GM P01 and P59 Operating Systems for HP Tuners
This document outlines the operating systems (OSes) for GM P01 and P59 Powertrain Control Modules (PCMs) supported by HP Tuners, including their applications, features, and tuning considerations. The P01 (512 KB) and P59 (1 MB) PCMs are widely used in GM LS-based vehicles from 1999 to 2007, covering cars, trucks, and vans.
P01 PCM Overview
Years: 1999?2003 (some 2004 applications)
Memory: 512 KB
Connectors: Red/Blue
Applications: Corvette, Camaro/Firebird, Silverado/Sierra, Express/Savana, 4.3L V6 trucks/vans/SUVs
Throttle: Primarily Drive-by-Cable (DBC)
Engines: LS1, LS6, early LS2, 4.3L, 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L
Processor: Motorola/Freescale (upgraded in 2001?2003 "0411" PCMs)
Features: Supports 1-bar, 2-bar, 3-bar SD; limited Flex Fuel support; injector flow limit 254 lb/hr
Tuning Notes: Older 1997?2000 P01s prone to damage during flashing; 0411 PCMs more reliable
P01 Operating Systems
The following OSes are commonly used with P01 PCMs in HP Tuners. All are 512 KB and incompatible with P59 PCMs.
12202088
Applications: 2001?2002 Holden Commodore (Australia), some GM trucks
Features:
DBC throttle
Supports 1-bar and 2-bar SD enhancements
Basic LS1/LS6 tune, manual/auto transmission
Tuning Notes: Common in Australian vehicles; superseded by 12208322 for improved tuning
12208322
Applications: 2001?2003 Camaro/Firebird, Corvette, trucks
Features:
DBC throttle
Improved over 12202088 with better VE/spark tables
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar SD; 3-bar with patches
Tuning Notes: Versatile for performance tuning; good for LS1 swaps
12212156
Applications: 2001?2002 Camaro/Firebird, some trucks
Features:
DBC throttle
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar SD; 3-bar with HP Tuners patches
Electric fan control with A/C and ECT integration
Tuning Notes: Preferred for swaps due to fan control; ?universal? P01 OS
12216125
Applications: 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe (5.3L), other trucks
Features:
DBC throttle
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar, 3-bar SD with boost patches
Truck-specific idle tuning
Tuning Notes: Ideal for boosted truck applications; good VE table resolution
12225074
Applications: 2003?2004 Holden Commodore (Australia)
Features:
DBC throttle
Enhanced tune over 12202088
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar SD; 3-bar with patches
Tuning Notes: Performance-oriented for LS1; used in Australian vehicles
P01 Tuning Considerations
OS Swapping: Use HP Tuners ?Write Entire? to flash new P01 OS (e.g., 12212156 for fan control). License the new OS and update VIN/segments.
3-Bar SD: Requires patches for OSes like 12212156; not natively supported by GM.
Flex Fuel: Not natively supported; requires significant wiring/OS modifications.
Bricking Risk: Ensure stable battery; remove radio fuses to avoid voltage drops.
Upgrades: Use 2001?2003 0411 PCMs for reliability over 1997?2000 P01s.
P59 PCM Overview
Years: 2003?2007
Memory: 1 MB
Connectors: Green/Blue
Applications: Corvette, 2004 GTO, Silverado/Sierra, Express/Savana, trucks/SUVs
Throttle: Drive-by-Cable (DBC) or Drive-by-Wire (DBW)
Engines: LS1, LS6, LS2, 4.3L, 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L
Processor: Motorola/Freescale (AMD/Intel flash chips)
Features: Supports DBC/DBW, Flex Fuel, 1-bar/2-bar/3-bar SD; injector flow limit 254 lb/hr
Tuning Notes: More robust than P01; supports advanced features like E85 and DBW
P59 Operating Systems
The following OSes are commonly used with P59 PCMs in HP Tuners. All are 1 MB and incompatible with P01 PCMs.
