1982 & 1984 Corvette Engine Control Module Swap Secret

Shopping around for a 1982 Corvette Engine Control Module (ECM) can be quite a hassle nowadays. Not to mention, when you do get lucky and find one they are outrageously expensive. Luckily, the crew at Corvette Salvage is about to let you in on a little unknown secret in the Corvette realm.

1984 Corvette ECM’s come in two variations: one for a manual transmission and one for an automatic transmission. Each module has an EPROM chip attached which acts as the “brain” for the computer. Because the brain of the computer is programmed a certain way, we have come to the following conclusion:

Any 1982 Corvette Engine Control Module (ECM) can be replaced with an Engine Control Module (ECM) from a 1984 Corvette with an AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. No REWIRING is necessary. It is strictly a plug and play setup! No need to swap the EPROM chip. Just keep the 1984 Automatic EPROM chip in the 1984 ECM and plug it right up to any 1982 Corvette.

NOTE: This is not to say that an ECM from a 1984 Corvette with a manual transmission can’t be used with a 1982 Corvette. It most certainly can. However, it would require removing the EPROM chip from the 1984 manual transmission control module and replacing it with an EPROM chip from a 1984 automatic transmission control module.

Have a 1984 Manual Transmission ECM that you want to use with your 1982 Corvette? No worries. You can order the Corvette Salvage EPROM Chip Rebuilding Service and we will reprogram your 1984 manual transmission EPROM chip and convert it into an automatic chip which will then allow your ECM to work flawlessly with the plug-n-play setup for a 1982 Corvette.

NOTE: If you do manage to use a 1984 control module from a manual transmission Corvette in a 1982 Corvette without reprogramming the EPROM Chip, you will get a problem with a very high idle RPM.

At the end of the day, finding a 1984 Corvette automatic transmission ECM is easier and definitely cheaper. We have taken the time to do our research and we have linked both control modules below. Take a look for yourself and let us know what you think.

GM Part Numbers for Engine Control Module’s associated with this article are as follows:

UPDATE: As of September 29th, 2021, Corvette Salvage is offering a rebuilding service for both 1982 and 1984 Engine Control Modules. If you have your old module and would like to have it rebuilt, check out the services below: