Reprogramming LT1 ECU

[Takid455]

When swaps are performed, who, what, how do you reprogram the ECU so it registers as the 'new' car and 'original' engine? IE LT1 swap in 86 GP. need this primeraly for inspection purposes.

[MonzaRacer]

Call around to dealers and ask if they can/will reflash your ECU on the bench, also several shops around you should be able to do reflash also but big issues is if they can do it out of car.

[WS6]

I do my own tuning with TunerCat. I doubt it has the VIN rewrite function though. I haven't ever needed to try.

What exactly do you need though? You see, the LT1 PCM will more than likely not store any other VIN other than one it can operate. So if the inspection process is to plug into the ALDL and verify that the LT1 PCM displays a VIN matching the car's VIN, I haven't a clue how you'll get around that. Do they really do that procedure though? It means nothing in terms of emissions or inspection of the vehicle.

[Takid455]

your last statement is the concern. I beleive an 86 GP would have a electric carb which would be ODB I. If that computer is disconnected, it will not work and the check engine light may or may not trigger. that is the main concern. I need to check w/ inspection facilities to see what they do. It is illegal to taper w/ a car's stock emission system and doing an engine swap def involves tapering.

[MonzaRacer]

Only if you remove the stock emissions devices. if you integrate the later ECU emissions functions so as to NOT defeat the vapor system and retain EO cats and the check engine light can and does operate then you can present it as an upgraded vehicle.
Vapor and cat should be the only thing required to pass.
Vapor systems all work the same, the engine vacuum pulls vapors through the engine from the canister, after a specific time it shuts down for the most part, the LT1 ECU should be able to operate the system flawlessly, and if you have old ecu moates.net can sell you parts to decode the stock chips programing and its usually somewhere around on the net.
Emissions based on both car parts and engine designation should make it a legal swap as long as you trace lineage from the engines origins to the ECM you need to run it, also removing the EGR should not be done. Run EGR,knock sensor, EO headers, EO cats. If you "prove" the ECU and tuning came with the engine and it is an upgrade, the cars stock emissions have NOT been removed and it should be easy to prove its a stock tune( Iam assuming a flashable computer) then use a programer to retune later on and detune as needed.
I have helped several people integrate newer engines into older cars and retain all stock CAR emissions and even integrate the later sensors/parts.
We installed a 5.3 into an older truck, retained the stock evap system but made the LS PCM run everything on the vehicle AND after proving the lineage of the engine it scanned perfectly and the inspector made the proper call, no emissions had been tampered with and passed his truck.
The only issue we had was adapting the newer fuel pump to the older tank but that gave us the pressure sensor and we adapted the newer fuel fill to keep the proper cap.
Again proper documentation of all used parts and add ons.
Hard to believe it worked out but then it isnt hard if you get into how everything works.

[86Cutlass383SR]

I know differant states have differing requirements but if I understand things correctly (and I may very well don't) as long as the engine is newer and all emissions for that engine are retained, it's legal. For an engine swap for example, of a 96 Camaro LT1/auto they'll probably look at engine numbers to verify the engine. Then they'll look to see all required emission parts for *that* engine combo. Car will then be tested and if visual passes and tail pipe numbers equal or less that said engine, it's considered legal. As long as you are reducing emissions, that's their concern. Emission wise, your car is no longer a GP, it's a 96 Camaro.