When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
After fighting / avoiding it for four years, it's time to do something about the ECM in my Ruby. I've found rebuild offers for between $250 and $300. I found a rebuild one on eBay for about $150 (plus core). In fact I purchased that one, only to have the vendor cancel the sale as he had "sold it locally" and was out of inventory. (Yeah right. With the other one listed on eBay at $495 plus core...)
Are there options beyond the rebuild / remanufacturing that I should look at? Or should I just yank the thing out and ship it off. If the latter, any recommendations beyond K&B? I thought there was a place in Baltimore which is a good bit closer.
1992-93 lt1 including" F body" all use same ECM. For reman, they are you "have to have one to get one". You could search for a 93 LT1 Camaro /Firebird. You will need to transfer chip and don't send your out with it, unless you absolutely have to. If it gets "missing" that will be another "struggle".
I'd source a used one from an F Body. They're everywhere, literally.
I'll look and see if I still have an unmodified one laying around, but I think I may have socketed the thing when I was burning chips.
I started converting to the 94/95 so I could flash tune. Its a ROYAL pain, but easier than a stand alone, and I could do just as much with it, at least for my needs.
Update: Thanks to Draves for the note regarding SIA Electronics. (http://siaelec.com/product-category/...repair-return/). Their listed price is $166.25 and he spoke well of them. They're a definate possibility if I can't find something in drop-off and pick-up range, or if I don't find
@Mr. Angry, converting to the later model? How does that work? I've read a bit about tuning via reflashing the prom, but didn't think it applied to the '93.
(Not that I *need* to do that, but it is an option!)
Third gen F-Bodies are the Camaro and Firebird, right?
No, Gen 4 first year only 1993. It will still be somewhat hard to find for less than a few hundred dollars. Search "parts wanted for sale" there were some for sale.
Update: Thanks to Draves for the note regarding SIA Electronics. (http://siaelec.com/product-category/...repair-return/). Their listed price is $166.25 and he spoke well of them. They're a definate possibility if I can't find something in drop-off and pick-up range, or if I don't find
@Mr. Angry, converting to the later model? How does that work? I've read a bit about tuning via reflashing the prom, but didn't think it applied to the '93.
(Not that I *need* to do that, but it is an option!)
Third gen F-Bodies are the Camaro and Firebird, right?
I just recently got mine back from SIA Electronics and the ECM has been solid ever since. It had random issues and they resoldered the cold solder joints.
I just recently got mine back from SIA Electronics and the ECM has been solid ever since. It had random issues and they resoldered the cold solder joints.
Thanks Jim. The Cardone unit was the original path that I followed. They are no longer remanufacturing these units. The ones that are still available for sale seem to be around $400 or so plus core. Cardone will rebuild and return, but require that you go through a third party.
I'm leaning toward SIE right now. If I get the gumption, I'm going to dig out my service manual and see what I need to do to pull the unit out of the car. It looks like threeish bolts and four plugs but I think I'll RTFM in advance anyway.
Best,
Jerry
Last edited by gdgeorge; Aug 30, 2016 at 12:16 PM.
Thanks Jim. The Cardone unit was the original path that I followed. They are no longer remanufacturing these units. The ones that are still available for sale seem to be around $400 or so plus core. Cardone will rebuild and return, but require that you go through a third party.
I'm leaning toward SIE right now. If I get the gumption, I'm going to dig out my service manual and see what I need to do to pull the unit out of the car. It looks like threeish bolts and four plugs but I think I'll RTFM in advance anyway.
Best,
Jerry
Disconnect the negative battery terminal (5/16"), unclip the connector cover, remove the 4 cables and remove three nuts. One of them is a little harder than the other 2, but really a pretty fast/easy job.
I've got a laundry list at this point, but the computer became a priority when the vehicle became unreliable. I could deal with the idiosyncrasies, but having the engine cut out randomly on starting out is where I draw the line.
I've got a laundry list at this point, but the computer became a priority when the vehicle became unreliable. I could deal with the idiosyncrasies, but having the engine cut out randomly on starting out is where I draw the line.
The computer came back yesterday. It took a bit longer than I expected but, OTOH, they received it on the Thursday (afternoon) before Labor day. The total cost was less than $160, plus my shipping to them.
Putting it back in was as easy as taking it out and the car started right up when the job was complete. I haven't driven the car at all yet, but I'll run it around this weekend and see what happens.