Figured it was time for a new post. I have been working on upgrading my 2016 SS camaro to have the ZL1 Boost gauge in the main gauge cluster. The only clue i was able to find was that the K56 Module played an important role in making this work. At this point, I did not know anything about how to even go about working with this module.
I wasn’t going to let this stop me, I was confident that this wouldn’t be very complex. There were lots of stumbles and learning along the way, but through a lot of trial and error and researching Can bus protocols, and how the different modules communicate with each-other on this bus.
Once I was confident with my knowledge of the bus and how to wire up a test bench, I knew i needed a K56 gateway module in order to be successful. I had a hunch that if i had a ZL1 Gateway module along with the ZL1 Instrument Panel, It would work.
I started off by buying a used ZL1 cluster off of ebay. The ZL1 Instrument panel (P16) communicates through the Serial Gateway Module (K56) in order to retrieve the boost pressure information from the Engine control module (K20).
Using GM’s Techline connect software, I was able to flash a ZL1 firmware image to the SS Gateway module that i had ordered. From here, I wrote a program that would change the Vin number of the K56 module. This would allow my Camaro to accept the new module. With this new program, I was also able to write the VIN to my donor Instrument Panel.
I took a risk and installed the New Hybrid ZL1/SS Vin K56 module in my camaro. To my surprise, nothing bad happened!! And the car functioned 100% normal. I almost expected the turbo boost gauge to show up on the dash with this change, but it did not.
Next I installed the Instrument Panel in the Camaro. The Blower Boost gauge immediately started working, showing engine vacuum as i expected, also showing atmosphere when the engine was off. Because I had already changed the VIN number, the mileage transferred immediately to the new donor cluster.
There are a few small bugs i am going to start working out next. First on the agenda is to fix the incorrect engine hours. Then after that, Work out a way to disable the warning messages about the rear axle module and pedestrian crossing errors.
For prosperity, Here is a picture of the SS emblem on the wheel, and the Blower Boost gauge on the Instrument Panel (Above). Along with a close up of the instrument panel (below) showing the initial correct mileage when powered on.
