Camaro SS heart transplant - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

stone150 · 08-15-2018, 05:56 PM

I’m just starting the process of dumping a 2015 Camaro SS Engine, Trans, ECU, cooling system, and etc into my 2012 2SS.
Both are Autos, the biggest difference I know of is the electric power steering. Are their other considerations I need to know about?
Can I get the electric power steering to work in the 2012 body? Or should I convert the engine to run a hydraulic pump?

Eric Baker · 08-15-2018, 06:43 PM

I don't want to sound like a jerk or anything, you can do whatever you want, but...

Is something wrong with your 2012 where something needs replacement? Because everything mechanically is identical between that and the 2015 with the exception of the power steering. So if nothing is wrong with your transmission and cooling system, it's a waste of time and money because you'd be putting the exact same thing back in. The only reason to replace the engine would be if it's blown or something. The ECU will also be the same, but it will need a scan tool to have the VIN changed to the one for your car.

Essentially, the only difference other than appearance, at least of the things you listed, between the two cars is the power steering, but that's a very involved swap because you'll need wiring harnesses and probably a new steering column, along with computer programming and such.

stone150 · 08-15-2018, 07:12 PM

I guess I should have added in the details of why, the 2012 was a family member's car that was stolen, drive train removed, and I eventually came into possession of. The 2015 was a rollover with a parts only title.

Eric Baker · 08-16-2018, 05:01 PM

Ahh ok, I see. In that case...

Like I said, they are for the most part identical other than the power steering and interior/body. The engine should have mounting points on the block to bolt up the power steering pump/bracket. It's going to be much easier to just pick up those couple of parts from a scrap yard or something than it would be to add electric steering to the 2012.

Other than that, everything should be fairly easy to transplant, but you will have to have the ECU recalibrated or at the very least the VIN re-written.

Nice project you have there. Good luck with everything and be sure to post updates!

stone150 · 08-17-2018, 07:43 AM

Thanks yeah, I'm not just swapping for the fun of it...

I'm assuming the 2015 has provisions in the computer to control the power steering, once I go back to hydraulic, will I throw codes, or will that be part of the tuning process?

I'd like to run the 2015 screen in the 2012, will i need to swap most of the harnesses over to get the door locks to the new spot?

wakespeak · 08-17-2018, 10:37 AM

2012 had electric power steering.

Matt8892(2) · 08-17-2018, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakespeak

2012 had electric power steering.

My 2012 45th anniversary doesn’t

stone150 · 08-20-2018, 07:58 PM

the Silver 2012 is for sure hydraulic, my understanding is only the ZL1s are Electric in 2012.

Another question, I have all the parts to convert mine to 2013+ look, would you do it?

2SS/RSD · 08-20-2018, 08:37 PM

Mine don't!

Spurshot · 08-25-2018, 08:51 AM

I don't think I'd mess with converting to electric steering. I believe it's a BCM controlled function, not the ECM. If so, you'd need a newer BCM and harness. Keep in mind, the failure modes of electric steering can be catastrophic. Nothing wrong with keeping the fully evolved hydraulic steering, IMO. Just get the pump and brackets, serpentine pulleys, etc, from a car like yours and add it to the newer engine.

Spurshot · 08-25-2018, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stone150

Thanks yeah, I'm not just swapping for the fun of it...

I'm assuming the 2015 has provisions in the computer to control the power steering, once I go back to hydraulic, will I throw codes, or will that be part of the tuning process?

I'd like to run the 2015 screen in the 2012, will i need to swap most of the harnesses over to get the door locks to the new spot?

Looks like Electric Power Steering (EPS) is controlled by three computers, BCM, ECM, and EPSM. Doesn't sound like an easy retrofit. But you have that whole other car as a donor. I suppose it could be done.

stone150 · 08-27-2018, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spurshot

Looks like Electric Power Steering (EPS) is controlled by three computers, BCM, ECM, and EPSM. Doesn't sound like an easy retrofit. But you have that whole other car as a donor. I suppose it could be done.

