How to run ECMLink in a 96 DSM

The core piece of ECMLink is a flash module plug-in that goes into place of a stock EPROM chip. To use ECMLink, your ECU needs to have an EPROM chip inside so that we can remove that chip, install a socket and then install our V3 flash module into this socket.

Unfortunately, there were no 1996 DSM ECUs produced from the factory as EPROM ECUs (other than a couple rare engineering samples that slipped out). So in order to run ECMLink in a 1996 DSM, you have to either replace the ECU with an EPROM 2G ECU (1995 being the only option) or you need to have your 1996 ECU converted from non-EPROM to EPROM.

If you already have a 1995 EPROM ECU available to you, then that's going to be the cheapest route and, really, won't be any different than running a 1996 ECU. Everything is the same between a 95 and 96 ECU.

But if you do not already have a 1995 EPROM ECU available to you, the cheapest and easiest route is going to be having your 1996 ECU converted from non-EPROM to EPROM.

For the 2G DSMs, there are a few different types of ECUs that are compatible with ECMLink.

• 95 EPROM ECU (MD312464 or MD309947 with “E” on the case label)
• 95 non-EPROM ECU (MD312464 or MD309947 without “E” on the case label)
• 96 non-EPROM ECU (MD321911 or MD321912)
• 97 non-EPROM ECU (MD326328 or MD335287)

We do usually have ECUs in stock too, if you can't find one yourself. We sell them directly off our website with new ECMLink package purchasesmade directly through us. If you plan to order your ECMLink package from a reseller, we ask that the reseller work with you to locate an appropriate ECU. They are simply too hard to keep in stock for all the resellers out there.

The following sections break each of these options down for you with regard to running each in a 1996 DSM.

You can run a 95 EPROM ECU interchangeably with a 96 DSM ECU. No changes are necessary to anything. If the engine was running on a 1996 ECU before, then it will run exactly the same after swapping the 96 ECU out for a 95 EPROM ECU.

When you place your ECMLink order off our website, you will simply select “Socket EPROM ECU” as your socket/conversion option at the bottom of the page, assuming the ECU has not already been socketed for you. Check to see.

Running a non-EPROM 95 or 96 ECU is no problem. You just need to select “2G non-EPROM conversion” in the socket/conversion option at the bottom of the ECMLink ordering page. Then you'll send us your ECU, we'll do the conversion, install ECMLink and then return it back to you.

It would be a little unusual to run a 97 ECU in a 96 DSM, but it's certainly possible. The one advantage would come into play if you have replaced your 96 cam angle sensor with a non-96 style sensor (like a 1G 1990-1994 or a 1997-1999 cam angle sensor). In that case, using a 97 ECU in your 96 DSM would allow you to run a “stock” plug wire configuration. You wouldn't have to swap plug wires around or select “CAS inversion” in ECMLink.

But it's unusual because people just don't generally have a 97 ECU lying around. If they have a 96 non-EPROM ECU, they would normally just use that and the swap the plug wires around if necessary.

When you place your order online, you'll need to select “2G non-EPROM conversion” in the socket/conversion option at the bottom of the ECMLink ordering page.