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 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 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.
We can now convert a 95 EPROM ECU to be 100% compatible with a 97-99 or 1G style cam angle sensor. There is no need to swap plug wires around or select the “use non-95/96 style cam angle sensor” option in ECMLink if we have done this 97+ conversion on your 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.
ORDERING NOTE: Be sure to note in the order that the ECU will be used in a 97 or later car so that we know to do the 97 conversion on it while we're socketing the ECU.
You can use a 95 or 96 non-EPROM ECU but it will need to have our non-EPROM to EPROM conversion installed.
While installing the conversion we will move jumper J5 to J1 to convert the ECU to a 97. 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 same cam angle sensor as found on a 98/99 DSM.
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.
ORDERING NOTE: Be sure to note in the order that the ECU will be used in a 97 or later car so that we know to move the cam-signal inversion jumper.
To use your 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.