Trying to wrap my head around LS Swap wiring for my 96 C1500

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Matt327

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I'm planning on swapping a LQ4 into my 96 in place of a 5.7. It seems fairly straightforward when using the stock LS wiring harness and PCM (i've seen how to strip down the obs harness and then make the LS a standalone and integrate) That was fine and good, then Holley released the Terminator X, now i'm thinking of going that way.

To integrate this into my truck i'm thinking i'd have to strip down the OBS harness and remove all engine and trans. wiring, install the TerminatorX and then move things like fuel pump and other stuff over to the X from the stock PCM, am I right so far?

How then would I make the stock gauge cluster work as well as the stock AC? does the stock PCM stay and perform some of these functions or is it dead?

I'm new and doing all the research I can on this subject, thanks in advance.
 

blacksport

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i did the swap on a 1992 simple imo that terminator x is more money than it's worth but if price is no object knock yourself out
 

Jglew82

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I would strongly consider using all the LQ4 running gear and integrate it instead of using the Holley system. Not knocking the Holley, but unless you are wanting a true standalone with boost control, nitrous, etc capabilities, the GM PCM and harness are more than capable of running a reliable street machine with HP tuners. Check out this for info to integrate your 96 with the Gen 3 stuff: http://lt1swap.com/gmt400swap/index.htm
 

RDF1

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Only way the X would be worth it is if you didn't already have the wiring harness nor tuning capabilities (efi live - hp tuners).
If it's going to stay a stock engine then you could do a mail order tune and ride.
If your wanting FI or more fun in the future and didn't have tuning software, the terminator x would be neat.
I so plan on trying out the terminator max on my next turbo project.

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Matt327

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i do have the stock LS harness and PCM. i DO NOT have HPtuners. The engine is going to be set up for mild boost, but not right off the bat. My concern is getting the engine to run with a cam on HPTuners with the fact that i have no idea how to tune. The holley's closed loop tuning was the big attraction. im still torn between the two.
 

RDF1

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i do have the stock LS harness and PCM. i DO NOT have HPtuners. The engine is going to be set up for mild boost, but not right off the bat. My concern is getting the engine to run with a cam on HPTuners with the fact that i have no idea how to tune. The holley's closed loop tuning was the big attraction. im still torn between the two.
I will say if your going to have a cam in it then the holley might be easier for you to get idle tuning dialed in.

And the holley does have the boost controller and built in 3 bar map I think? I gotta go back and look.

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Matt327

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id get the holley no question i just need to find out if I can make the stock AC , cluster and cruise work with it. I'd like it to be closer to factory than a racecar. a high hp cruiser.
 

RDF1

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id get the holley no question i just need to find out if I can make the stock AC , cluster and cruise work with it. I'd like it to be closer to factory than a racecar. a high hp cruiser.
Wire AC like old school so high pressure and low pressure switch control it. I think the holley has the AC feature so it will adjust idle and stuff.
Cruise is stand alone so doesn't need to talk to pcm.
Cluster I'm not sure about.

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RDF1

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DBC cruise
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Matt327

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thanks for that cruise diagram, that pretty well solves that question. I'm unclear on how to wire the AC "old school" but I do know Holley has IAC kick for AC and it has a cutout for the compressor when at high RPM so it SEEMS that it would work.

Cluster can work if I use a fbody coolant sensor, send 1 wire to the ECU and 1 to the cluster. should be able to output speedo. there already is a tach wire in the holley harness. volts should work as normal. im unsure if i can just piggy back another wire for the oil pressure sender. fuel level sender is another thing i'm not clear about, does it use the pcm?
 
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