Yeah, in theory I could convert everything over, but that sounds like a PIA then converting all the computers to the new VIN

08-15-2018, 05:56 PM	#1
stone150 Maroon, Black, Chrome, Drives: 2008 Z06, 2001 Z71, 2007 GT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: H-Town Posts: 20	Camaro SS heart transplant I’m just starting the process of dumping a 2015 Camaro SS Engine, Trans, ECU, cooling system, and etc into my 2012 2SS. Both are Autos, the biggest difference I know of is the electric power steering. Are their other considerations I need to know about? Can I get the electric power steering to work in the 2012 body? Or should I convert the engine to run a hydraulic pump? __________________

08-15-2018, 07:12 PM	#3
stone150 Maroon, Black, Chrome, Drives: 2008 Z06, 2001 Z71, 2007 GT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: H-Town Posts: 20	I guess I should have added in the details of why, the 2012 was a family member's car that was stolen, drive train removed, and I eventually came into possession of. The 2015 was a rollover with a parts only title. __________________

08-17-2018, 07:43 AM	#5
stone150 Maroon, Black, Chrome, Drives: 2008 Z06, 2001 Z71, 2007 GT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: H-Town Posts: 20	Thanks yeah, I'm not just swapping for the fun of it... I'm assuming the 2015 has provisions in the computer to control the power steering, once I go back to hydraulic, will I throw codes, or will that be part of the tuning process? I'd like to run the 2015 screen in the 2012, will i need to swap most of the harnesses over to get the door locks to the new spot? __________________

08-17-2018, 10:37 AM	#6
wakespeak Drives: 2020 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,335	2012 had electric power steering. __________________ 2020 ZL1 1LE [Moroso SC Expansion Tank, otherwise stock]

08-20-2018, 07:58 PM	#8
stone150 Maroon, Black, Chrome, Drives: 2008 Z06, 2001 Z71, 2007 GT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: H-Town Posts: 20	the Silver 2012 is for sure hydraulic, my understanding is only the ZL1s are Electric in 2012. Another question, I have all the parts to convert mine to 2013+ look, would you do it? __________________

08-15-2018, 06:43 PM	#2
Eric Baker Drives: Black/Black 2SS/RS 6M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 987 View My Garage	I don't want to sound like a jerk or anything, you can do whatever you want, but... Is something wrong with your 2012 where something needs replacement? Because everything mechanically is identical between that and the 2015 with the exception of the power steering. So if nothing is wrong with your transmission and cooling system, it's a waste of time and money because you'd be putting the exact same thing back in. The only reason to replace the engine would be if it's blown or something. The ECU will also be the same, but it will need a scan tool to have the VIN changed to the one for your car. Essentially, the only difference other than appearance, at least of the things you listed, between the two cars is the power steering, but that's a very involved swap because you'll need wiring harnesses and probably a new steering column, along with computer programming and such.

08-16-2018, 05:01 PM	#4
Eric Baker Drives: Black/Black 2SS/RS 6M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 987 View My Garage	Ahh ok, I see. In that case... Like I said, they are for the most part identical other than the power steering and interior/body. The engine should have mounting points on the block to bolt up the power steering pump/bracket. It's going to be much easier to just pick up those couple of parts from a scrap yard or something than it would be to add electric steering to the 2012. Other than that, everything should be fairly easy to transplant, but you will have to have the ECU recalibrated or at the very least the VIN re-written. Nice project you have there. Good luck with everything and be sure to post updates!

08-20-2018, 08:37 PM	#9
2SS/RSD Drives: 2012 2SS/RS 45th Annv. 6M Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Carlisle.Pa Posts: 264	Mine don't! __________________ 2012 2SS/RS 45th edition M6 2014 Blk Silverado 4X4 DB Cab Z71 American by birth....Bowtie by choice!

08-25-2018, 08:51 AM	#10
Spurshot Drives: 2014 2SS blue Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Socal Posts: 689	I don't think I'd mess with converting to electric steering. I believe it's a BCM controlled function, not the ECM. If so, you'd need a newer BCM and harness. Keep in mind, the failure modes of electric steering can be catastrophic. Nothing wrong with keeping the fully evolved hydraulic steering, IMO. Just get the pump and brackets, serpentine pulleys, etc, from a car like yours and add it to the newer engine. __________________