Engine Swap Picking an ECU

I am currently in the process of swapping an LS2 into my 1989 corvette. This is my first engine swap, normally I have just modified and repaired my cars. I am trying to pick out an ECU and do not want to overlook something. I just finished the tuning course through hpa and am excited to try it out.

The cheapest option is to buy a refurbished corvette ECU for around 192 USD

other options are the aftermarket ones with the most expensive being the Holley terminator I believe.

With reflashing the corvette ECU would I be able to practice my tuning skills without having errors being output from the C6 corvette ECU being in a C4? Additionally, the aftermarket ecus are said to have a lot more flexibility and options. I have a manual car so do the extra launch control and other menus even help me out?

Side goal/note: I have a very cool retro dash that takes analogues signal inputs which I would like to use if possible. Do these ECU's output CAN data to dashes or analogue signals to dials? If it is only CAN I can make a convertor so not end of the world.

GM offered an LS2 crate package with a GM Performance PCM and calibration that's specifically designed for swaps, so that PCM/ROM may be something you'd be interested in.

Otherwise yes sometimes standard vehicle PCMs are used for swapping. if it's a manual transmission vehicle, that tends to simplify things. Automatics would require specific communication and joint functionality between PCM/TCM and only certain automatics would be compatible.

Can you tell us more about the gauges you want to use? With more specific info we'll better know what you need to drive them.

The stock ECU doesn't have programmable CAN functionality you can use to create custom data streams for aftermarket dashes/gauges, but that is something some standalones can do.

No recommendations, but I'd suggest you make "price" the last thing to consider after functionality, tunability, etc.

From experience, shopping for anything by "price" has been a mistake in the longer run.

Thank you both for your fast replies.

Mike, I have a picture of the gauge cluster below. I am still tracing out the old wiring harness in the car, but so far oil pressure, oil temp, coolant temp all come directly from the sensors themselves. I have a couple wiring diagrams I have found online in which they label the wires but not the communication protocol. My assumption was that since each signal had a separate wire input that they were analogue signals. This car was initially cable driven, manual. No ECU life saving functions, if the oil temp gets too high it just turns on a dash light. If any further information helps please let me know.

I started looking into the GM performance PCM as well, thank you for the suggestion.

Gord, I am not too concerned with price. I guess my real question is what should I be looking for in a new PCM? I have not tried to tune yet, so if there is a huge difference in aftermarket price tunability I would love to be aware of that beforehand. Currently I am under the impression that as long as it supports 8 cylinders and can be tuned, it will work on my car. If you have any other metrics that you look for when picking out PCMs I would be greatful to learn what to look for.

Ryan,

You're welcome.

I agree with your assumption based on the info you've provided. Splitting analog sensor wiring can skew readings so retaining sensor wiring to the dash, then using separate sensors for the ECU is one option.

This particular older dash happens to display more info than most though, so you'd be duplicating more than just water temp.

That said, some stock ECUs that could control the engine don't use an oil pressure or temp sensor, so you wouldn't duplicate those because the ECU can't use them anyway.

Given the scope of the project, which includes new wiring, ECU, engine, and given my appreciation of engine safety measures, I'd go with one of the standalones I'm happy with.

I'd want to log oil pressure and temp, be able to protect the engine immediately if something is wrong there or with fuel pressure.

That said, there are stock PCMs that can certainly run the engine, and would cost less.

Couldn't find a lot of info', but there were some who used a dual sender setup for things like water and oil, an analogue for the dash, and duplicate senders for the ECU. There are a couple of chaps who do custom harnesses for things like this, but i forgot to save them - might be worth chasing up?

TBH, I was quite surprised no-one seems to have duplicated the display with a more "LS friendly" rpm range, because the display has certainly got a lot of "retro" appeal, especially the one the chap updated with LEDs!

I agree, it's a really cool looking retro dash.

It would be neat to go with a Motec dash, then use Display Creator to create something like that look, but with a few tweaks like functional oil pressure, oil temp etc. displays rather than just warning lights.