LS1 Swap AC Overview

For 99-02 F body LS1 harness conversion

In order to get the LS1 air conditioning working on any swap car, it is best to allow the GM PCM to
control the AC compressor. The advantages of using the PCM are as follows:

 If the PCM knows the AC compressor is pulling a load from the engine, the PCM will adjust the
idle accordingly to keep the engine running smoothly
 The LS1 Delco AC compressor can only safely spin to about 5500 RPMs. Many people build their
engines to rev to 7000 RPMs. Keeping the LS1 compressor over 5500 RPMs for over 10-15
seconds WILL destroy the compressor. With the GM PCM control, it will shut the compressor off
if the engine is spinning above 5250 RPMs.
 The PCM will turn off the compressor when the throttle position goes to 100%.
 If the PCM is set up to control the radiator fans, it will turn the fans on or on high, depending on
the engine temperature, to help cool the AC condenser.

There are 4 circuits that need to be completed to complete the installation

CIRCUIT NAME FUNCTION LOCATION

AC request 12v into the PCM when you want the AC on PCM RED 17
DK GRN/WHT

AC relay control ground signal from the PCM to the AC relay PCM RED 43
when the PCM tells the AC relay to activate DK GRN/WHT

AC clutch status 12v into the PCM from the AC compressor PCM RED 18
clutch. This is just a verification circuit to the DK GRN
PCM to let it know the compressor is on

AC pressure sensor This is the 3 wire sensor that needs to be PCM RED 14
installed into your high side AC lines. RD/BK
PCM BLUE 45
If needed, extend this sensor to your high side GRY
sensor port. PCM RED 57
PPL – Splice INTO this wire as it
shares this circuit with the IAT.

1 ©2011 www.hawksthirdgenparts.com
 3rd Gen F Body
AC Request

In order to connect the chassis wiring from a 3rd generation F body, its easiest if you reuse the stock F
Body AC compressor power circuit. The AC power circuit also acted as the AC request circuit, so for
these wiring instructions, we will use the 3rd gen’s power circuit for both AC request and AC compressor
clutch power.

Depending on your chassis and year, you can pick up the AC request/power wire at the low AC pressure
switch located on the side of the accumulator, on the rear of the passenger side of the engine bay, or
the 3 position connector above the distributor. The wire you need is the light green wire. Cut it and,
with a meter or test light, test for 12v with key on with HVAC controls on MAX.

If you do not have 12v at the light blue AC low pressure switch wire with key on and HVAC controls on
MAX, do not proceed until you have solved this issue. Check the driver side dash fuse box for the 25A
HTR-A/C fuse.

Below is a picture of the light green wires where you can pick up the AC request wire signal wire.

2 ©2011 www.hawksthirdgenparts.com
From this light green wire, you’ll need to extend 2 wires from the chassis harness to the LS1 PCM RED 17
and also to a new relay.

AC Relay
3 ©2011 www.hawksthirdgenparts.com
You’ll need to install a new relay to control your AC compressor clutch. Any standard Bosch style 4 or 5
post relay will work. On the bottom, each terminal is labeled . They are labeled 85, 86, 87, and 30. If
you have a 5 post, there will also be a terminal labeled 87a, which is not needed for this application.

You will need to connect the posts as follows:

85 To Light Green wire at AC pressure switch

86 To PCM RED 43, AC clutch relay control
87 Connect 2 wires: one to the Green wire at the AC compressor,
one to PCM RED 18, AC clutch status
30 Also to Light Green at AC pressure switch

4 ©2011 www.hawksthirdgenparts.com
If you’re modifying a stock harness, you will not need to run any new wires, other than the ones from
the Light Green at the AC switch. All of the stock circuitry is in place, you’ll just need to add a relay.

From C100, position C, connect to relay terminal 87

C100 is a black, 10 pin connector, close to the PCM.

C230 is a blue, 10 pin connector that is on a branch close to the PCM. It used to connect in the F body’s
passenger kick panel.

5 ©2011 www.hawksthirdgenparts.com
 Final assembly

Beyond this, you will need to install the GM AC pressure sensor (AC Delco # 15-5742, GM # 22664328) in
your high side (smaller diameter hard lines) AC lines. Once it is installed, and is hooked up to the LS1 3
wire sensor connector, pull a vacuum on the lines, and fill with Freon.

6 ©2011 www.hawksthirdgenparts.com