Plug and play LS swap, does anybody make one?
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2016
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Plug and play LS swap, does anybody make one?
I'm contemplating an LS swap in my '96 (obd 2 computer) but I want EVERYTHING to keep working in the car afterward, I don't want to have to settle for some stuff to no longer work after the swap. I want it to be like it came from the factory with an LS engine, no butchery and no wiring nightmare. Does anybody make a complete plug and play LS swap for a C4? If not are the items needed to do it available from separate vendors? I do not want to butcher the car in any way including the wiring harness, I want to just be able to bolt it all together and plug in a new underhood harness if at all possible. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 237
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From: Houston Texas
There's nothing off the shelf but when I did mine I made the harness with a plug to work like the factory engine harness. You can get the plug and and pins from digikey and a nice harness from PSICONVERSION.COM
Thread Starter
Pro
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I'm curious as to what exactly are the sacrifices on functionality that would be made. Getting the engine bolted in and connected to the exhaust and radiator isn't an issue and things like connecting the a/c compressor to the condenser and evaporator and connecting the power steering pump to the steering rack should be simple enough with the right bracketry but it's getting the computer to work with the LS fuel injection and ignition system that would most likely be the sticking point. Since the car has an OBD 2 computer (96 was the first year for it) I was hoping that it would be easier to make it more compatible with the LS engine than the 95 and earlier computer would be. If I used the water temp and oil pressure sending units, knock sensors, oxygen sensors, etc, from the LT1 engine on the LS engine all that should be left is to get the computer to work with the LS fuel injection and ignition system which I'm sure is a lot harder than it sounds but still, I would like to think that's it's somehow possible. Maybe I'm just hoping for too much, I dunno.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: New Jersey
I'm curious as to what exactly are the sacrifices on functionality that would be made. Getting the engine bolted in and connected to the exhaust and radiator isn't an issue and things like connecting the a/c compressor to the condenser and evaporator and connecting the power steering pump to the steering rack should be simple enough with the right bracketry but it's getting the computer to work with the LS fuel injection and ignition system that would most likely be the sticking point. Since the car has an OBD 2 computer (96 was the first year for it) I was hoping that it would be easier to make it more compatible with the LS engine than the 95 and earlier computer would be. If I used the water temp and oil pressure sending units, knock sensors, oxygen sensors, etc, from the LT1 engine on the LS engine all that should be left is to get the computer to work with the LS fuel injection and ignition system which I'm sure is a lot harder than it sounds but still, I would like to think that's it's somehow possible. Maybe I'm just hoping for too much, I dunno.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 237
Likes: 11
From: Houston Texas
I'm curious as to what exactly are the sacrifices on functionality that would be made. Getting the engine bolted in and connected to the exhaust and radiator isn't an issue and things like connecting the a/c compressor to the condenser and evaporator and connecting the power steering pump to the steering rack should be simple enough with the right bracketry but it's getting the computer to work with the LS fuel injection and ignition system that would most likely be the sticking point. Since the car has an OBD 2 computer (96 was the first year for it) I was hoping that it would be easier to make it more compatible with the LS engine than the 95 and earlier computer would be. If I used the water temp and oil pressure sending units, knock sensors, oxygen sensors, etc, from the LT1 engine on the LS engine all that should be left e is to get the computer to work with the LS fuel injection and ignition system which I'm sure is a lot harder than it sounds but still, I would like to think that's it's somehow possible. Maybe I'm just hoping for too much, I dunno.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Not sure but you might have to give the FX3 some VSS input? The ABS might have issues. The DIC might not be happy either. Not sure about the gauges as far as the LCD goes. I talked to a couple of people and the consensus is that unless I was in love with the car and planned to keep it forever, it would be cheaper and easier, thus less money to get a car with an LS motor than to make one work unless you don't care about whatever is there. Motor is easy. The other parts, well, "Deposit credit card and hold on" was the general answer. No firm quotes.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 237
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From: Houston Texas
Not sure but you might have to give the FX3 some VSS input? The ABS might have issues. The DIC might not be happy either. Not sure about the gauges as far as the LCD goes. I talked to a couple of people and the consensus is that unless I was in love with the car and planned to keep it forever, it would be cheaper and easier, thus less money to get a car with an LS motor than to make one work unless you don't care about whatever is there. Motor is easy. The other parts, well, "Deposit credit card and hold on" was the general answer. No firm quotes.
By no means is a proper ls swap a cheap endeavor, it made sense for me for the reliability at the power level I need. I blew the original motor in the c4 and needed a replacement and decided on the ls3, glad I did. I also look at from the standpoint that the motor is always removable for other projects and a stock c4 engine can easily be put back or scrap the car and keep the good components.
