Hello,
To start, forgive my ignorance with flashing and tuning ECU's. Never had the opportunity, or need, to delve into this and learn it other than rudimentary second hand info.
I have a '93 Miata and I am swapping in a LM4 5.3 from a 2004 Buick Ranier with a 2002 Camaro T56. I will be using a DBC throttle and have always been told, and read, the easiest route to go with this configuration is to use a "0411" P01 GM ECU from a manual trans vehicle. Preferably from a 2002 or later V8 Camaro or Firebird. That has always been my plan until the other day. While researching gauge options I decided that I really want to run the Miata CAN Bus gauge panel that V8 Roadsters developed along with Speedhut as I cannot stand the digital instrument clusters and gauges. I also understand that I can use the original Miata gauges by adding additional sending units on the motor but since the T56 never came with a mechanical speedo drive you have to run a converter from Speedhut or Dakota Digital to drive the speedometer. I don't have a problem with that last option except I have been told these speedo drive converters are not the greatest. They tend to lag under acceleration and the needle can frequently be "shaky" during constant speed operation. Not sure I want to deal with that.
My problem is I do not believe the P01 (0411) ECU's will run CAN Bus gauges as GM was using a J1850 protocol back then that was their own pre-CAN Bus thing and it will not run newer, true, CAN Bus gauges. The E38 ECU from 2006 and later 5.3 Express Vans will run CAN Bus gauges and have DBC functionality but none of these ever came with a manual trans.
Electric fans are not necessarily a problem. I would prefer to run them straight from the ECU but I understand there are other options to run E-fans off the ECU.
I have been told to avoid the GM E40 ECU's at all costs. Due to their hybridized nature between two GM ECU architectures they make tuning a PITA and do some real funky things that make running them in a swap not great.
I do not want to run aftermarket ECU's or engine management systems due to cost. So no Holley, Mega-Squirt or anything else aftermarket.
I realize I am putting a lot of restrictions on this that are severely limiting my options but I understand that and I am willing to live with the results.
So, my specific questions to the forum are:
1.) Can the earlier P01 or P59 GM ECU's run, or be made to run, modern CAN Bus gauges?
2.) Can the later E36 ECU's from the Express Vans be configured for manual trans vehicles?
3.) Does anybody have another GM ECU option I am not aware of that would be a viable candidate.

Thank you in advance for any help,
Bill Matthis
93 MX5 - LM4 5.3 - T56 - V8R Kit - CTS-V Diff