Which ECU should I run for a swap that might use drive-by-cable or drive-by-wire?
Here is what the documentation says. Each point links to its source; details depend on your exact computer, harness and transmission.
- 0411; 1999-2002: Only Gen III PCMs had the capability to run drive-by-cable throttle bodies, and not all of them had IAC driver hardware installed; PSI recommends using a PCM with service number 12200411, and the tune must let the PCM actuate the IAC correctly. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
- 0411; LS1, LM7, LQ4; 1999-2003: The 12200411 (411) PCM was made by Delphi for 1999-2002 trucks and F-bodies and is identified by red and blue connector labels; 411 PCMs are also found in 1999-2003 Corvettes but need reprogramming because C5 Corvettes only came with drive-by-wire. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
- 212; LS1; 1997-1998: The red/blue-connector PCM from 1997-1998 Corvettes and 1998 LS1 Camaros/Firebirds, identified by a service number ending in 212, is wired differently from the 1999-2002 PCMs, is not reliable or tuner-friendly, and should be avoided for swaps. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
- E38, E67, E40; 2005-2013: Running a cable throttle body on a Gen IV engine with an OEM Gen IV ECM cannot be done by simply wiring the TPS and IAC and retuning; the Gen IV computer is not capable of operating a TPS/IAC cable body. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
- 0411; LS2, LS3, LS7; 2005-2013: One route to cable throttle on a Gen IV LS is intrusive engine surgery: swap the 58x crankshaft reluctor for a 24x version at a machine shop and fit a 1x upper timing gear, then run a PSI Gen III drive-by-cable harness, 411 PCM, and cable throttle body. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
- 0411; LS3, LS7; 2007-2013: The less intrusive Gen IV-to-cable route uses a PSI Gen III drive-by-cable harness and 411 PCM plus a Lingenfelter signal conversion box that translates the 58x crankshaft and 4x camshaft signals into the 24x and 1x signals the 411 PCM expects, so engines like the LS3, LS7, and 2007-2013 Vortec truck LS can run a cable body without opening the engine. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
- E40; LS2; 2005-2006: E40/silver-blade applications include the 2005-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2006 Pontiac GTO, 2005 Corvette, 2006 Trailblazer SS, and 2005-2006 5.3-liter midsize SUVs (GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer); these retained the 24x crankshaft reluctor and are not compatible with later 58x Gen IV systems, and the E40 is extremely rare due to its two-year run. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
- E92; L83, L86, LT1, LT4; 2014+: Gen V uses the E92 ECM with a digital communication protocol while Gen IV LS throttle bodies use analog signals, so LS and LT drive-by-wire throttle bodies are not interchangeable even where both use six pins. (LSX Magazine (Power Automedia))
Confirm against the instructions for your exact parts before wiring. More: Throttle (drive-by-wire) in our tuning guide.
Confidence: medium — sources disagree or are limited; check the sources below.
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Sources
- Clearing The Air: Drive-By-Cable Throttle Bodies With PSI — LSX Magazine (Power Automedia)
- LS and LT Drive-by-Wire: Gen 4 And Gen 5 Throttle Bodies — LSX Magazine (Power Automedia)