12576106
Applications: 2003 Chevy Astro, 2003?2004 GM trucks (4.3L, 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L)
Features:
DBC throttle
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar, 3-bar SD
Manual/auto transmission
Tuning Notes: Simple, reliable for truck/van swaps; good for DBC LS swaps
12586242
Applications: 2003?2007 GM trucks/vans (4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L)
Features:
DBC throttle
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar, 3-bar SD
Truck-specific idle and fueling
Tuning Notes: Widely available; ideal for boosted truck applications
12587603
Applications: 2003?2005 VZ Holden Commodore, 2004 Pontiac GTO, some trucks
Features:
DBC (some variants); DBW (others)
Flex Fuel (E85) support
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar, 3-bar SD with high-resolution tables
Tuning Notes: Preferred for performance builds; verify DBC/DBW compatibility
12587811
Applications: 2006 Silverado 2500HD (6.0L), 2005?2007 trucks
Features:
DBC throttle
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar, 3-bar SD
Truck-specific tuning
Tuning Notes: Good for heavy-duty truck swaps; supports boost
12592433
Applications: 2005 VZ Holden Commodore, some 2004?2005 GM vehicles
Features:
DBW throttle (primarily)
Supports 1-bar, 2-bar, 3-bar SD
Performance-oriented LS1/LS2 tune
Tuning Notes: Common in DBW applications; less suitable for DBC swaps
P59 Tuning Considerations
OS Swapping: Use HP Tuners ?Write Entire? to flash new P59 OS (e.g., 12587603 for Flex Fuel). License the new OS and update VIN/segments.
DBC vs. DBW: Confirm throttle type in tune file (?Throttle Control Type? parameter). DBC OSes include 12576106, 12586242; DBW OSes include 12592433.
Flex Fuel: Supported by 12587603; requires E85 sensor and tune adjustments.
IAC Chip: DBC setups need P59 PCMs with IAC chip (service numbers: 12575502, 12570558, 12583659, 12589161).
Bricking Risk: Stable battery critical; remove radio fuses before flashing.
HP Tuners OS Enhancements
HP Tuners offers enhancements for both P01 and P59 PCMs, applied via ?Write Entire?:
1-Bar MAP Speed Density: Naturally aspirated applications
2-Bar MAP Speed Density: Low/medium boost (turbo/supercharger)
3-Bar MAP Speed Density: Medium/high boost (e.g., 20 psi)
1-Bar MAF Enhanced: MAF-based with Real-Time Tuning (RTT)
Process:
Open stock tune in HP Tuners
Select enhancement (e.g., 3-Bar SD) under ?Operating System? menu
Save as new base tune (e.g., ?Tune_3bar.bin?)
Flash using ?Write Entire?
Compatibility: Most P01/P59 OSes support enhancements; some P01 OSes (e.g., 12212156) need patches for 3-bar SD.
Swapping PCMs and OSes
Within Same PCM Type:
P01 to P01 (e.g., 12202088 to 12212156): Flash new OS via HP Tuners; update VIN/segments
P59 to P59 (e.g., 12592433 to 12587603): Same process; verify DBC/DBW compatibility
P01 to P59 Swap:
Requires re-pinning red/blue to green/blue harness
Adjust wiring for O2 sensors (PCM-grounded on P59), tach, fuel gauge
Flash P59 OS (e.g., 12576106 for DBC); port P01 calibration
Key Differences
Feature
P01 PCM
P59 PCM
Memory
512 KB
1 MB
Connectors
Red/Blue
Green/Blue
Throttle
DBC
DBC or DBW
Flex Fuel
Limited (wiring mods)
Native (e.g., 12587603)
Reliability
0411 better than 1997?2000
More robust (2003?2007)
OS Examples
12212156, 12216125
12587603, 12576106
Recommendations
P01 PCM:
Use 12212156 for swaps (fan control) or 12216125 for boosted trucks
Upgrade to 0411 PCM for reliability
P59 PCM:
Use 12587603 for Flex Fuel/boost (DBC/DBW); 12576106 for simple DBC truck swaps
Verify IAC chip for DBC setups
Swaps:
P01 to P59 for modern features (E85, DBW); re-pin harness
Port calibration tables to new OS
Safety:
Backup original bin file
Stable battery; remove radio fuses before flashing
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Originally Posted by SiriusC1024
