Swapping 12200411 PCM into 98 Chevy Truck

[350SS]

I want to swap a 12200411 from a 01 or 02 Chevy Express van (which is supported by EFILive) into my 98 Chevy truck (which is not supported to my knowledge) obviously so that I can tune my truck myself and will be able to use the custom OS for 2 bar SD operation. For reference the 12200411 PCM uses OS 12208322 and can be converted to the cooresponding custom OS 01270001 I believe.

I have a few of questions about the swap and EFI Live in general:

1. Will I be able to put the vin from my 98 into the 01 pcm so that it will read the correct vin when I go to smog my truck?

2. I would like to have a spare PCM handy in case something fries, and eventually will build a bench harness for testing purposes. Does each PCM require it's own license, or will it only require one if it's going into the same vehicle?

3. Does EFI Live require that you use a licence to scan and save a file? To do a full reflash of a PCM?

4. Is the 2 step rev limiter implemented in the 01270001 OS?

I'm a real noobie to this and haven't purchased yet, so I hope I'm explaining this correctly. If I can't pull this off, it probably won't make much sense for me to buy it, so any insight is appreciated! Thanks! :)

[Black02SS]

I want to swap a 12200411 from a 01 or 02 Chevy Express van (which is supported by EFILive) into my 98 Chevy truck (which is not supported to my knowledge) obviously so that I can tune my truck myself and will be able to use the custom OS for 2 bar SD operation. For reference the 12200411 PCM uses OS 12208322 and can be converted to the cooresponding custom OS 01270001 I believe.

I have a few of questions about the swap and EFI Live in general:

1. Will I be able to put the vin from my 98 into the 01 pcm so that it will read the correct vin when I go to smog my truck?

2. I would like to have a spare PCM handy in case something fries, and eventually will build a bench harness for testing purposes. Does each PCM require it's own license, or will it only require one if it's going into the same vehicle?

3. Does EFI Live require that you use a licence to scan and save a file? To do a full reflash of a PCM?

4. Is the 2 step rev limiter implemented in the 01270001 OS?

I'm a real noobie to this and haven't purchased yet, so I hope I'm explaining this correctly. If I can't pull this off, it probably won't make much sense for me to buy it, so any insight is appreciated! Thanks! :)
As far as I know, you can not take a 01 OS and put it on a 98 which they don't support. You would need to upgrade your PCM and wiring harness to a year that is supported.

[ChipsByAl]

I have done this swap already. I cannot answer if the VIN will go in the 01-02 PCM, but if I get time I will give it a try. The four current PCM connectors need to be disassembled and the wires installed in the new 80 pin type connectors. Some functions are not available and the a/c system needs some different configuring. My project was a 97 V6 C1500. You will need full schematics for each vehicle and plenty of patience. Work out all details before you pull out the first wire, many are the same color and very difficult to identify afterwards.
I also have swapped the 12200411 PCM into the 98 f-car. This gives you the later model PCM benefits and RoadRunner capabilities. Eventually a web page will be available with full documentation and pics.
Al

[Tydriver]

Wow, the irony here.. Maybe talk to this guy ??

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

[350SS]

As far as I know, you can not take a 01 OS and put it on a 98 which they don't support. You would need to upgrade your PCM and wiring harness to a year that is supported.

Right, I was meaning swapping the whole PCM. I'm planning on repinning the pcm connectors from the 4 used for the 98 to the 2 80 pin Gen III connectors ;)

[350SS]

I have done this swap already. I cannot answer if the VIN will go in the 01-02 PCM, but if I get time I will give it a try. The four current PCM connectors need to be disassembled and the wires installed in the new 80 pin type connectors. Some functions are not available and the a/c system needs some different configuring. My project was a 97 V6 C1500. You will need full schematics for each vehicle and plenty of patience. Work out all details before you pull out the first wire, many are the same color and very difficult to identify afterwards.
I also have swapped the 12200411 PCM into the 98 f-car. This gives you the later model PCM benefits and RoadRunner capabilities. Eventually a web page will be available with full documentation and pics.
Al
Can you give a little more detail w/ respect to the AC system needing configuring? I have pretty much mapped out the wiring w/ regards to what pins on the 98 pcm go where in the 411 pcm, and to me the schematics for the AC looked the same if I remember correctly, I'll have to go back and look.

I'm curious, when you put the 411 pcm into the F-body, how did you change it so it recognized the different crank and cam sensors?

