i know the ecm on the crossfires are pretty slow an ive been trying to figure out if i can upgrade it make it faster. ive heard an 84 ecm is just a plug an play and that it has a faster processor then the 82. im not sure if that is true. I was wondering if anyone has done this swap? i also read somewhere that i guess a 1988-92 tbi ecm will work just have to put a different plug on the end witch i could do that just trying to figure out if anyone has done either of these things.

 

When I have bought rebuilt ECM's in the past the '82 thru '84's had the same part number because they used the same CrossFire Injection system.

 

First it depends on what type of performance you are looking to obtain with your 82. There isn't an 88-92 tbi ecm, they were TPI (Tuned Port Injection from 1985) which is totally different than the TBI systems on our CRI's. And I am not sure that ECM would work with our systems. There is a company in Phoenixville PA, (Phila area) that sells upgraded ECM for our vehicles. Can't remember their name, begins with a "D". And that can get a little expensive to do for the results you may be looking for.
But anyway you can do some engine upgrades, bore out the TB's, etc., etc.
Or you can do some simple upgrades with a complete tune-up to get a little bit more power and performance from your 82.
1- new plugs, cap, rotor (MSD has a cap kit which is very good)
2- new upgraded performance coil & ignition module (Pertronix offers good choices for our CFI's)
3- new ignition wires if needed
4- replace fuel filter
5- some members like to run Seafoam through the engine, I use Lucas Injector cleaner in mine with each fill up, my injectors spray great.
6- and finally as some members really have had great results with...a Hypertech chip for the ECM.. send a PM to hugie82 as he has one installed for years and is very satisfied with the results.

My 82 is very responsive, has good power, good passing gear, great response from WOT's and will hit triple digits with no problem, and all with 136,000 miles plus. And it cruises at highway speeds effortlessly.
Whatever you decide, I am sure you see some type of improvement.
Have fun................Tom

 

The hypertec change a CFI engine into a different animal as far as drivability and a nice boost in power. It changes timing curves, torque converter lock up, air/fuel ratio and idle. Stage 2 is more aggressive and works best in cooler areas. It is used with a 160 thermostat and in hot areas it's hard to maintain that temp without spend some cash on a nice cooling system.
The 84 ECM is the same but I think it has the electric fan control built into it. The speed of the ECM is slower but 60 x a second is pretty fast and will correct any input faster than you'll ever detect it. NastyZ28.com will be your go to sight for ECM up grades but the amount of money and effort really wouldn't be worth it. Most would just buy an aftermarket FI system and disconnect the stock ECM. On a stock motor, you would see VERY LITTLE in gains. Maybe an extra 500 rpm . If you have a good running CFI and the plenum gasket was replaced with the felpro replacement and all vacuum leaks are plugged. I would strongly recommend the Chip/prom. It takes less than 5 minutes to replace and is the best bang for the buck. I drive my vette hard 8 months out of the year averaging about 5-8000 miles a year. I havent had a problem in 10 years since I went through the car, fixed the problem areas and installed the chip. My only complaint (it seems to be with every CFI) is at random the idle will raise for no reason and then settle back down. It's never extreme but 1000 rpm is as high as it's ever gone up.

 

I have not bought the chip but may some day.the two draw backs that I see are I think 160 temp is a little cold .my car runs best when warm.maybe the o2 sensor likes it hotter .and that you have to run premium gas.most do seem to like the chip.

 

That is only if you use the Stage 2 chip, I still have the Stage 1 in the box, hardly used from the seller....but just have never installed it yet....I can retain the 180 degree thermostat that is in there and I already use premium gas, so I wouldn't let that stop you.....I have to find mine and install, anyway it's time for a tune-up check on my 82.
I think if I end up keeping my 82 which I probably will then I will look at some upgrades.....but to the OP, as has been said on many occasions by many, the CFI when properly running is hard to beat for everyday reliability, even without upgrades.......

 

In reality, there are many ECM's that could run your system. I really hate the connector on those early ones as they are unreliable.

You could even run something like a Megasquirt or Microsquirt to get easy tuning.

 

In all due respect to your reply, how is the connector unreliable???
Unless you have had a problem in the past with that connector. and as with everything else, because one problem with one item doesn't mean it is a problem for everyone!!!
To spend money on another ECM just to get faster processing, when you can do other upgrades that will benefit you more, unless of course your ECM is faulty and needs replacement, why bother???
I have put over 66,000 miles on my 82 in just over 3 years. It just cracks me up and again no disrespect to anyone, but there are a lot of C3 owners that don't even put 600 miles per year on their C3's....No flames please, and yes I have other Vettes that don't see a lot of mileage per year.
My 82 runs great, I try to keep it in the best shape possible mechanically being my "dd". I don't understand why the OP would need a faster computer to control the parameters unless he would be using the Vette for some type of competition.
I have plently of power, can keep up or walk away from just about anything out there within reason. There has been plenty on my rear bumper from time-to-time on the highway and when I go, they are left behind only to catch up when I back out of it, and move over.
As been said many times before it seems that the 82 & 84's get a bad rap because of the CFI. Just get the CFI to run as it is supposed to and then make a decision whether or not you need more power or whatever. Now granted I also do not have a cat and I do have true dual exhaust, so that may be a little bit of an advantage over a totally stock CFI, but still in IMO when set-up & tuned properly, they are hard to beat for "dd" chores.....as mentioned in my previous post......

