Buying an ECM on ebay for my swap, what VIN to give them?
 

I need an 0411 ECM for my 5.3 swap and the company will put any vin in that I want, but I don't know what to give them. If I could use the vin off my 68 c10 it's going into, that would be cool but it doesn't really matter, since there is no emission testing where I am and they don't care what vin the computer shows. All I need is a vin that will work for sure with my setup (5.3/4l60e in a 68 c10). I already screwed up and bought an ecm without finding what it was out of and now I have a v6 astro van 0411 ecm that does me no good. So basically, what do I need to tell this guy?

Oh, and I have HPTuners so I don't need it tuned, just with a vin that works.

Thanks in advance!

The Astro 411 PCM will work, you just need to flash it for a 5.3/4l60. You need an OS for a truck, shouldn't be too hard to find a truck VIN to use. A 68 C-10 VIN won't work though.

Yes, I agree, got to the tune repository and find a stock tune file for a 5.3/4l60e of the same year as what you have, and perform a write-entire to the 0411 PCM. No need to even change the vin on that PCM I don't believe.

From what I understood I have to use two extra credits to flash the astro pcm to the v8 OS. Basically have to license the astro vin and the truck vin. Is that not true? If I can just use the normal 2 credits could you explain how?

Correct, you will have to use a total of four credits: two for the V6 VCM and two more for the (1999 to 2004) OS of your choice.

How much is the guy selling the VCM's for plus shipping and / or taxes? You will still need to license that VCM once you get it so that needs to be in your thought process.

If you are going to buy a new VCM with "any" vin on it, choose one from 2002 - 2004, they have the newest OS and as such most custom options (even though you probably won't use most of it) compared to the earlier years (1999 - 2001).

For a stock runner, I would use a vin that is respective to your configuration. If it's some radical or modified engine / driveline, choose anything since you are going to build a calibration from ground zero.

I can get the vcm for $73.95 so it's cheaper than 2 more credits, so that is what I will do. Did they use the 0411 computer all the way until 2004? If so, my dad has an 04 with the 5.3 so I will just use his vin.