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Thread: 98 PCM VIN Change

  1. #1
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    98 PCM VIN Change

    I've tried looking this up, but I can't seem to figure out why I can't do this....

    Just so it's clear: ***I OWN THE 1998 Camaro/Firebird YEAR/MODEL LICENSE***

    I have a 1998 Trans Am. I bought another computer from another 1998 Trans Am and I want to change the VIN number in the new PCM to my VIN. When I enter my VIN number it rejects it and says "Invalid VIN". I can write to the computer just fine, but it will not let me change the VIN. Is there a trick to changing the VIN number in the 1998 model? I'm trying to figure this out just so it's like I have a spare computer.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Sounds dumb but did you verify the VIN?
    may be put a O instead of 0 ?

  3. #3
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    I retyped it 3 times while standing at the car. LOL. It's the right VIN, but it just says invalid.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by sweet-94z28 View Post
    I retyped it 3 times while standing at the car. LOL. It's the right VIN, but it just says invalid.
    I've read that HP Tuners won't recognise PCM with a 1998 VIN. As I understand it, the solution is to swap a later 0411 PCM with a fuel segment swap (and a couple of repins). HP Tuners says they support 1998-2002 Camaro/Firebird, so do I still need to swap PCM on my 1998 Trans Am?

  5. #5
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    Keep in mind the 98 ecm's don't store the vin in the flash, it is separate and why any .bin file from a 98 Camaro/Firebird won't have a vin number in it as its not there in the flash.
    It doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be done in two weeks...

    A wise man once said "google it"

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by cstavro View Post
    I've read that HP Tuners won't recognise PCM with a 1998 VIN. As I understand it, the solution is to swap a later 0411 PCM with a fuel segment swap (and a couple of repins). HP Tuners says they support 1998-2002 Camaro/Firebird, so do I still need to swap PCM on my 1998 Trans Am?
    98 F-body PCMs are 100% tunable with HP Tuners. Some swap them with a 0411 PCM for 'reasons' but it is not an absolute requirement. And the swap is more than a couple of repins. Like almost every pin in both connectors.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bill@HPTuners View Post
    Keep in mind the 98 ecm's don't store the vin in the flash, it is separate and why any .bin file from a 98 Camaro/Firebird won't have a vin number in it as its not there in the flash.
    Hi Bill,

    I recall you saying the '98 ecu has 98% of the tuneability of the later ecu. What is that 2%?

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by cstavro View Post
    Hi Bill,

    I recall you saying the '98 ecu has 98% of the tuneability of the later ecu. What is that 2%?
    Open a 98 LS1 file and open a 99 LS1 file, you can see the differences between the two.
    It doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be done in two weeks...

    A wise man once said "google it"