Hey,

I'm looking to buy a Chevy Silverado Diesel. I have seen some 94-98 models in my price range. Is there an alternative to the Tech 2 that facilitates full dealer level diagnostics? I am not concerned with flash reprogramming as there are other tools for that. I am concerned with bi-directional testing and access to modules such as ABS, SRS, and BCM as well as the ability to do read\writes. Here are the alternatives I found.

1) GM MDI - GM MDI | eBay

There are other sites that have them reasonably priced and the software can be found on the torrents. I have read however that this is not a REPLACEMENT for the tech 2 and will only work on 09 or 10+ cars as far as diag goes. It can be used as a J2534 pass-thru to flash older cars, but not for bidirectional diag. Can anyone confirm this?

2) Vauxhaul Tech 2 Emulator

VauxhallTech 2 Emulator | Manufacturer Specific Tools | Discount Diagnostics

Has anyone used this for chevy? Apparently it works for Vauxhaul (Opel) and Sabb, but can't find any info for chevy.

3) DrewTech or AutoEnginuity.

Their descriptions state that they have support for factory specific PIDs, but mention nothing about the ability to do read\writes, programming, or otherwise bidirectional communication.

Drew Technologies : Introduction
AutoEnginuity® - OBD2 Scan Tool - Professional PC and PDA Diagnostics

4) EDIT: Forgot to add the VCM by HPTuners. Is this just a Tuner or does it support factory bidirectional and enhanced diag?

http://www.hptuners.com/products/vcmsuite.php
http://www.hptuners.com/products/vcmscanner.php

I have an ELM unit for general OBD II diag, but if I get another car, especially an automatic I am not going without bidirectional. Toyota has full factory diag for a few hundred with TechStream (and a J2534 cable), Honda has Honda HIM which can be purchased for a few hundred, and Volkswagen has the VAG COM which is very cheap.

Do I have any options, or should I just not get the chevy I love.