I just found this IC on scantool.net, it is called "STN1110 Multiprotocol OBD II to UART Interpreter". It claims to be compatible with ELM327 command set, not exactly sure what it means.
Maybe some of the more advanced members could check it out. Possibility of replacing or use as a workaround in obduino? Price is also much nicer at 9.99 for individual chips.
EDIT:
this is the link for the page I saw it on
hxxp://www.scantool.net/scan-tools/ics/stn1110.html