Simplifying LS Swap Engine Control With Rebel LS

Twenty years ago, swapping a powerplant into a chassis never designed for it required the equivalent of several engineering degrees-worth of knowledge to get the thing to not only fit, but also to run correctly. These days, we are absolutely blessed with the amount of technology at our disposal to make crazy vehicles possible. Taking that idea to the extreme is Haltech, with their new Rebel LS ECU system. In this EPARTRADE webinar, Haltech’s Special Projects Manager Andrew DiMartino explains that their goal with the Rebel LS line of products is “to provide the most cost-effective, easy to install, start-up, tune, and drive aftermarket ECU experience for the LS enthusiast.”

With simply two SKUs — HT-220201 for a Gen-III LS engine and HT-220204 for a Gen-IV LS engine — the Rebel LS works with drive-by-wire or cable-operated throttle bodies, and is capable of handling naturally aspirated engines as well as those with any type of forced induction, be it turbocharged, supercharged, or a bit of the old giggle gas.

Haltech has focused on making the Rebel LS completely installable and usable by the end user. “You don’t need a professional installation with a shop, in order to get up and running,” says DiMartino. “You can use a shop if you want to, but this is meant for you to be able to do it all yourself.” The Rebel ECU kit comes with all the parts you need, in one box. The ECU, a complete harness, adapter harnesses to interconnect with the factory components, as well as a Bosch wideband oxygen sensor and the necessary bungs to install it.

Don’t get the impression that this is a simplified ECU setup in order to be easy to install. Besides being a full-featured engine control system, the Rebel LS is compatible with Haltech’s lineup of CAN devices, including digital dashes, accessory keypads, EGT sensors, Flex-Fuel sensors, wideband sensors, and more. That makes the Rebel LS as robust as most of the other engine control systems Haltech is known for, but with the benefit of being ridiculously simple to install and use.

If you’re interested in any of the features and want a deeper dive, make sure to watch the video above, as DiMartino gets deep into all of the system’s…