I am considering using an 2010 Camaro LS3 in a project I am starting. It is a complete engine / standard trans out of a 2010 Camaro. I was wondering what would be the best (easiest) ecm to use with this engine. It came complete with the wiring harness, but no ecm.
Ostensibly, the PCM that came with it. Ideally you would have the original dash(gauge cluster), ignition switch ***embly and keys. This would allow you to readily start and run the engine. Any tuner worth their salt would then be able to disable all the safety, emission, and an***eft nannies. If where ever the engine was purchased is selling the original pcm/gauge/keys seperately, for a reasonable price, I would suggest purchasing those items for the 'easy' part. Next would be to check if GM Performance has any stand alone pcms for use with an LS3 for plug & play. 'Stand alone' aftermarket systems can be $2K and still require programming/tuning.
I’ve never been involved with something quite that modern. But I’d find the local tuner, likely a Corvette shop, and talk to them. They’ll either provide or tell you what to buy, and what they can do to tune it for your car. The earlier (early 90’s) ECM’s I’ve used (like the old Accel ones) weren’t nearly as sophisticated as the factory units. So if you can use one of those factory units and the tuner can deal with it, it’ll probably be better in the long run. Up here by Seattle, those are mostly the ch***is dyno guys. Put your location in and you might get a recommendation. Or as Mad Mike said, look for the GM plug and play stuff.
If you’re using a factory intake, injectors, throttle body, etc., then use a factory computer. There are a ton of people out there offering the service of removing the Vehicle Anti- Theft programming from stock computers. Will even program it for the gear and tire size you’re running for speedo accuracy. Use an aftermarket harness unless you want to spend an eternity sorting out a factory harness and probably missing something. Look to HPI Injectors for the harness.
I use these quite a bit. Never a problem. https://fitechefi.com/product/ultim...UPvc0Ejf4TFr-tF5oz7mLMFo5NlqTfw4siFWMxhW9KmCY
The easiest is Holley Terminator X/X-Max as it is a complete wiring harness and self learning/easily tuneable ECU. The cheapest is a stock wiring harness & PCM, modified for your application. You can get an Engine Control system from GM Performance, but they are expensive for what you're getting. There are a bunch of different aftermarket stand alone harness manufacturers that utilize stock and aftermarket ECU's. Stay away from anything FiTech or Aces EFI, it's all hot garbage. Haltech has recently come out with their "Rebel LS" system, which is their version of Holley's Terminator X systems and similarly priced, but not as popular in the US. With the Holley and Haltech, you can have it fully wired and running in the same day.
Like others have said, ID your LS3 and get a factory ECU that matches it. When you're done, find a dyno shop in your area that can tune it and you're off and running. Any decent dyno shop should be able to access the ECU via laptop and HP Tuners or something similar. You might get away with the stock, factory tune, but the dyno shop will be able to clear out a bunch of extra junk that you probably won't be using (like extra O2 sensors, etc.) and they can smooth out any inconsistencies that might arise from where the MAF sensor is located and any interference, etc that may show up in the trims. I just put an LS3 connect-and-cruise in a '57 Chevy wagon and the dyno shop was able to improve the overall driveability, idle, and other driving characteristics. Well worth the $700.
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