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Team Owner
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From: Hartford WI
Well it depends on what trans you use, I used the factory zf6 so the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) did not change. It's a 40k ppm sensor which is also used in other gm trans and gearboxes like a f body t56. Regardless it goes to the central control module then to the cluster to give a speed reading. Abs and fx3 are separate systems non of which communicate with the factory ecm.
By no means is a proper ls swap a cheap endeavor, it made sense for me for the reliability at the power level I need. I blew the original motor in the c4 and needed a replacement and decided on the ls3, glad I did. I also look at from the standpoint that the motor is always removable for other projects and a stock c4 engine can easily be put back or scrap the car and keep the good components.
By no means is a proper ls swap a cheap endeavor, it made sense for me for the reliability at the power level I need. I blew the original motor in the c4 and needed a replacement and decided on the ls3, glad I did. I also look at from the standpoint that the motor is always removable for other projects and a stock c4 engine can easily be put back or scrap the car and keep the good components.
From what I hear, I could have sold my car and put the money towards an LS equipped car and it would be cheaper to buy the C5 or a high mileage C6 and have all the better car.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 237
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From: Houston Texas
700R4 and would probably have to swap to something that is controllable by the LS computer? So where does the FX3 get the VSS reading from to modulate the stiffness? ABS isn't integrated into some sort of control in the LS ECM and can be stand alone? I heard it both ways.
From what I hear, I could have sold my car and put the money towards an LS equipped car and it would be cheaper to buy the C5 or a high mileage C6 and have all the better car.
From what I hear, I could have sold my car and put the money towards an LS equipped car and it would be cheaper to buy the C5 or a high mileage C6 and have all the better car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
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From: Hartford WI
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Michigan
The LS has much easier power combinations, especially if you want to go boosted
The LS is COP and can run better at higher RPMs
The LS in general is stronger
The LS is just newer technology and the in thing right now.
I don't plan to go LS in a C4 because as OP stated, I just want everything to work as it did from the factory. I think for the money and trouble, if you want an LS just go C5. Otherwise stick to the SBC. There is no reason a Heads/Cam/Headers can't make a C4 a very fun car. I can see it both ways, but if you want an LS go to a car that already has an LS. If you want a C4 and have more power, build your SBC.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
About every shop out there can tune an LS, no matter what your combo.
The LS has much easier power combinations, especially if you want to go boosted
The LS is COP and can run better at higher RPMs
The LS in general is stronger
The LS is just newer technology and the in thing right now.
I don't plan to go LS in a C4 because as OP stated, I just want everything to work as it did from the factory. I think for the money and trouble, if you want an LS just go C5. Otherwise stick to the SBC. There is no reason a Heads/Cam/Headers can't make a C4 a very fun car. I can see it both ways, but if you want an LS go to a car that already has an LS. If you want a C4 and have more power, build your SBC.
The LS has much easier power combinations, especially if you want to go boosted
The LS is COP and can run better at higher RPMs
The LS in general is stronger
The LS is just newer technology and the in thing right now.
I don't plan to go LS in a C4 because as OP stated, I just want everything to work as it did from the factory. I think for the money and trouble, if you want an LS just go C5. Otherwise stick to the SBC. There is no reason a Heads/Cam/Headers can't make a C4 a very fun car. I can see it both ways, but if you want an LS go to a car that already has an LS. If you want a C4 and have more power, build your SBC.
ill disagree with the suggestion that newer tech is always better. Maybe for the LS it is, but many times i see things cheapened up (ex Windows millenium vs windows 98, the 1982 corvette vs the 69 corvette, etc).
my point has always been if i can make 1000 rwhp with a splayed 4 bolt sbc but could make 1200 rwhp with an lsx - who cares, its going to come down to traction /driver / suspension.
also dont rely on tuners. Learn to tune it yourself !
Last edited by dizwiz24; Feb 20, 2020 at 08:47 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Ohio
Your reluctance to admit its a better engine is absolutely comical at this point.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: Michigan
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Theres little technical merit to my argument.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Ohio
That is a poor argument. There was a lot of constraints that were forced on OEMs during that time. Given the constraints they were placed under I think they did very well in 82. I think you have rosey glasses looking at HP numbers IMO and besides the 82 was basically the same car. Now compare it to an 84 and the 84 was a much better package hands down except for a HP number.
The base model 69 corvette was a L48 with 300 HP (Gross rating). In 72 when they switched them all to net ratings, the base corvette only made 200 HP.
No, the 82 corvette wasn't any faster or more powerful (that remained almost EXACTLY the same).
It WAS the better car, but strong emissions regulations was to blame for the low power, not lack of advancing technology.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Ohio
