I am considering using an 2010 Camaro LS3 in a project I am starting. It is a complete engine / standard trans out of a 2010 Camaro. I was wondering what would be the best (easiest) ecm to use with this engine. It came complete with the wiring harness, but no ecm.
Ostensibly, the PCM that came with it. Ideally you would have the original dash(gauge cluster), ignition switch assembly and keys. This would allow you to readily start and run the engine. Any tuner worth their salt would then be able to disable all the safety, emission, and antiteft nannies. If where ever the engine was purchased is selling the original pcm/gauge/keys seperately, for a reasonable price, I would suggest purchasing those items for the 'easy' part. Next would be to check if GM Performance has any stand alone pcms for use with an LS3 for plug & play. 'Stand alone' aftermarket systems can be $2K and still require programming/tuning.
I’ve never been involved with something quite that modern. But I’d find the local tuner, likely a Corvette shop, and talk to them. They’ll either provide or tell you what to buy, and what they can do to tune it for your car. The earlier (early 90’s) ECM’s I’ve used (like the old Accel ones) weren’t nearly as sophisticated as the factory units. So if you can use one of those factory units and the tuner can deal with it, it’ll probably be better in the long run. Up here by Seattle, those are mostly the chassis dyno guys. Put your location in and you might get a recommendation. Or as Mad Mike said, look for the GM plug and play stuff.
If you’re using a factory intake, injectors, throttle body, etc., then use a factory computer. There are a ton of people out there offering the service of removing the Vehicle Anti- Theft programming from stock computers. Will even program it for the gear and tire size you’re running for speedo accuracy. Use an aftermarket harness unless you want to spend an eternity sorting out a factory harness and probably missing something. Look to HPI Injectors for the harness.
I use these quite a bit. Never a problem. https://fitechefi.com/product/ultim...UPvc0Ejf4TFr-tF5oz7mLMFo5NlqTfw4siFWMxhW9KmCY
Realize that there are several variations of the LS3. Gm does sell a programmed ECU for use with their crate engines. The crate versions vary by HP rating. You probably have the 430 HP one but should ask the seller if he has the underhood info tag or the Vin number. That said, many companies (as well as established local tuners) have the factory tune info stored somewhere due to programming alternative tunes for owners. They can download the stock tune into a computer for your vehicle. They can also make a modified tune to produce even more HP without loosing driveability. You will want to insure the "VATs"(Vehicle Anti-Theft) is deleted along with a few other things you probably don't need. You probably won't be running a catalytic converter or need 4 O2 sensors. I had a company called Speartech send me a harness and reprogram my computer for a 4L80 transmission. I think they are owned by Holley now but they always had a good reputation. I would go with a stand alone aftermarket harness so you aren't burdened with a lot of factory interrelated gobledgook. This is what we are using in my son's 56 pickup with a 6.0 LY6 engine. (Sorry, posted that pic twice) I put an LS3 (480HP) with a Tremec 5 speed in my S10. For that I used a company called "Current Performance". They also make excellent harnesses and reprogram ECUs. Here are the instructions that came with my crate engine from GM LS3 480 This is for a GM crate harness. I used the Current Performance harness because it plugged directly to my S10 harness and allowed the stock dash guages to function properly. Not exactly what you are looking for, but this might give you a little more fodder.
The easiest is Holley Terminator X/X-Max as it is a complete wiring harness and self learning/easily tuneable ECU. The cheapest is a stock wiring harness & PCM, modified for your application. You can get an Engine Control system from GM Performance, but they are expensive for what you're getting. There are a bunch of different aftermarket stand alone harness manufacturers that utilize stock and aftermarket ECU's. Stay away from anything FiTech or Aces EFI, it's all hot garbage. Haltech has recently come out with their "Rebel LS" system, which is their version of Holley's Terminator X systems and similarly priced, but not as popular in the US. With the Holley and Haltech, you can have it fully wired and running in the same day.
Like others have said, ID your LS3 and get a factory ECU that matches it. When you're done, find a dyno shop in your area that can tune it and you're off and running. Any decent dyno shop should be able to access the ECU via laptop and HP Tuners or something similar. You might get away with the stock, factory tune, but the dyno shop will be able to clear out a bunch of extra junk that you probably won't be using (like extra O2 sensors, etc.) and they can smooth out any inconsistencies that might arise from where the MAF sensor is located and any interference, etc that may show up in the trims. I just put an LS3 connect-and-cruise in a '57 Chevy wagon and the dyno shop was able to improve the overall driveability, idle, and other driving characteristics. Well worth the $700.
Well said Texas Hardcore. ^^^^^^^ I have to agree that getting the Holley is probably the best way to go. One difference you want to be aware of is that most (ALL ?) aftermarket systems don't use a MAF sensor. The MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor measures the air flowing into the engine and is usually mounted in an "intake tube" ahead of the throttle body. This may be better if you are building an old Hot Rod that would look odd with a tube......so going to the aftermarket system eliminates the MAF sensor and also the need for an electronic throttle pedal. Holley also conducts weekend classes for people wanting to improve their understanding of EFI. The basic stuff is pretty simple to understand, and you don't have to learn codes or anything. Basically its pretty simple to set up and operate. Don't buy a used one, because they are often older versions. Edit: Something else......using the OEM ECU requires someone to purchase a tuning program (license) to use when you want to make changes or experiment with your tuning........or go pay someone who has the equipment to tune for you. That means $$$$$ every time you want to change something. With the aftermarket system, you get a small hand held screen that shows you what your engine is doing. You can save that tune and then copy it and play around with changing some of the info. Make a special tune for racing. Its all displayed on the screen and and you simply tell it to change the fuel/air ratio from whats on the screen to something else. You do it all yourself any time you want. You can switch from one tune to another saved tune when you go to the strip or on a long trip.
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