Looking for some advice and information regarding my PCM.
A little while back I purchased a PCM from ZZPerformance (it was a starting point) with plans to customize the tune with my HPTuners. Now the time has come to tune. But I’ve run into a problem, the VIN and OSID are not matched, which causes a licensing error in HPT. Basically, I have PCM service number 09380717 (2000 model year), running OS 9352809 (1998 GTP), and it shows the VIN # for a 2000 Monte Carlo. So, HPTuners gives a VIN/OSID mismatch error. My engine is out of a 2002 GTP.
My plan is to send this PCM back to ZZP and ask them to change either the VIN only or both the VIN & OS. My question is what would be the best way to go?
1. Change the VIN to a 1998 GTP VIN and then license this with HPT? Will this even work? Can I have a PCM with a 2000 model year service number licensed as a 1998?
2. Or should I ask them to change the OS to a 2000 OS and the VIN to a 2000 GTP and then license that with HPT? I don’t know if they can even make all those changes.
The only other thing I’m wondering is which would be better for tuning purposes? The 1998 or the 2000? With the 2002 GTP engine I know I’ll need to modify the MAF tables if I use the 1998 PCM but I believe those can just be modified/imported. Or I may go through the MAF calibration procedure.
If none of the above are good options then I’ll just hit the junkyard and grab another PCM out of a GTP, but I’m hoping to not have to go that route.
Have you E-mailed ZZP yet? you can E-mail them your .HPT file. since you have Hp Tuners they can probably fix this through E-mail
ZZP gets a bad wrap around here, but they have done nothing but help me with my PCM.
When you open the VCM Scanner what type of vehicle does the scanner think your car is? Even though my PCM was out of a 1998 Bonneville it's programed as a 1998 Grand Prix.
One option is to get a 98 PCM and copy the zzp tables over. FYI , a 98 PCM will run a 3800 Fiero without any changes. Zzp and others use one base tune and just overwrite the PCM program but do not change the VIN. It can be almost any GM v6 PCM from 98-2003 that looks like yours. Another option is to open in tiny tuner (freeware) and you might be able to change it there. Also, I can email you a 1998-2004 base bin file or you can get from ClubGP.
Contact Chris at HP Tuners, explain the problem and ask for a work around. Chris is usually very helpful to HP customers.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I have scanned the PCM and did do a "Read Entire." That all worked fine. Right now the scanner thinks the car is a 2000 Monte Carlo though, with an OS # for a 98 Grand Prix GTP. That's the problem. I could maybe e-mail the .hpt file and all but I don't think there would be any way for me to upload the new file to the PCM since I can't license it. HPT won't let me license it with the mismatch of VIN and OS. From everything I've read you can't do anything without licensing and HPT can't do a complete overwrite like a GM Tech 2. Even if HPT did let me license this PCM, I don't want to license a Monte Carlo.
So far I haven't contacted ZZP or HPT since I wasn't sure what I was going to ask them to do, but that will be my next step. I think I'll ask HPT if changing the VIN to a 98 GTP will allow this PCM to be licensed. Then hopefully ZZP can just change the VIN and I'll be good to go with a 98 PCM.
I have to say, the car does run quite good with the programming from ZZP. There are some minor drivability issues (hence the reason I want to do a more custom tune in the actual car), but otherwise they did program this PCM quite nicely based on the list of mods I sent to them.
I have scanned the PCM and did do a "Read Entire." That all worked fine. Right now the scanner thinks the car is a 2000 Monte Carlo though, with an OS # for a 98 Grand Prix GTP. That's the problem. I have to say, the car does run quite good with the programming from ZZP. There are some minor drivability issues (hence the reason I want to do a more custom tune in the actual car), but otherwise they did program this PCM quite nicely based on the list of mods I sent to them.
My DHP tuner can change the VIN as needed. I guess HPT would loose money if they did that.
Well, contacted HPT and they fixed me up to be able to license this PCM. I'm still waiting to hear from ZZP about changing the VIN, but it looks like I'm on my way regardless.
As for changing the VIN with HPT, the following criteria need to be met:
◾ You must have support for the vehicle you are modifying. ◾ You must have support for the new VIN you are trying to write. ◾ The new VIN must be valid and must qualify for the OS currently found on the VCM.
