" on LS1tech.com or camaroz28.com in the LT1 sections of those forums. 94-95 is OBDI, 96-97 is OBDII.

newZman

Thanks for that info I'll do some searching around to see if I can answer the questions you've raised. I am thinking about going ahead and putting the 97 PCM in for now since it came with the motor and has all the data for the car, at least as it came stock, on it. Maybe I should just figure out how to work with the OBDII stuff anyway.

Anyone know anything about the Hypertech Power Programmers for Chevrolet OBDII? The add I saw made it sound pretty good, only one car though.

GMan 3MT

iTrader: (4)

For the VATS, I used this on my '97 LT1 OBDII, and didn't have to tune the ecm. I do have some unrelated SES codes, but it starts and runs fine.

http://www.bakerelectronix.com/products_vats/

newZman

That's sounds like a great solution for folks who have VATS in their cars originally. I would have liked to see a picture.

I think I am going to program VATS out of the PCM for my situation, since my car never had VATS to begin with.

Thanks GMan 3MT

GMan 3MT

iTrader: (4)

~2"x1.5"x.5"

Shouldn't matter if your car had vats originally or not. Simply matters if the ecm that you're putting in requires the vats wave signal. I don't think this will do the grounding for the FP or not, it's been a while since my wiring was close to stock.