Author Topic: Differences between Opel, Saturn and Pontiac ECMs (Read 23167 times)

Arabas · « **on:** October 01, 2009, 03:21:52 AM »

I believe that Westers is the most appropriate person to answer this question, but maybe a lot fo you already know the answer to the question that has been troubling me for a while for a few reasons.

Is the mapping of the ECM of an Opel GT is exactly the same as Saturn Sky Redline and Pontiac Solstice GXP exactly the same? (same year model and same tranny)
Westers has worked with all the 3 cars and maybe he has noticed any differences or that they are exactly the same.

The reasons why i am asking is because i am thinking of buying (from USA) a spare ecm to tune and the other reason is that Opel in Greece is giving us a hard time importing the GMPP upgrade kit, because they believe the ecm is mapped diferrently for the Sky Redline.

U4EA · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:08:04 AM »

Last year I purchased 2 ECMs from totaled Redlines, same year same tranny as my GXP and was able to install them in my car doing a security relearn (3-10 minute steps) and the car operated fine. Should work for you.

Arabas · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2009, 07:29:13 AM »

3 -10 minutes steps???
hmmmm... i suppose there is a procedure for swapping ecm. U4EA can you provide the link for this proccess?
your case shows that GXP and Redline have the exact same mapping of ecm. being a continent away, i want to make sure it is the same mapping of ecm for Opel GT too, so as to get a new one and tune it.

snaponbob · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2009, 08:34:52 AM »

Lyndon will tell that the Redline and GXP OS's ARE different enough that has to tweak them differently. The 2007 ARE different than 2008-2009. The Opel OS is written to comply with EU emissions rules. Example; Lyndon sent me a tune file for some another BB member's 07 GXP (at my strong request even though he said it may not work well on my car it's a Redline) and after I actually got the car to START, it was awful, even after a bunch of drive cycles. STOCK, the OSs may be sufficiently compatible but once "tuned" may not be.

U4EA · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:12:25 AM »

I believe that DeepBlueGXP first posted the procedure for swapping ECMs.
1. Recommended to disconnect the battery or remove fuses 42/43 first to power down ECM.
2. Swap out ECMs.
3. Reconnect battery or replace fuses.
4. Turn on ignition to attempt to start car, car will not start, leave ignition on until yellow security lock light turns off, about 10 minutes.
5. Turn off ignition.
6. Turn on ignition to attempt to start car, car will not start, leave ignition on until yellow security lock light turns off, about 10 minutes.
7. Turn off ignition.
8. Turn on ignition to attempt to start car, car will not start, leave ignition on until yellow security lock light turns off, about 10 minutes.
9. Turn off ignition.
10. Turn on ignition and attempt to start car, if successful the car should now start.

Once the car and spare ECMs have been matched, each time you swap ECMs you will do 1 key cycle to attempt to start car and it will not start, turn off ignition and then turn on ignition and start the car. No more delay, just 1 failed attempt and immediate retry and start.

My ECMs: GXP Stock factory with GMPP tune
Spare, Redline factory with GMPP tune and my VIN currently in car
Spare, Redline factory stock tune with my VIN to go with old sensors back to total stock

Intresting when buying used ECMs that none were available for GXPs only Redlines, something about the drivers maybe?

Arabas · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:21:18 AM »

U4EA, i cannot thank you enough!! info provided by you end DeepBlueGXP is precious!!!
if i go with the solution of swapping ECM's (stock and tuned) i have all the info needed!

U4EA · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:48:33 AM »

One thing to watch in swapping out ECMs is to check the engine oil life monitor on the DIC as to what it is before you swap and what it is after you swap. The ECM will maintain that information from when it was last used and not match what your actual usage is at the present time.

Arabas · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:56:41 AM »

Noted! i wonder if Lyndon or anyone else who knows (actually have seen) differences between the mapping of the ECM's of these 3 cars have seen this post. they would really help..

U4EA · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2009, 05:20:10 AM »

Trifecta, Westers, PCM all start with your VIN and get the most current updated program from GM. They then tune from there. If you get an ECM from the year of your car there should not be any issues, even if you get an ECM from an automatic and yours is standard, that will be changed as your factory base tune they will work from will reflect that.
What is your ECM Service # (SERVNO) on your ECM? Compare that with same year Redline or GXP and they should match.

Arabas · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2009, 06:02:24 AM »

My GT is MY08 and my OEM ECM Serv# is 12614967. if yours is MY08, we can compare.
so you think that if i get a 08 ECM and send Westers or Trifecta or another tuner all my ecm numbers, then they could tune it and send it back to me ready to plug and play?
that s what i am looking for, along with a cable to send the tuner any problems or be able to receive updates..

