E40 to E38 Conversion?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Lol. For those not in the know the '05 came with a different PCM than all later model years. It's kind of a bastard child because of the limited usage. Switching to the new PCM has several advantages.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,475
Likes: 97
From: KY/TN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
I wonder if it would be easier if you just swapped the cavity plugs at the ECM; obviously you would have to know the pin layout of both controllers.
Last edited by erick_e; Mar 19, 2016 at 01:58 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,949
Likes: 263
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I've wondered myself Bill, but, what issue specifically won't your computer allow you to change? I've found I'm able to adjust everything I wanted to with my E40... of course, I certainly don't test the E40 limits like you do.
Thinking out loud here, I wonder if the BCM is going to like being married to the new computer. I know when guys put our engines, or E38 engines more specifically into hot rods or muscle cars, they have to have the security systems disabled.
I guess to state my top question more specifically, I bet this will be a lot of work, of course not impossible. Diabosport in Delray Beach near me got the Hellcat computer working in the old Dart on Fast and Loud so I'm thinking anything is technically possible, but the real question is why. What problem are you trying to solve by doing it and is that problem so large that it's worth the headache and cost?
I realize you haven't had many headaches with your car lately <ducks the right cross at his head> lol
Thinking out loud here, I wonder if the BCM is going to like being married to the new computer. I know when guys put our engines, or E38 engines more specifically into hot rods or muscle cars, they have to have the security systems disabled.
I guess to state my top question more specifically, I bet this will be a lot of work, of course not impossible. Diabosport in Delray Beach near me got the Hellcat computer working in the old Dart on Fast and Loud so I'm thinking anything is technically possible, but the real question is why. What problem are you trying to solve by doing it and is that problem so large that it's worth the headache and cost?
I realize you haven't had many headaches with your car lately <ducks the right cross at his head> lol
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
I thought of repining but the pins are different on the PCM's. The E40 is round pins and the E38 is small spades.
Really there isn't much advantage Joe. I've been able to work around things like the injector limits by scaling the tune 50% and doubling stoich (yes both to get my 2k FIC injectors to work). It has the 2.5 bar SD OS with HPT. No real obvious advantages other than faster framerate when scanning but apparently HPT 3.0 negates that advantage.
The main reason is I have a reoccurring cam sensor code issue I've been fighting for literally years. Ohmed wires, continuity tests, splitting off the sensor wire to verify cam counts along with HPT. Replaced the portion that goes up along the timing cover. After moving the PCM for the UPP kit it got lots more prevalent. Then we found that if I jiggle the harness by the PCM it goes away and then comes back randomly. Since my motor is out I'm going to cut open the harness and look for anything obvious and had thought about replacing the harness altogether but that's costly. So the deal on the E38 stuff got me thinking. Yes the BCM and PCM are married by VIN.
Really there isn't much advantage Joe. I've been able to work around things like the injector limits by scaling the tune 50% and doubling stoich (yes both to get my 2k FIC injectors to work). It has the 2.5 bar SD OS with HPT. No real obvious advantages other than faster framerate when scanning but apparently HPT 3.0 negates that advantage.
The main reason is I have a reoccurring cam sensor code issue I've been fighting for literally years. Ohmed wires, continuity tests, splitting off the sensor wire to verify cam counts along with HPT. Replaced the portion that goes up along the timing cover. After moving the PCM for the UPP kit it got lots more prevalent. Then we found that if I jiggle the harness by the PCM it goes away and then comes back randomly. Since my motor is out I'm going to cut open the harness and look for anything obvious and had thought about replacing the harness altogether but that's costly. So the deal on the E38 stuff got me thinking. Yes the BCM and PCM are married by VIN.
Last edited by 5 Liter Eater; Mar 19, 2016 at 10:44 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,949
Likes: 263
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Bill I think trying to change out will open a can of worms for virtually no benefit. You mastered tricking our old computer into doing what you want and while our scanner is slow, it's not as bad as a c5 and it's always gotten things done for me, sounds like you too.
I'd be checking the wiring up around the PCM just as you said, particularly the connection of the cam sensor wire into the the pin and then into the PCM connector, before I cut into the harness, finding nothing there, I'd certainly cut into the harness and look for a break. As you know they often happen at stress points.
