So i thought I would share some information that I tried by experimentation.
I purchased a 1996 PCM that was used for short money, my goal was to keep it as a spare for my '96 LT4 Vette since parts are getting harder to come by.
I removed my PCM and installed this used PCM. I took out my Tech 2 Clone, opened my Windows XP Netbook that I had previously installed the TIS 2000 software (this software disk came with the Tech 2 Clone). I opened the TIS 2000 application and went to the "Service Program Application" and followed the steps to "Reprogram ECU".
Now this used PCM obviously had a different VIN. So during the program when it prompted me to see if the VIN was correct I deleted the old VIN and entered in my cars VIN.
Then I uploaded the program for my VIN into the TECH 2 Clone per the prompts, disconnected the Tech 2 Clone from my Netbook and connected my Tech 2 Clone to my OBDII port. I turned the ignition ON without starting the car and selected "Service Programming System" followed the prompts and watched the TECH 2 Clone load my VIN programming for my car.
It worked great, in fact I bought a second 1996 PCM off Ebay for $150.00 and performed the same procedure and that one worked just as well!
After I used my JET DST to upload my Tune for my engine into the PCMs. The Tech 2 will obviously only install the factory calibrations. Now I have two spares in case my original fails.
Hope this information is helpful.


TIS 2000 Application

Here is where you select Reprogram ECU

These are the prompts for the Tech 2 setup.

 

Very neat!

Soon we'll be able to do this on the '96 Corvette and '96-'97 Camaros without a Tech 2 using free software, but it's very neat to see how the dealership would've performed the same procedure. Thanks!

 

Your welcome!

 

ok, I am almost 70 years old. I have read in a bunch of places that you cant reprogram any of that stuff after system 2, Your just stuck with what you have and any engine upgrades are useless.I have a 86, How is one supposed to get around that?

 

Your '86 does not have any reprogrammable components, at least not in the way this thread is about. That started in 1994. Your computer uses a hard-coded MEMCAL chip. This chip can be replaced or modified if you have the appropriate hardware to do so and software to modify said code. Whether you will benefit from such an effort depends on what modifications have been done to your engine. If you are stock, best to just leave it alone.

Apologies to OP if this is off-topic.

 

Curious to know more information about this free software. Do you have any links or details?

 

Indeed! The creator of EEHack created a new flash tool that currently supports $EE as well as P66 (V6), and intends to add OBD2 $EE support this year. At the moment several members of Gearhead-EFI are also working on the ability to unbrick bricked PCMs.

More info here: http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Inj...LT1-flash-tool

Download can be found in that user's signature. Again, OBDII is not yet supported, but it will be soon(tm).

 

I actually have a tech 2 for newer vehicles. The machine was about 150$ and the tis2000 hack was free. Saved my *** several times on the new(er) trucks lol

 

First I only have a 1996 with the OBD II, this is all I could experiment with so I can't check other years.
I think it can also work on the 94, 95 model years as well, but I could be wrong.
The TIS 2000 software comes with the Tech 2 scanner. I am sure the software can be easily duplicated but correct me if I am wrong. What good would it do if you don't have a Tech 2 scanner?
The software loads the VIN specific PCM program into the Tech 2 scanner.

 

We already have software that works perfectly with the 94-95--better than the Tech 2, in fact. Flashhack is "unbrickable," in that it can recover from any type of failure during flash (power loss, laptop crash, cable failure, etc) whereas the Tech 2 cannot recover if any of those things happen during the flash procedure.

The benefit is that it allows you to flash whatever you want to your PCM. You can do realtime tuning, change transmission operation (on the 4L60E automatics), change your VIN and CAL ID, etc. It's incredibly useful.

At the moment there is no tool other than a Tech 2 for flashing factory tunes, or JET DST for flashing aftermarket tunes to the OBDII cars. This year that will change and we will have a free solution just like we do for the 94-95 cars.

 

Wow, that is good news and will help a lot of people with C4s!