new ECU from holden was about 900 (in 2004) and it takes about 3 hours to change it as they have to rip a whole lot of stuff out to replace it. (at $90-100/hr labour)
In the astra, swapping over the ECU only takes a few mins.
Wushibio, try calling AllAutoSpares here in Sydney, not only is he the cheapest in Oz,he could ship you one down via Auspost overnight if necessary.