[350SS]

Wow, the irony here.. Maybe talk to this guy ??

http://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?t=3261
Yeah, I saw that and was like :rockon: . It never hurts to know someone else has pulled off what you're trying to do.

[Lextech]

350SS Hey Max--I think that 411 PCM is also used in LS engined cars, so it can read those inputs.

[350SS]

350SS Hey Max--I think that 411 PCM is also used in LS engined cars, so it can read those inputs.
Right, but I guess my question is, where do you configure in the pcm whether it needs to read a 4x or 60-2 crank sensor and 1x or 2x cam sensor? Is this an OS or .tun issue?

[350SS]

I want to swap a 12200411 from a 01 or 02 Chevy Express van (which is supported by EFILive) into my 98 Chevy truck (which is not supported to my knowledge) obviously so that I can tune my truck myself and will be able to use the custom OS for 2 bar SD operation. For reference the 12200411 PCM uses OS 12208322 and can be converted to the cooresponding custom OS 01270001 I believe.

I have a few of questions about the swap and EFI Live in general:

1. Will I be able to put the vin from my 98 into the 01 pcm so that it will read the correct vin when I go to smog my truck?

2. I would like to have a spare PCM handy in case something fries, and eventually will build a bench harness for testing purposes. Does each PCM require it's own license, or will it only require one if it's going into the same vehicle?

3. Does EFI Live require that you use a licence to scan and save a file? To do a full reflash of a PCM?

4. Is the 2 step rev limiter implemented in the 01270001 OS?

I'm a real noobie to this and haven't purchased yet, so I hope I'm explaining this correctly. If I can't pull this off, it probably won't make much sense for me to buy it, so any insight is appreciated! Thanks! :)

Anyone able to answer these 4 questions?

[joecar]

1. Will I be able to put the vin from my 98 into the 01 pcm so that it will read the correct vin when I go to smog my truck?

2. I would like to have a spare PCM handy in case something fries, and eventually will build a bench harness for testing purposes. Does each PCM require it's own license, or will it only require one if it's going into the same vehicle?

3. Does EFI Live require that you use a licence to scan and save a file? To do a full reflash of a PCM?

4. Is the 2 step rev limiter implemented in the 01270001 OS? 1. You should be able to change the vin using the Scan Tool (goto Bidirectional->Change VIN).

2. Each PCM that you flash requires its own license based on PCM serial number (except 97/98) regardless of VIN/vehicle;
if not already allocated, a license is allocated when you flash a particular PCM for the first time (goto Help->FlashScan PCM Licensing).

3. PCM license is only required when flashing; for scanning/saving (and generally connecting to vehicle to scan or read the PCM) you may need the software registration key and cable serial number (goto Help->Register EFILive).

4. Don't know, need someone else's input here.

[350SS]

1. You should be able to change the vin using the Scan Tool (goto Bidirectional->Change VIN).

2. Each PCM that you flash requires its own license based on PCM serial number (except 97/98) regardless of VIN/vehicle;
if not already allocated, a license is allocated when you flash a particular PCM for the first time (goto Help->FlashScan PCM Licensing).

3. PCM license is only required when flashing; for scanning/saving (and generally connecting to vehicle to scan or read the PCM) you may need the software registration key and cable serial number (goto Help->Register EFILive).

4. Don't know, need someone else's input here.
Great! Thanks....:)

[ChipsByAl]

Right, but I guess my question is, where do you configure in the pcm whether it needs to read a 4x or 60-2 crank sensor and 1x or 2x cam sensor? Is this an OS or .tun issue?

I have done two different type conversions. The F-car has no problems with the the crank/cam sensors as they are identical. The other job is similar to the TPI setup above. We used the HVS (high voltage switch) distributor along with the plastic front timing cover with crank sensor. The 01-02 Express Van has this crank/cam sensor combination and therefore works fine.
I still have not attempted to change the VIN to the 1998 type VIN. How does the smog police determine your PCM's VIN? Another question is would the scan device be generic enough to read a 1998 VIN in a PCM with 2001-2002 communication protocols?
AL

[350SS]

I have done two different type conversions. The F-car has no problems with the the crank/cam sensors as they are identical. ... How does the smog police determine your PCM's VIN? Another question is would the scan device be generic enough to read a 1998 VIN in a PCM with 2001-2002 communication protocols?
AL

Ok, so I guess I'm missing something...did the 12200411 PCM that you used in the 98 F-car swap come from a later year F-car or vehicle that uses the same crank, cam sensor setup?

