Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Does the ECU use the VIN number to identify what vehicle it is in, etc?

  1. #1
    Tuner in Training
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Posts
    14

    Does the ECU use the VIN number to identify what vehicle it is in, etc?

    Does the VIN number effect how the firmware works. ie. select options etc.
    In reading a firmware there are two categories Engine and Transmission. Does the Vin work within these two?

    For example I have a LS7 that came out of a Corvette. Can I change the VIN number using HPTuners, to identify it is now in a Camaro?

    The 2014-2015 Camaro Z28 came with a LS7. Can I make up a VIN to change the ECU (E38) that came with the motor to think it is now in a Camaro?
    Last edited by colsen2715; 11-01-2024 at 11:24 AM.

  2. #2
    Tuning Addict blindsquirrel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Meridian MS
    Posts
    9,437
    This is sorta like asking if the color blue weighs more than the color green.

    The ECM is programmed by inputting the VIN into SPS. GM's database knows all the options that VIN was built with and pulls down the correct calibration (rear gear, tire size, fuel tank capacity, engine RPO, etc).
    GM Gen4 Injectors v2.1.xls
    "My life has become a single, ongoing revelation that I haven't been cynical enough."
    Funny how accounts marked as 'banned' are still able to log in and do stuff on the site, huh?

  3. #3
    Senior Tuner
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    2,307
    Quote Originally Posted by colsen2715 View Post
    Does the VIN number effect how the firmware works. ie. select options etc.
    In reading a firmware there are two categories Engine and Transmission. Does the Vin work within these two?

    For example I have a LS7 that came out of a Corvette. Can I change the VIN number using HPTuners, to identify it is now in a Camaro?

    The 2014-2015 Camaro Z28 came with a LS7. Can I make up a VIN to change the ECU (E38) that came with the motor to think it is now in a Camaro?
    It won't change anything within HPT to do that. If done through GM' SPS system, then yes (which is what Blindsquirrel is pointing out).

  4. #4
    Tuning Addict blindsquirrel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Meridian MS
    Posts
    9,437
    Oh Lordy, it got edited after I posted and the edit only made it worse.
    GM Gen4 Injectors v2.1.xls
    "My life has become a single, ongoing revelation that I haven't been cynical enough."
    Funny how accounts marked as 'banned' are still able to log in and do stuff on the site, huh?

  5. #5
    Tuner in Training
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Posts
    14
    Quote Originally Posted by blindsquirrel View Post
    This is sorta like asking if the color blue weighs more than the color green.

    The ECM is programmed by inputting the VIN into SPS. GM's database knows all the options that VIN was built with and pulls down the correct calibration (rear gear, tire size, fuel tank capacity, engine RPO, etc).
    I thank you. I will follow down that path.

    Now ... Does anybody have a VIN number for a 2015 Camaro Z28 with LS7 and 6L80E transmission?

  6. #6
    Tuning Addict blindsquirrel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Meridian MS
    Posts
    9,437
    You have a SPS subscription and a compatible J2534 (MDI/Mongoose/VCX/etc.) device to be able to be able to program one to that VIN?
    GM Gen4 Injectors v2.1.xls
    "My life has become a single, ongoing revelation that I haven't been cynical enough."
    Funny how accounts marked as 'banned' are still able to log in and do stuff on the site, huh?

  7. #7
    Senior Tuner edcmat-l1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    5BA8
    Posts
    4,744
    Quote Originally Posted by colsen2715 View Post
    I thank you. I will follow down that path.

    Now ... Does anybody have a VIN number for a 2015 Camaro Z28 with LS7 and 6L80E transmission?
    If you're the guy putting an LS7 in a 2011 V6 car, the VIN needs to stay the same.

    EFI specialist
    Advanced diagnostics, tuning, emissions
    HPtuners dealer and tech support
    email=[email protected]

  8. #8
    Tuner in Training
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Posts
    14
    Quote Originally Posted by blindsquirrel View Post
    You have a SPS subscription and a compatible J2534 (MDI/Mongoose/VCX/etc.) device to be able to be able to program one to that VIN?
    No I don't. I understand that now. Who would I be able to have the E38 ECU programmed by? Does someone provide that service?

  9. #9
    Tuning Addict blindsquirrel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Meridian MS
    Posts
    9,437
    https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw..._sop=15&_pgn=1

    (note about the listings: Ignore their 'Camaro'/'Escalade'/'Malibu'/whatevers, any 12633238 programmed with a Camaro VIN turns into a Camaro 12633238. That's how Service Numbers work.)

    You are in for a bunch of confusion and hard work and mistakes in converting the V6 car's systems to cooperate with the new V8 ECM/TCM, everything in the whole car is integrated with everything else and a V6 gauge cluster and ABS module and BCM and everything else is going to be different, if not at the hardware level certainly at the programming level. All kinds of things will have to be either reprogrammed or replaced and reprogrammed, none of which you can access through HP Tuners. To pull this off you would still need your own dealer-level programming tools.

    You won't want to hear this because you're deep in that hole already, but if I were you I would put the V6 car together as a V6 and sell it, then buy a pre-electronic-everything car or truck and put the fancy motor in that.
    GM Gen4 Injectors v2.1.xls
    "My life has become a single, ongoing revelation that I haven't been cynical enough."
    Funny how accounts marked as 'banned' are still able to log in and do stuff on the site, huh?

  10. #10
    Tuner in Training
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Posts
    14
    Quote Originally Posted by edcmat-l1 View Post
    If you're the guy putting an LS7 in a 2011 V6 car, the VIN needs to stay the same.
    Yes I know that now. I can't be the only guy that has done this, or trying to do this.

  11. #11
    Tuning Addict blindsquirrel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Meridian MS
    Posts
    9,437
    Sure it can be done! But the people capable of doing it are Wizard-level. And with extensive knowledge and tools to handle all the reprogramming and the other things that would have to go along with. And a lot of money.

    This however appears headed in the "I'm building a spaceship, what kind of wood lathe should I buy?" direction. You aren't saving anything, either money or effort, by converting a V6 car. Quite the opposite.
    GM Gen4 Injectors v2.1.xls
    "My life has become a single, ongoing revelation that I haven't been cynical enough."
    Funny how accounts marked as 'banned' are still able to log in and do stuff on the site, huh?

  12. #12
    Senior Tuner
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    2,307
    Quote Originally Posted by colsen2715 View Post
    Yes I know that now. I can't be the only guy that has done this, or trying to do this.
    I think there has been one guy that actually did it on the Camaro5 forum. A lot of others that have talked about it, but the disappeared after a few post.

  13. #13
    Advanced Tuner
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Posts
    355
    Quote Originally Posted by blindsquirrel View Post
    Sure it can be done! But the people capable of doing it are Wizard-level. And with extensive knowledge and tools to handle all the reprogramming and the other things that would have to go along with. And a lot of money.

    This however appears headed in the "I'm building a spaceship, what kind of wood lathe should I buy?" direction. You aren't saving anything, either money or effort, by converting a V6 car. Quite the opposite.
    This reminds me of the mercedes forums with people wanting to convert their e320 to an e55. Ignoring the bcm issues which are enormous, the parts list alone costs more than buying the v8 car without even factoring in the money back from selling the original v6 car. The only way it ever makes sense is turning a stripped out roller chassis into a race only car.