Why doesn't anyone use the Chevy "Connect & Cruise" packages?

Frasier433 · Oct 16, 2024

My dad gave me his 86 and am getting ready to start a "resto-mod". Already have the full suspension setup on the way and lately I've been looking at engines/transmissions. Planned on getting one of the LS3 connect and cruise packages.

With so many LS swap posts I have yet to run across anyone utilizing the a "Connect and Cruise" packages. I'm just wondering why no one seems to use those? Maybe there are some things I'm not considering?

legopnuematic · Oct 16, 2024

Cost.

Catbox · Oct 16, 2024

I would believe that the initial buy in price of that package makes most people back away.

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Sourcing junkyard parts takes that sting away or even buying a running driving vehicle to take all the parts from is more feasible.

JD Miller · Oct 16, 2024

What is a "Connect and Cruise" packages ?

1lejohn · Oct 16, 2024

They are designed for the shop builds that cost $$$. They are easy for them to put in a project and are guaranteed a good result.

SquareRoot · Oct 16, 2024

That's how I'm doing my next build. When I find a clean 89-91 K5, I'm dropping it off at Danny's (aka the Count) in Vegas, telling them to install an LS3 Connect and Cruise package, paint it and call me when it's done. I have done the "One piece at a time, didn't cost me a dime" approach. Too old to do it twice.

Frasier433 · Oct 16, 2024

Catbox said:
I would believe that the initial buy in price of that package makes most people back away.

You must be registered for see images attach

Sourcing junkyard parts takes that sting away or even buying a running driving vehicle to take all the parts from is more feasible.

Thank you! I was hoping cost barrier was the answer. I want to drive it and it be reliable, not chasing “gremlins” every time I get in it. Just wanted to make sure there wasn’t something I was missing.

1lejohn said:
They are designed for the shop builds that cost $$$. They are easy for them to put in a project and are guaranteed a good result.

“Guaranteed a good result” is exactly what I’m looking for!

JD Miller · Oct 16, 2024

SquareRoot said:
That's how I'm doing my next build. When I find a clean 89-91 K5, I'm dropping it off at Danny's (aka the Count) in Vegas, telling them to install an LS3 Connect and Cruise package, paint it and call me when it's done. I have done the "One piece at a time, didn't cost me a dime" approach. Too old to do it twice.

Do you want Horny Mike to Work on your truck ? :popcorn:

CountKrunk · Oct 16, 2024

If i ever have $60k budget im taking a car to martin bros customs.

TotalyHucked · Oct 16, 2024

Frasier433 said:
Thank you! I was hoping cost barrier was the answer. I want to drive it and it be reliable, not chasing “gremlins” every time I get in it. Just wanted to make sure there wasn’t something I was missing.

“Guaranteed a good result” is exactly what I’m looking for!

Cost is exactly why, most of us don't have that chunk of change to put down all at once. Not to mention I'd say most of us want something different than those packages offer, be it camshaft/boost/etc. Plus for me, it's way more fun to research and build the package exactly the way I like it. Figuring out what works well together, ordering things from different places and getting it all put together in the end is a very rewarding experience.

SquareRoot · Oct 16, 2024

There's a law ya know. Power, cost, reliability. You only get two.

TotalyHucked · Oct 16, 2024

SquareRoot said:
There's a law ya know. Power, cost, reliability. You only get two.

Personally, I think I did pretty damn good averaging the 3 with my truck

Bextreme04 · Oct 16, 2024

A buddy of mine got tired of constantly having issues with his twin-turbo'ed Gen VII 8.1L in his 73 Nova and dropped the coin on a connect and cruise kit. He got an LT-4/8L80 combo. He still had to make a bunch of modifications to get it to fit in there right, but it has just as much power as his old setup and gets twice the fuel mileage. Able to daily drive it and not worry about it leaking oil everywhere or breaking down.

On the flip side of that, I got an L9H(flex-fuel truck version of an LS3) with the wiring harness, computer, and associated 6L80E for $1500 locally. It was in good running condition, but I dropped another $2k on it to tear it down and refresh everything as well as put in a bigger cam.

You can buy an entire truck for about 1/3 the cost of what that connect and cruise kit costs. Find yourself a 2008-up 2500 or 3500 truck and you'll have an iron block 6.0 with the entire LS3 head and intake package as well as a 6L90 trans. A 2007.5-up Denali or Escalade will have the all aluminum 6.2/6L80 combo. 2015-up will be direct injected LT engines and 8 or 10 speeds. You'll be money and time ahead of the connect and cruise kit either way.

The biggest issue with the connect and cruise kit is that the GM ECU used in it has no aftermarket support or tunability. So if you change anything in the future, it is completely locked out. Factory ECU's can be tuned easily with HP tuners or EFIlive

idahovette · Oct 16, 2024

SquareRoot said:
There's a law ya know. Power, cost, reliability. You only get two.

And pictures......... gotta have pics.........Rusty says so!!!!!!

CalSgt · Oct 16, 2024

Bextreme04 said:
A buddy of mine got tired of constantly having issues with his twin-turbo'ed Gen VII 8.1L in his 73 Nova and dropped the coin on a connect and cruise kit. He got an LT-4/8L80 combo. He still had to make a bunch of modifications to get it to fit in there right, but it has just as much power as his old setup and gets twice the fuel mileage. Able to daily drive it and not worry about it leaking oil everywhere or breaking down.

On the flip side of that, I got an L9H(flex-fuel truck version of an LS3) with the wiring harness, computer, and associated 6L80E for $1500 locally. It was in good running condition, but I dropped another $2k on it to tear it down and refresh everything as well as put in a bigger cam.

You can buy an entire truck for about 1/3 the cost of what that connect and cruise kit costs. Find yourself a 2008-up 2500 or 3500 truck and you'll have an iron block 6.0 with the entire LS3 head and intake package as well as a 6L90 trans. A 2007.5-up Denali or Escalade will have the all aluminum 6.2/6L80 combo. 2015-up will be direct injected LT engines and 8 or 10 speeds. You'll be money and time ahead of the connect and cruise kit either way.

The biggest issue with the connect and cruise kit is that the GM ECU used in it has no aftermarket support or tunability. So if you change anything in the future, it is completely locked out. Factory ECU's can be tuned easily with HP tuners or EFIlive

I think I got a deal in the works for an ‘07 Escalade with the L92 for cheap, has a rear main leak and the cats are no good. Seller is responsible for smog in CA unless it’s non operational. CARB approved Y pipe and cats is $2K and the shop estimate for rear seal is 12 hours. Repair would cost more than the vehicle is worth…

Why doesn't anyone use the Chevy "Connect & Cruise" packages?

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