will the 96 version work on a 97? they are different part #s. im getting rid of mine and wanted to make sure before i did.

 

Hey man... yes, they should interchange without any problems.

 

then why the hell do they have different part #s.

thanx ion, im tired of it collecting dust in the corner

 

Simple... marketing trick.
Let's say you have a 96 and you've got a programmer for it and I have a 97. I notice they have different part numbers so I'll buy it from them just because they say it's different, instead of buying it from you.
BUT, most of the other part number differences do matter.