I'm not sure if the smog police determines your vin from the pcm, I thought that maybe when they hooked up the OBD II scanner that it might.


1. You should be able to change the vin using the Scan Tool (goto Bidirectional->Change VIN).

I found out that a buddy of mine put the vin from a 95 pickup into an '02 pcm controlling a 6.0L/4L80E combo, so I think were ok on putting the 98 vin into an 01-02 pcm, and based on the answer above, I think you can do this just via the scanner function :)

Thanks for the help.

[ChipsByAl]

The 12200411 PCM can be used in a variety of vehicles. The software loaded into it determines the vehicle it will be running. You can easily swap its contents from a Camaro to a C1500 and then to an Express Van. This would be the base file you need to use. I recommend the RoadRunner as well. You can make many changes quickly on the fly to get the base file honed in. The Express has a different air intake system from your truck and requires tweaking.
Al

[Lextech]

Al, Could you elaborate on the air intake system? They both use the 3 wire MAF and separate IAT sensor. Are they different somehow? --As in table configuration? Thanks----Lextech

[joecar]

Lex, welcome to the forum. :cheers:

[ChipsByAl]

The Express van has a harsh 90 degree turn in the air intake and a built in MAF. The sensors all work the same, mostly VE differences would be noted.
Al

[350SS]

Al, Could you elaborate on the air intake system? They both use the 3 wire MAF and separate IAT sensor. Are they different somehow? --As in table configuration? Thanks----Lextech
I'm pretty sure Hog over on the PA performance board swapped out the 85mm Z06 maf into his truck, maybe James too...you might want to hit them up :bash:

[350SS]

hmmm...

http://www.pacificp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1645&highlight=maf

[Lextech]

Ya I saw that thread. I have Tunercat, and was going to install the 85mm MAF which I have, but none of the frequency numbers for the stock MAF match the frequency numbers that I am reading on my PCM. I haven't tried it out yet.

[scuzz]

Ya I saw that thread. I have Tunercat, and was going to install the 85mm MAF which I have, but none of the frequency numbers for the stock MAF match the frequency numbers that I am reading on my PCM. I haven't tried it out yet.
I think S10Wildside did it. You might check with him.
Ron

[scuzz]

I have done this swap already. I cannot answer if the VIN will go in the 01-02 PCM, but if I get time I will give it a try. The four current PCM connectors need to be disassembled and the wires installed in the new 80 pin type connectors. Some functions are not available and the a/c system needs some different configuring. My project was a 97 V6 C1500. You will need full schematics for each vehicle and plenty of patience. Work out all details before you pull out the first wire, many are the same color and very difficult to identify afterwards.
I also have swapped the 12200411 PCM into the 98 f-car. This gives you the later model PCM benefits and RoadRunner capabilities. Eventually a web page will be available with full documentation and pics.
Al
Do you know where this page will end up being posted? A lot of interest is starting to come up on this swap.
Ron

[Highlander]

the biggest question is: with the 4x crank signal tun file from the express van, can the computer control 8 coils individually???????

[Lextech]

No-I don't think so. You would need it programed for an LS1 type engine and use it's type of crank and cam sensor inputs------As far as I know.

[Highlander]

Again,
What i want is a COP and 4x crank signal w/o the use of any other stuff...

[ChipsByAl]

It won't work as is. You may be able to locate some adapter/gadget to work but as is the harness does not support 8 coils. The vortec crank trigger in my opinion doesn't have the resolution to accurately fire a CNP ignition system. The engine segments are different. The OS is common, at least on the 2002 system, but if you use the F or Y engine segment for CNP, then you need the 24x crank trigger.
Al

[Highlander]

Exactly.. which has been the biggest hurdle thus far... Although i think that the boosted portion is far more important, I guess that if i can't go to the COP system and boost and all the other goodies, I'm better off with the lt1 pcm.

[scuzz]

This 0411 PCM stuff is really taking off.
There's posts on a half dozen forum or so.
Great!

[Supervortec383]

Hey lextech, do you know if the 411 swap would pass California smog with the van calibration and vin? I hear your the expert on this. Thanks

[Lextech]

There have been a lot of 0411 PCM swaps in California. I have never heard of an issue. You might want to put your VIN in the PCM. You should be fine.

Jeff