I've not upgraded to 3.0... what did that do to the scanner for us?
edit - you could just buy a pin and run a new wire and pin it into the connector for your cam sensor, and bypass the bad wire. That's save a lot of headache... I was able to very accurately put a delphi pin on a wire in my harley with out the special crimping tool, I just looked at the others and did it with small pliers, it's not magic. Sort of like your fan connector back in the day! lol
I'd be checking the wiring up around the PCM just as you said, particularly the connection of the cam sensor wire into the the pin and then into the PCM connector, before I cut into the harness, finding nothing there, I'd certainly cut into the harness and look for a break. As you know they often happen at stress points.
I've not upgraded to 3.0... what did that do to the scanner for us?
edit - you could just buy a pin and run a new wire and pin it into the connector for your cam sensor, and bypass the bad wire. That's save a lot of headache... I was able to very accurately put a delphi pin on a wire in my harley with out the special crimping tool, I just looked at the others and did it with small pliers, it's not magic. Sort of like your fan connector back in the day! lol
Last edited by Joe_G; Mar 19, 2016 at 11:08 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I mentioned this to 'Steck one time and his response was basically the 05 BCM may not play nice with an E38 ECM, so doubtful it's worth the effort (if it's even possible short of changing BCM and God knows what other modules)
Scanning on HPT V3 is pretty decent now, even on an E40.
Honestly I wouldn't bother. Either go standalone or leave it as-is
Scanning on HPT V3 is pretty decent now, even on an E40.
Honestly I wouldn't bother. Either go standalone or leave it as-is
Last edited by schpenxel; Mar 19, 2016 at 11:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
You're probably right. Lots of work to run all the new stuff, redo my tune, debug new gremlins, etc.
I haven't upgraded either yet but apparently the 3.0 version uses the bus a lot more efficiently and scans all the PCM platforms much faster.
I looked at the pins in the PCM connection when I pinned it for my Flex fuel and have taken it apart again after it acted up. It looks good. So the next thing is looking at the wires themselves. And yea, worse comes to worst I can run new wires to the cam sensor.
I haven't upgraded either yet but apparently the 3.0 version uses the bus a lot more efficiently and scans all the PCM platforms much faster.
I looked at the pins in the PCM connection when I pinned it for my Flex fuel and have taken it apart again after it acted up. It looks good. So the next thing is looking at the wires themselves. And yea, worse comes to worst I can run new wires to the cam sensor.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
But, but, but, it would get rid of the need to put the car in reverse when shutting it down!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,949
Likes: 263
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,016
Likes: 93
From: St. Louis, MO
Tech Contributor
Swapping your engine too? E38 requires a 58x reluctor and a 4x on the cam. Any CAN module would have to be replaced along with anything that runs on a serial line because the protocol will be different. Gauge cluster, door lock receivers, even the radio may not function unless replaced.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
I feel sad.... Nobody talked to ME about it..... :(
I've wondered myself Bill, but, what issue specifically won't your computer allow you to change? I've found I'm able to adjust everything I wanted to with my E40... of course, I certainly don't test the E40 limits like you do.
Thinking out loud here, I wonder if the BCM is going to like being married to the new computer. I know when guys put our engines, or E38 engines more specifically into hot rods or muscle cars, they have to have the security systems disabled.
I guess to state my top question more specifically, I bet this will be a lot of work, of course not impossible. Diabosport in Delray Beach near me got the Hellcat computer working in the old Dart on Fast and Loud so I'm thinking anything is technically possible, but the real question is why. What problem are you trying to solve by doing it and is that problem so large that it's worth the headache and cost?
I realize you haven't had many headaches with your car lately <ducks the right cross at his head> lol
Thinking out loud here, I wonder if the BCM is going to like being married to the new computer. I know when guys put our engines, or E38 engines more specifically into hot rods or muscle cars, they have to have the security systems disabled.
I guess to state my top question more specifically, I bet this will be a lot of work, of course not impossible. Diabosport in Delray Beach near me got the Hellcat computer working in the old Dart on Fast and Loud so I'm thinking anything is technically possible, but the real question is why. What problem are you trying to solve by doing it and is that problem so large that it's worth the headache and cost?
I realize you haven't had many headaches with your car lately <ducks the right cross at his head> lol
I feel sad.... Nobody talked to ME about it.....
What gives Joe G?!?!?!
Chuck CoW