 

I run the hypertec stage 1 with a 195 thermostat with no problems but I have access to 93 octane. Hypertec requires 91 octane.
As far as connectors go.... I've never had anything relating to the CFI fail or crack. I've had alt, temp sending unit and other standard GM stuff break. I have probably about 150,000 on my vette on the original engine. I'm the second owner and the transmission was replaced somewhere around 90,000
For $150 for the stage 1 with a 5 minute install, that would be the first thing I would do. Other than any safety issue. It makes that much of a difference compared to the original OEM chip/prom.

 

There's a reason that connector only lasted a couple years. I was a GM tech and fixed many cars simply by tightening the terminals in the connector

 

Not trying to sound like a SA, but if that is all it took to fix the connector, then problem solved????
And then i imagine an improvement was made by GM with future connectors. That still would not neccesiate a replacement ECM, especially if your tighten of the terminals worked.

 

what make of chip do you have?

 

I have the Hypertech chip.....i just keep forgetting to install it.....will try this weekend, but still have to diagnose the noise in my RR wheel area....i may have a dry u joint.....we shall see.

 

i too feel the same with my newly acquired 82, new engine, trans , suspension, front and rear, the PO spare no expense in it's upkeep, he was not that hands on, and hired it all out over the years, as a result, tho well intended, nothing beats me going over EVERYTHING" including a complete tune with all filters...

and I have been slowly for the past 2 months I have had it, and the beast is responding nicely.

ssroadster, you discribe the 82 to the T, basically it has personality, and that personality is easy to live with, along with good looks it's got great "delivery" of power for anything I sanely want to do up to triple digits.

I am putting in the 85 fuel pump sunday, soon braided steel brake lines, I already put in the spreader bar ( this thing make me more confident when I choose to go fast, believe me, going fast is one thing, going faster and not be scared is another) the PO put in that chip already


I am trying out an electric fan to see if i get some free SOTP action

I deleted the spare...all these things cost very little to do

 

I know that everyone has their own opinions and I respect that....sooooo I do not agree with removing the spare and strictly from a logical view.....I am by no means a suspension expert. But the spare tire IMO has two purposes, one for being a spare tire, and two, because it is part of the rear suspension and is needed to keep the proper balance of the rear intact. Again, JMO, by you removing the spare and installing the speader bar, I feel that you are throwing the suspension out of balance which as a result may handle in a different way than you are expecting. I am sure the suspension experts can elaborate whether or not this makes any difference at all!!!

I think with the electric fan as has been mentioned before, you are not going to feel or notice a difference in performance that you once again are expecting. You would be better off use those $$$ elsewhere, such as a better exhaust, or a better coil, ignition module, shocks,etc., etc.

But the best thing is that you are learning & enjoying your 82, and that is what it is all about
Make sure you post the results of your fuel pump install.......

 

put on a new cat .if you still have the old one on there you will feel the difference.i have not had the spare tire for over 15 years.i carry a can of fix it and have towing thru haggerty.

 

new shocks kyb last dec thanks PO

i didn't have a jack nor a lug wrench, and i am not crawling around to fix a flat I have AAA

i figure the varying gas level will affect handling the same, i believe there is wiggle room with this notion.

yes i will take pics of the fuel pump upgrade

 

relatively new cat thanks PO, i got rid of 55lbs the flat tho never used looked hmmmm. not that great being 33 years old

besides c5 and c6 = no spares

 

I installed the Stage I by Jet and not impressed with it. I would think doesn't matter what company sells the chip but the program would be the same. My car is pretty modified for a CFI but holding out for a completely new ECM. The first post about the TBI ECM is correct. Some people were using the 7747 ECM from the 87-92 F-body TBI but piggy backing a "HAM" board which is no longer produced although I still have one. Drawmain has installed the EBL and sounds like he has had excellent results. That's the one I waiting to do the mod on. U can use any aggressive cam or any other mod u want. You would just tune it like the modern cars are.

 

I have used "Jet" products in my F-Bodies from the past and they were quite good, hopefully the Hypertech is not the same and a better improvement over the "Jet" chip in this situation. Then again with you have a modified CFI, you probably would not see the same results as a totally stock one like myself.

I think the OP was just looking for a faster ECM, which again IMO is not needed unless the CFI has been modified like yourself and other members that have done so... Now if he intends to do some mods, then that is a different story, but on a totally stock CFI, I think the $$$ can be spent elsewhere for improvements. JMO

Al, did you ever contact the TB rebuilder and if so, how did it go???