Ecm? Pcm? Tcm? What Do They Mean.

[punmax]

Hi guys, can someone please explain to me what all this means? How do they go into your truck? Can you take it out? How do you go back to stock? Thanks.

[svensk]

PCM = engine/tranny (unified core) control module for 99+ nbs trucks.

 

ECM = engine control module for NNBS '07+

 

TCM = transmission control module for NNBS '07+ (separate)

 

The new trucks have seperate modules for the engine computer and the tranny comp. You need to send both of those in to get tuned if you want to fully open up your Vmax's potential. With the older trucks a PCM could be yanked from any junkyard and tuned with software like EFIlive or HPtuners to work in your truck. With these newer and more complicated cores tuners don't have any yet to send out which is why it limits options unless you can live without driving your truck for a week or two while you send both of those units in to be tuned.

They just unscrew from the wiring harness in your engine bay. There's pretty detailed instructions all over this site with some searching.

[punmax]

So if I want to get a pcm tune, I have to take it out and send it? Handheld seems better to me, but I would hate having to rip it out everytime I go to the dealership. What is the pod held by? Those velcro things?

[svensk]

So if I want to get a pcm tune, I have to take it out and send it? Handheld seems better to me, but I would hate having to rip it out everytime I go to the dealership. What is the pod held by? Those velcro things?

In your new truck I have no idea. Mine it's a good sized metal box that sits in a retainer type thing next to my battery. Has a big shield over it you to take off.

[cerbomark]

do a search, there is alot of info you need to make your choice. You dont have to take out a tuned ecm when you visit the dealer (unless it s realted to the ecm, which is rare). Custom tunes are reportred to make more changes to the ecm than hand held type. But read on!

[LAGA]

As of this month Nelsons Performance has cores for the 07 NBS

http://www.nelsonperformance.com/

It may not say it on the site but they posted the info over on Performancetrucks.net

Just checked over there, someone posted that Wheatly has the cores also. If this is true, I bet all tuners will have cores available by the end of the month.

[Bostonsfavson]

The PCM (I don't believe they call it the ECM any longer on these trucks, as when I ordered a new one it was listed as "PCM core") on the NBS trucks is very accessible from under the hood and comes out in less than 30 seconds. If you're going the custom tuning route, the prices on new PCM cores have come down to about 250 dollars if you have an amenable parts guy. This is nice as you can buy an extra PCM core and have it flashed to your vehicle, which allows you to just pop it in when you want to send out your other PCM for tuning. On the 6 speed 6L80E transmission only, the TCM is located inside the transmision itself, meaning it can't be removed.