This is an old revision of the document!
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 1997 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 1997 DSM, you have to have to either replace the ECU with an EPROM 2G ECU (1995 being the only option) or you need to have your 1997 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 1997 ECU once you swap the plug wires around (more on that below).
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 1997 ECU converted from non-EPROM to EPROM.
For the 2G DSMs, there are a few different types of ECUs that are compatible with ECMLink.
The following sections break each of these down for you. 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 purchases.
You can run a 95 EPROM ECU by simply swapping the plug wires under the hood. See our plug swap page for details. It's really very easy.
You should also go into the ECU Config→Misc tab and check the “use non-95/96 style cam angle sensor” check box.
That's really all there is to running a 95 EPROM ECU in your 97 DSM.
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.
You can use a 95 or 96 non-EPROM ECU if you absolutely have to. But if you're going to use a non-EPROM ECU anyway, it's better to just use you stock 97 non-EPROM ECU.
If you do decide to use a 95 or 96 non-EPROM ECU, then you will need to select “2G non-EPROM conversion” in the socket/conversion option at the bottom of the ECMLink ordering page.
You will also need to swap your plug wires and check the cam angle sensor checkbox as described above for a 95 EPROM ECU.
To use you existing 97 non-EPROM ECU, you do not need to swap the plug wires or check the cam angle sensor checkbox because the 97 ECU was made to work with the cam angle sensor in your 97 DSM (of course).
All you need to do is select “2G non-EPROM conversion” in the socket/conversion option at the bottom of the ECMLink ordering page.