U4EA · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2009, 06:35:06 AM »

Your # shows to be a good # but GM has a new #12623326 as a new replacement if ordered from them so either one should work in your car. The new part # on GMpartsdirect is $5200.00 and with shipping is $6292!? Something wrong with that.

My car is an '07 therefore my #'s are different than yours. YNUS #12605038

You can send your ECM to Westers or PCM or another and they can get you fixed up but updating will be a problem without HPTuners or returning the ECM.
Trifecta tune with their cable will allow you datalog and update with a laptop I believe and not return the ECM or buy HPTuners. I don't think Trifecta can tune without the car. Check with Vince or CJ on the ins and outs as they are new to the Kappa platform.

Arabas · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2009, 07:02:01 AM »

i think there somthing wrong with their prices... i checked and it shows $272.76, which is normal, but there are better prices out there.
I was thinking that the tuner could buy an ecm from US, tune it and send it to me. that s the idea. i will contact them and see if this is an option..
Thx U4EA!

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2010, 01:27:03 PM »

Arabas,

Did you ever get this figured out? I am curious what you decided to go with. I don't know if you can have the tuner buy the ECM for you and then tune it. They do pop up on EBAY and a some junk yards from time to time. I am not the closest person to Wester's, Trifecta or any other tuner for that matter, but if you need some help getting this done and there is a way I can help being in the US, let me know.

Gentleman Jack

Arabas · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2010, 03:13:34 PM »

Hey Gentleman Jack, thx a lot for offering to help!! i really appreciate this!
i wnated to try something new (new for Greece) and at the same time i thought that a custom tune would be the best. but the process of swapping ECMs and sending them back and forth halfway around the world wasn t that appealing.

so i went with Trifecta along with 9 other GT owners.
Vince has sent us the files but we haven t received the cables yet, so no feedback for the moment (Vince will be on holidays from 9 to 31 of January) so if we don t manage to get our GTs tuned until January 9th, i will be able to have a clear image first week of February.

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2010, 04:09:14 PM »

Arabas,

Keep us all posted! Glad all 9 of you were able to find a solution! Where are the pics of all 9 of these GTs!!!!

Kelu · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2010, 05:52:43 PM »

Arabas: you know you could do same process with westers but instead of Trifecta cable one of you to get HPTuners, right?

I have HPTuners licensed with all 2008 Opel GTs, so now you only have to do an offer for me to travel to Athens

Arabas · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2010, 10:39:24 AM »

Gentleman Jack, for sure i will keep u posted and we will take some pics when we all gather. there are several pics of the greek Opel GT club, i will post some of them soon.

Kelu, why should i invite u and your HPTuners in Greece? this place is just a pile of rocks

hahahahahhahahaha!!!

Trifecta offered a solution that was easy for us and the price was good, so we chose his tune (plus we had heard good words about Vince).
i am pretty sure Westers tune would also be a blast, but the proccess was a bit more complicated and we didn t want to invite Kelu to Athens

Kelu · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:33:04 PM »

Ok, George, be aware, I might come to Greece this year, maybe to a track day at Serres (because I don't like watching sitting piled rocks). I would like to "align" you and some of your friends

Arabas · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2010, 03:51:42 AM »

let me know if you come to Greece. Serres is a long way from Athens (for the distances that we are used at in Greece), but maybe it will be a good chance to organise an Opel GT trip to Serres

parkcaka · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2010, 03:29:51 PM »

Hey Arabas nice thread!

I have a 2009 GT and greeting you from Istanbul:)

I also talked with Vince and will be getting my tune after his holiday but I kind of scared of what you wrote in another thread about the base tune:( how is it going? is it still acting weird? is the performance or drive changed even when you go back to your stock tune?

take care.

G8TR · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2010, 04:16:58 PM »

And another country heard from. Welcome to the best Kappa forum on the net!

parkcaka · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2010, 06:00:01 PM »

Quote from: G8TR on January 19, 2010, 04:16:58 PM

And another country heard from. Welcome to the best Kappa forum on the net!

thanks g8TR. there are only 6 GTs imported to Turkey in 2007-2009 in total:)

so you know, i feel lonely in here

all you people you better give me a hug hehe.

LatinVenom · « **Reply #22 on:** January 19, 2010, 07:11:02 PM »

Welcome to the forum.

Critterman · « **Reply #23 on:** January 19, 2010, 08:12:54 PM »

and hugs it is

welcome

MEGAS · « **Reply #24 on:** January 20, 2010, 05:41:27 AM »

hello from Greece as well,friend of arabas and i own a 07 Opel Gt with EDS and other nice mods.

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Welcome Guest!!!

Author Topic: Differences between Opel, Saturn and Pontiac ECMs (Read 23167 times)