If anyone is considering this option to tuning your own ECM, its much simpler than I imagined. All that is required is to install the chip on your current ECM, piggy back your original memcal and trim the case to clear the ribbon cable connector. Connect the ribbon cable to your datalogger/tuning PC's parallel port. Click on the PROMinator software link, select the bin to upload and click on GO. The file is sent and verified with ten seconds. You can even load the bins with the engine running! Instant gratification!

-JRC-

 

pretty cool! Someday I hope to graduate to real time tuning.

 

Would you please list all of the part numbers you used (and prices)? I am considering doing it this summer, and I want to make sure I don't miss anything.

-thanks

 

Congrats! Good Job!!

I have been half-*** thinking about getting involved with tuning, but I don't know if the benefit of doing my own tuning outweighs the time, and money needed it to do correctly.

Joe B.

 

OK, You'll need the Prominator chip, and the Moates adapter board. You pull the memcal out and install the adapter board in its place. The memcal plugs back onto one side of the adapter board. This allows the "limp home" chip to remain active on the ECM. Then the Prominator chip assembly mounts on top of the adapter board thus taking the place of Memcals EPROM. Thats it. Oh yeah, you need to identify the ECM model which in our case is the 1227165, and the EPROM type which is a 27C128 (16K). The instructions for use are thus: install the chip assembly in the ECM and install the ECM in the car. Plug in your PC's printer port to the Prominator's port (cables provided by Prominator) and start the free software from Prominators website. Turn the ignition switch to "On" and connect the software to the chip. Send a bin file up to the chip. (My 86 is bone stock and I found a bin that works just like my original EPROM "BUA1728 32.bin") Ten seconds later the file is loaded and start the engine.

Total cost was $175 for the chip + $35 for the Moates adapter + $5 shipping. I bought the USB ($50) to ALDL ($30) cable (ALDU1 & CABL1) from Moates website and use their drivers to engage the cable. For datalogging the TTL Datamaster software and TunerPro for the bin editing software with the 32.ecu mask. This mask can be found on the download section.

BTW some trimming of the ECM case was required. Next time I pull the ECM I'll post some pics of the case and board assemblies.

-JRC-

 

Happy Birthday Steve. Obviously, I read your profile. The information tha you deciminated on the previous post is a clear indication that you have dedicated some quality time to this endeavor. Again, Congrats on your "tuning achievement."

Joe B.

 

Thank-you. A bottle of "Hornitos" is awaiting me this very afternoon. May your day be just as happy.

-JRC-

 

Here's a few pictures of the prominator install.
http://www.donostia.demon.nl/Page.htm

I've been gathering information as I get ready to bring my '74 into the electronic age.

 

The bin switching feature looks interesting. You can load up to 8 different bin files and choose which one you want using their "remote switch" via ribbon cable. Wow! A file for the street, one for the track, one for economy cruising,ect. Their web site explains it all. I am definitely considering going this route.