06 5.9 into an 03 3500

[03Raminator]

Greetings All: I'm about a week or so into getting my 06 5.9 Cummins back from the machine shop. It's going into my 03 3500. The original motor threw a rod at about 300k so a shop in Vegas rebuilt the motor, which lasted about 20k miles when it threw another rod, but this time put a hole in the block. 2nd motor lasted about 5k miles and then dropped a valve which destroyed that cylinder so now I'm on motor #3 which I plucked from an 06 3500 that was in an impound lot after the accident it was in. Just to be safe, I had that one rebuilt. Anyway, the big question is, do I use the computer that's bolted to the block from the old 03 or the newer one from the 06? In case it matters, I've had the head ported and O ringed, purchased a new CP3 (rebuilt) and 95 hp injectors from Dynomite Diesel. Thanks for your comments, in advance. George

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

I would use the one that comes with the engine. There might be subtle differences between years.

 

[HemiLonestar]

I would use the one that comes with the engine. There might be subtle differences between years.

That is terrible advice.

Anyway, the big question is, do I use the computer that's bolted to the block from the old 03 or the newer one from the 06?George

You can't use the 2006 PCM, it is designed for that year's CAN bus architecture and will not integrate with your 03's PCI bus. Use your original PCM, tune as necessary.

 

[crash68]

Although I don't think the CAN architect changed on the trucks between '03 to '06.
What did change was the engine, in '04.5 Cummins upped the HP, changed the turbo, injectors, etc. There is a lift pump in the tank starting with '04.5.
Don't think a '06 motor will run correctly with a '03 tune or you'll be leaving a bunch of untapped power.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Although I don't think the CAN architect changed on the trucks between '03 to '06.

Just because you don't think it doesn't mean it didn't happen lol. CAN was introduced in the trucks in 2006 across the board. A simple Google search would've prevented half that post.

 

[crash68]

A simple Google search would've prevented half that post.

I didn't need to look up the Cummins information, so why would I have bothered to Google the CANbus architecture for those model years?

 

[kevkev]

Because canbus architecture started in 06.Totally different wiring. 06 was the worst year because it was the first year they started it.03s were pci bus. Different sensors, etc.Im sure you could swap it.But, you need some more research.