Replacing the ECM, what's involved?

[Michael_D]

I'm getting conflicting stories. What's really involved with replacing an E38??

I got a guy (who in his words, "has tuned tons of cars") telling me that I can buy any ol' E38 off ebay, from any car, any year, swap it into any vehicle, use HPT to flash my VIN and tune file to it - and that's all it takes. I think this guy if full of it. There has to be more to an ECM change than that. Or is it really that simple?

And I did attempt to search this..... I dunno why, but the search function apears to be down. Either that or it doesn't like "ECM", even when using additioanl search terms.

[DSteck]

If it's from the same type of vehicle, you can use HPT minus the fact that 3.0 won't write a VIN.

If you're trying to put a truck computer in a Camaro, it needs to be flashed through SPS first.

[Michael_D]

Thanks Dave.

So then model year doesn't matter. What's the deal with the truck ECM? And what's SPS?

[Chkengine]

http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/sh...ogram/tis2web/

http://genisysotc.com/pdfs/526933GMSPSManual.pdf

[Michael_D]

Oh...duh.... Tech2 stuff....

Thanks for the links. I have some homework.

I have been playing with the notion of trying a newer operating system for my personal car, 08 C6Z06. I was told that I would need to use a newer ECM, like 09 or 10 to do this, and that I'd have to get the dealer or someone with GM tools/access to do it, or there would be conflicts with the BCM. Then someone else told me that I could do it with HPT, and model year didn't make any difference. So at this point, I'm not sure what to believe. But if Dave says it can be done, he'd be the guy to listen to.

[DSteck]

I've done three 06s running on 09 hardware. It's not terribly difficult but requires tools.

[Sébast19X]

Is there anyone that could help us to do the swap ? We can start a group buy. I have now in my hand a Corvette 2010 ECM brand new.

I have also access to TIS2 from a friends.

What is the procedure now ?

Can I do this swap and kept my VIN number ?

Help would be VERY, VERY appreciate.

I could pay anyone who want to help me through this.

Best regards,

Seb

[Sébast19X]

As per what I have found:

* Replace my 2008 E38 with the 2010 E38 in my right fender
* Flash it with a 2010 C6 Z06 calibration with TIS2
* Run with EFI live and write a ''false VIN'' saying my 2008 VIN
* Looking for bug with EBCM.
* Finally enjoy the new MAF curve, new injectors limits and some more O2 parameters
* This is the way I will try it soon.

Also I'm wondering why ECT mult. in the base running airflow section was different from the 2008 to 2010 calibration....

Seb

[Michael_D]

Good luck Seb. Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you, and if you get access to the tables.

[Sébast19X]

I will try my best and report back as soon as i got success or I lock the ECM and crap every
thing

[erick_e]

I replaced the 2009 E38 in my LS7 with a 2010-2013 E38 off eBay.

Installed it in my car (as I couldn't do stand alone programming), hooked it up to my Bosch M-VCI, reprogrammed it with a 2010 VIN from GM SPS, did a clutch sensor relearn, and crankshaft position relearn.

Left the 2010 VIN as it, and all works fine.

[Sébast19X]

I replaced the 2009 E38 in my LS7 with a 2010-2013 E38 off eBay.

Installed it in my car (as I couldn't do stand alone programming), hooked it up to my Bosch M-VCI, reprogrammed it with a 2010 VIN from GM SPS, did a clutch sensor relearn, and crankshaft position relearn.

Left the 2010 VIN as it, and all works fine.

Wow perfect make sense. 2009+ EBCM are Bosch. My only concern at this moment, is the 2008 EBCM are Delphi. And it not seems a plug and play swap from 2008 to 2009. Also wheels bearing and ABS stuff are different from 2008 to 2009. If the new ECM 2010+) can communicate flawlesly with my 2008 EBCM I think i will good to go. I will know this very soon.

[Sébast19X]

Ok, I've got the 2010 ECM today by USPS. I will flash it this week end with the TIS and after then, i will use my EFI live to put my 2008 VIN into it.

I will let you know if thing work or if i'll crap an almost brand new ECM ....


Seb

[DSteck]

It should. 06-07 people are the ones who will struggle. You may lose comms with the ABS module though.

[barum]

It should. 06-07 people are the ones who will struggle. You may lose comms with the ABS module though.

Meaning it just takes more work or it's not practical?

[Sébast19X]

Hey hey !!! Great news !!!

As mentionned previously, I flashed it with the TIS 2 with a 2010 C6 Z06 VIN number. I d'ont have flashed it yet with my 2008 VIN number.
The car start flawlessly, no codes at all NOTHING. Seems to communicate well with the EBCM too. Brakes seems to work well, and I have run the car only to put it out of the garage. I don't know at this moment if I will put my 2008 VIN on it .

For now , I'm happy !!!
Seb

[Michael_D]

What tables do you have access to with the 2010 ecm that you did not with the 2008?

[DSteck]

Extended IFR range and MAF, and the 2010 supports launch control. Launch control is the feature I'm not sure will work.

C6s don't care about a VIN mismatch for whatever reason.

[Michael_D]

Thanks Dave.

Are there any additional O2 tables?

[DSteck]

Not that I've seen.