ECM Interchangability - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Marc Haibeck · 12-10-2012

I was wondering about ZR-1 ECM interchangeability. I did some testing and it appears that any model year ECM will work in any car. That is a 1990 ECM will work in a 1995 and a 1995 ECM will work in a 1990. The details of the testing are described below.

GM used three ECM part numbers across the six model years.
01228331 1990 to 1991.
16163993 1992 to about 1993 1/2.
16196394 about 1993 1/2 to 1995.

AC/Delco supplied the 16163993 as a remanufactured unit for repairs from about 2004 until about 2009. They shipped 16163993 regardless of what model year was ordered.

I removed a factory installed 1990 01228331 from a 1990 car. Then installed a 1995 BMCB calibration chip and installed the ECM on a 1995 car. Everything worked normally. The engine went into closed loop fuel control, it went into learning mode, the EGR worked normally, the ASR worked, the momentary contact full power key worked, and the engine data scanner displayed engine rpm with a resolution of 1 rpm. The ALDL data stream ran at 6.6 frames per second, just like a 1995 ECM.

I removed a factory installed 1995 16196394 ECM from a 1995 car. Then installed a 1990 AYBK calibration chip and installed the ECM on a 1990 car. Everything worked normally. The engine went into closed loop fuel control, it went into learning mode, the full power key worked. The engine data scanner displayed engine rpm with a resolution of 25 rpm. This is normal for a 1990 car. The ALDL data stream ran at 6.6 frames per second, just like a 1990 ECM.

A 16163993 ECM was tested in a 1995 car and it worked normally as a 1995 ECM would.
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Blue Flame Restorations · 12-10-2012

Good info to know. I have a rebuilt ECM in the box for a rainy day.

93 ZR1 Barcelona · 12-10-2012

Very interesting information to know.

As allways, thanks for all your dedication Marc.

=D>=D>=D>

QB93Z · 12-10-2012

Thanks Marc.

This information opens up a lot of options for keeping the ZR-1 Fleet healthy.

I am always impressed with the thoroughness of your testing. Is it OK if we print this in the Newsletter?

Jim

XfireZ51 · 12-10-2012

Marc,

I made sure the ZR crowd on CF also got the benefit of your research.

Torchred96 · 12-10-2012

Wow, Just remembering that one of the determining factors for buying this car instead of another lt1/4 was the fact that people like you and the existence of this forum gave me the confidence to take on a 140k mile Z car with hardly a second thought. I probably would have passed (and with good reason as it turns out) on it otherwise.

I seem to remember thinking I should stay away from a certain MY just because of the ECM issue, which If I'm reading this correctly is a non issue now?.

Thanks for all your hard work and ESPECIALLY your willingness to share as much as you do.

XfireZ51 · 12-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torchred96

Wow, Just remembering that one of the determining factors for buying this car instead of another lt1/4 was the fact that people like you and the existence of this forum gave me the confidence to take on a 140k mile Z car with hardly a second thought. I probably would have passed (and with good reason as it turns out) on it otherwise.

I seem to remember thinking I should stay away from a certain MY just because of the ECM issue, which If I'm reading this correctly is a non issue now?.

Thanks for all your hard work and ESPECIALLY your willingness to share as much as you do.

Sam,

Let's just say that with this information re:interchangeability and reliable sources for reman ECMs, availability is less of a problem than we thought.
Now if we could find someone who could re-write some of the code.

Blue Flame Restorations · 12-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Sam,

Let's just say that with this information re:interchangeability and reliable sources for reman ECMs, availability is less of a problem than we thought.
Now if we could find someone who could re-write some of the code.

or a supplier for DIS modules............

XfireZ51 · 12-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Flame Restorations

or a supplier for DIS modules............

Re-writing the code could be a step towards eliminating the DIS. Having said that, the module itself is a pretty stout piece.

Kevin · 12-10-2012

fantastic news marc, thanks for all you do for us

12-10-2012	#1
Marc Haibeck Join Date: May 2007 Location: Addison IL Posts: 252	ECM Interchangability I was wondering about ZR-1 ECM interchangeability. I did some testing and it appears that any model year ECM will work in any car. That is a 1990 ECM will work in a 1995 and a 1995 ECM will work in a 1990. The details of the testing are described below. GM used three ECM part numbers across the six model years. 01228331 1990 to 1991. 16163993 1992 to about 1993 1/2. 16196394 about 1993 1/2 to 1995. AC/Delco supplied the 16163993 as a remanufactured unit for repairs from about 2004 until about 2009. They shipped 16163993 regardless of what model year was ordered. I removed a factory installed 1990 01228331 from a 1990 car. Then installed a 1995 BMCB calibration chip and installed the ECM on a 1995 car. Everything worked normally. The engine went into closed loop fuel control, it went into learning mode, the EGR worked normally, the ASR worked, the momentary contact full power key worked, and the engine data scanner displayed engine rpm with a resolution of 1 rpm. The ALDL data stream ran at 6.6 frames per second, just like a 1995 ECM. I removed a factory installed 1995 16196394 ECM from a 1995 car. Then installed a 1990 AYBK calibration chip and installed the ECM on a 1990 car. Everything worked normally. The engine went into closed loop fuel control, it went into learning mode, the full power key worked. The engine data scanner displayed engine rpm with a resolution of 25 rpm. This is normal for a 1990 car. The ALDL data stream ran at 6.6 frames per second, just like a 1990 ECM. A 16163993 ECM was tested in a 1995 car and it worked normally as a 1995 ECM would. [/SIZE]

12-10-2012	#2
Blue Flame Restorations Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pendleton, IN Posts: 3,899	Re: ECM Interchangability Good info to know. I have a rebuilt ECM in the box for a rainy day. __________________ 1988 KOH Prototype EX5023 sold 1990 ZR-1 #444 Convertible 1990 ZR-1 Black #966 1991 ZR-1 Quazar Blue #296 1957 Duntov SS Project

12-10-2012	#3
93 ZR1 Barcelona Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Barcelona, SPAIN Posts: 41	Re: ECM Interchangability Very interesting information to know. As allways, thanks for all your dedication Marc. =D>=D>=D>

12-10-2012	#4
QB93Z Join Date: May 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 3,684	Re: ECM Interchangability Thanks Marc. This information opens up a lot of options for keeping the ZR-1 Fleet healthy. I am always impressed with the thoroughness of your testing. Is it OK if we print this in the Newsletter? Jim

12-10-2012	#5
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,686	Re: ECM Interchangability Marc, I made sure the ZR crowd on CF also got the benefit of your research.

12-10-2012	#6
Torchred96 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Homestead, Fl Posts: 247	Re: ECM Interchangability Wow, Just remembering that one of the determining factors for buying this car instead of another lt1/4 was the fact that people like you and the existence of this forum gave me the confidence to take on a 140k mile Z car with hardly a second thought. I probably would have passed (and with good reason as it turns out) on it otherwise. I seem to remember thinking I should stay away from a certain MY just because of the ECM issue, which If I'm reading this correctly is a non issue now?. Thanks for all your hard work and ESPECIALLY your willingness to share as much as you do.

12-10-2012	#10
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,624	Re: ECM Interchangability fantastic news marc, thanks for all you do for us __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"