Upgrading my LS1 Thirdgen to a LS 364 crate engine

[Warnd]

Hey everyone,

I have a 1992 Camaro that I swapped with an LS1/T56 combo out of a 2000 Camaro. The swap uses the stock computer that came with the 2000 Camaro. Long story short, the LS1 was on borrowed time and eventually had to be pulled. I bought an LS364 from GM Performance to put in its place. For those unfamiliar, this is a 6.0 iron block with a 24x reluctor wheel and LS3 heads. To dress the rest of the engine I went with an LS3 intake manifold and stock LS3 injectors (Bosch #62647). To keep things simple and reuse my old computer, I have decided to convert the LS3 intake to DBC using a Holley TB and bracket for the throttle cable. I have also decided to keep the MAP sensor from my LS1 intake and relocate it to the front of the LS3 intake manifold (with some helpful information I found on this forum).

With all of that said, I am looking for advice about what my best course of action is for choosing a starting file. I want to make it clear that I am not asking or expecting anyone to have a file for my specific set up, but I am curious which is my best starting point to begin my tuning journey. Do I keep the stock 2000 Camaro file and make all of the necessary changes? or does it make more sense to start off with something that at least has the same displacement. I understand that all of the injector data and Im sure much more needs to be changed, but I am just looking to start from the most logical point.

I bought HP tuners many years ago to deal with VATS and simple things for my original swap, but since everything was stock, I never had to do much more than that. However, I would like to add another skill to my repertoire and take on tuning as another hobby. I have "Engine Management: Advanced Tuning" by Greg Banish and I am slowly making my way through his online course in my spare time. Mixing in some of the valuable Youtube tuners, I hope I will be able to learn enough to at least get the car going again.

Also, If anyone could recommend a simple wideband setup for me to get started, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

[2xLS1]

I would start with the 2000 LS1 file (actually I would flash it to a 2002 LS1 Camaro file for a few reasons) and just tune it for the new engine combination. But I have been doing this for over 20 years so it would not be a problem for me. Curious if that new engine has the knock sensors under the intake or on the side of the block?

[Warnd]

Ok awesome thank you for that fast reply, greatly appreciated. May I ask why the 2002 file is better?

The new engine has the knock sensors under the intake in the same place as the ls1. It's quite a Frankenstein of gen 3 and gen 4 parts.

[blindsquirrel]

Catalog shows it as a Gen 3 block.

[Warnd]

Yes it is a Gen 3 block with LS3 heads and I believe an LS6 cam if I remember correctly.

[2xLS1]

02, no secondary VE table but there are ways to eliminate it in a 00 calibration. But I have full model year licenses on those so it doesn't cost me anything to swap them. I just think the 01 and 02 OS do things a little better.

[Alvin]

I would also swap to a 02 operating system. It's just the last revolution of F-body stuff.

I'd encourage you to try to use the knock sensors for that PCM. I've never though the LS3 sensors function reliably in a GEN 3. People will mention just change it to "resonant" or whatever.. I've never had that actually work..

[2xLS1]

I would also swap to a 02 operating system. It's just the last revolution of F-body stuff.

I'd encourage you to try to use the knock sensors for that PCM. I've never though the LS3 sensors function reliably in a GEN 3. People will mention just change it to "resonant" or whatever.. I've never had that actually work..

Why would he be using LS3 sensors? He said they are Gen 3 sensors under the intake manifold and it is a Gen 3 block aparently.

[Alvin]

Why would he be using LS3 sensors? He said they are Gen 3 sensors under the intake manifold and it is a Gen 3 block aparently.

I must have misread. I though he was using them from the first post.

[Warnd]

Thank you for the replies!

Yes I am using the gen 3 knock sensors under the intake manifold. They look identical to the ones in my LS1 but I replaced them with new AC Delco units just to be safe.

At what point in the tune do you think it is safe to at least start the car for the first time so that I can begin the rest of the tuning process? After inputting the correct injector data? I realize this question might seem stupid, but I am trying to be extremely careful with this new build. It took me quite a while to save for the new engine, and with a 6 month old baby at home, I don't see that money coming back around any time soon lol.

[2xLS1]

You won't hurt anything just idling with no to low load if that is what you are asking assuming correct injector data. With closed loop when it kicks in the fuel trims will keep it at stoich as long as you are not trying to run it with open exhaust close to the O2 sensors.

[Alvin]

As long as it's not smoking rich you should be fine.