Re-Installing a performance Chip
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 17
From: Cape Coral, FL
Re-Installing a performance Chip
Greetings gents...
Still no luck with the water stains
so I thought I would venture to another project.
I say project because I am the R O O K I E when it comes to my Vette.
I have the GM Manuals-but need a bit of guidance.
When I had my Vette checked last at the Corvette Shop-the mechanic removed the performance chip with the "it's not stock with that chip in there". I got the chip from him and would like to re-install it.
I have read the instructions on the "superchips" website, but am having difficulty disconnecting all the wires and opening the box (PROM?).
Sounds simple to many of you I am sure...I'm just trying not to screw the thing up
Thanks!
JTK
Still no luck with the water stains
so I thought I would venture to another project.I say project because I am the R O O K I E when it comes to my Vette.
I have the GM Manuals-but need a bit of guidance.
When I had my Vette checked last at the Corvette Shop-the mechanic removed the performance chip with the "it's not stock with that chip in there". I got the chip from him and would like to re-install it.
I have read the instructions on the "superchips" website, but am having difficulty disconnecting all the wires and opening the box (PROM?).
Sounds simple to many of you I am sure...I'm just trying not to screw the thing up
Thanks!
JTK
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Stuck in the 80's
Unless I am mistaken, you should not have to remove any wires. Just remove the two screws holding the ECM up under the passenger side dash, let the ECM drop down to the floor board, remove the two small screws that hold the cover onto the ECM case, release the latches on both ends of the socket that hold the CALPAK and replace with your other CALPAK. Reverse order for re-install.
Now if your CALPAK that holds the EPROM is modified and that is what you have a question about, sorry I can't help you. Surely somone on the forum will know what to do and reply.
Now if your CALPAK that holds the EPROM is modified and that is what you have a question about, sorry I can't help you. Surely somone on the forum will know what to do and reply.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 17
From: Cape Coral, FL
Thanks for trying to help out, I appreciate it! 
I may have been mistaken in my terminology...
The chip came out of the black box that sat over the battery in the engine compartment. There is a myriad of wires going into it and three bolts that hold it into the bracket. I can remove the unit from the bracket and slide the cover off the wires...
removeing the two "star screws" on the box itself seems to do nothing.
This is where I am stuck.
Thanks again!!!
JTK
I may have been mistaken in my terminology...
The chip came out of the black box that sat over the battery in the engine compartment. There is a myriad of wires going into it and three bolts that hold it into the bracket. I can remove the unit from the bracket and slide the cover off the wires...
removeing the two "star screws" on the box itself seems to do nothing.
This is where I am stuck.
Thanks again!!!
JTK
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 0
From: Patchogue NY
91 require a piggy back memcal that the performance chip attaches to, which is then attached to the OEM chip. It is called a "piggy back." You might want to speak to one of the tuners that frequent this threat. Alvin at pcmforless.com can walk you through this procedure, and possibly provide (sell you) the appropriate "piggy back" chip for the procedure. Good Luck! DO NOT PULL OUT ANY WIRING!!!!!!!!
Joe B.
Joe B.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 17
From: Cape Coral, FL
Originally Posted by joe3906
91 require a piggy back memcal that the performance chip attaches to, which is then attached to the OEM chip. It is called a "piggy back." You might want to speak to one of the tuners that frequent this threat. Alvin at pcmforless.com can walk you through this procedure, and possibly provide (sell you) the appropriate "piggy back" chip for the procedure. Good Luck! DO NOT PULL OUT ANY WIRING!!!!!!!!
Joe B.
Joe B.
Actually I have the proper chip already. I took my Vette to the shop and the mechanic there saw the chip in it, removed it, and told me I should toss it in the bushes because they are nothing but long term trouble.
Well, after hearing from other members of CF, and compaing the way it drives with and without the chip-I wanted to put it back in.
I am assuming the piggyback bracket is still inside the PROM and all I will need do is replace the chip on the existing bracket.
Thanks again for the help!
JTK
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
From: GA
Originally Posted by SOF Vette
Thanks Joe B.!
Actually I have the proper chip already. I took my Vette to the shop and the mechanic there saw the chip in it, removed it, and told me I should toss it in the bushes because they are nothing but long term trouble.
Well, after hearing from other members of CF, and compaing the way it drives with and without the chip-I wanted to put it back in.
I am assuming the piggyback bracket is still inside the PROM and all I will need do is replace the chip on the existing bracket.
Thanks again for the help!
JTK
Actually I have the proper chip already. I took my Vette to the shop and the mechanic there saw the chip in it, removed it, and told me I should toss it in the bushes because they are nothing but long term trouble.
Well, after hearing from other members of CF, and compaing the way it drives with and without the chip-I wanted to put it back in.
I am assuming the piggyback bracket is still inside the PROM and all I will need do is replace the chip on the existing bracket.
Thanks again for the help!
JTK
But your mechanic was right..the off the shelf "performance" chips are a bunch of hooey and seldom do more than cause problems.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 0
From: Patchogue NY
Originally Posted by Morley
By "piggyback" he means that the "performance" chip hooks to your existing MEMCAL and the whole thing is plugged back into the ECM.
But your mechanic was right..the off the shelf "performance" chips are a bunch of hooey and seldom do more than cause problems.
But your mechanic was right..the off the shelf "performance" chips are a bunch of hooey and seldom do more than cause problems.
