Now I know what ECU, which chip??

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Dec 18, 2005 | 01:48 PM

VtVette

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 2,830

Likes: 20

From: Las Vegas Nevada

Now I know what ECU, which chip??

Hey guys,

In another thread some forum members helped mem figure out that I need ECU#1227165 for my '85 car which has a '86 harness and an '88 engine. I've looked around and found that the ECU #1227165 is actually a very common GM ecu, used in many cars/trucks. They seem to be sold without chips, as it's the chip that determines the engine the ECU will control.

So, my question is - which chip should I get? As I have no chip right now is it worth looking at a performance chip? Are they worth the $$$? If not, could someone tell me the direction to look for a stock chip?

Thanks again,

Brian
VTvette

Dec 18, 2005 | 02:23 PM

tjwong

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 8,596

Likes: 19

From: Portland Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtVette

You can go with a stock chip from GM for a later 89 calibration which would offer more tuning tables for you to tune if one day that you may want to have a custom chip done. But any 86 and up OE chip would work OK in your car. If your engine is relatively stock, just choose an application close to what you have. For instance gear ratio and transmission option should be the same. There wasn't many differences in those years, so finding the correct stock chip option should be fairly easy. There are a lot of guys here that would have a stock chip laying around that you can buy cheap.

Dec 18, 2005 | 02:35 PM

Cashmo

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 206

Likes: 1

From: Milwaukee WI

We'll need to know if it's auto or 6 speed. You can get new stock memcals from http://www.oewarehouse.com A dealership can tell you the part number for your 86 memcal.

Alvin at http://www.pcmforless.com/ gets a lot of good feedback over in the Scan & Tune section.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1199218 may interest you also.

Jeff

Dec 18, 2005 | 02:59 PM

VtVette

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 2,830

Likes: 20

From: Las Vegas Nevada

thanks for all the info so far.

Car is an Auto, 3.07 gears in the rear. Pretty much stock and I don't plan on any crazy mod's in the near future. The heads are ported, removed frizbee, cut the airbox lid just small stuff like that. I may change out the stock exhaust but other than that the enigne is/will remain fairly stock.

I'll check out the links you provided. Sounds like from what I've heard my best bet is to just put a WTB post in the for sale/wanted forum for a stock ECU prom.

thanks,

Brian
VTvette

Dec 18, 2005 | 05:28 PM

Muffin

Race Director

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 14,924

Likes: 9

From: Merritt Ils Fl

I may be on thin ice here but when I converted my 85 to a 165 ECM I bought an 89 Calpac from GM. Car would not run until VATS was turned off in the chip. I wonder if you will be looking at the same situation. If BlueVette85 is still with us he may be able to give us some insight.

Dec 19, 2005 | 09:56 AM

GlennS87

Drifting

Joined: Apr 1999

Posts: 1,261

Likes: 6

From: Middletown New Jersey

Do you have al or iron heads? The later chips might be too aggressive for iron heads.

Dec 19, 2005 | 12:21 PM

VtVette

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 2,830

Likes: 20

From: Las Vegas Nevada

Glenn, the engine is 1988 stock aluminum heads.

thanks,

Brian
VTvette

Dec 20, 2005 | 12:45 AM

MrRenoman

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,384

Likes: 124

From: Reno/Sparks Nevada

I'm using an 88 Camaro IROC chip. It's a corvette harness connected to a Camaro motor using the 1227165 ECM and Camaro 350 CI automatic chip. This setup is in my El Camino but I don't see why technically it wouldn't work unless I'm missing something. You could also buy a performance Camaro chip pretty cheap. This chip doesn't have VATs built in.

Art