Newbie tuning question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 2
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
Newbie tuning question
Im new to the whole computer controlled injected hot rod scene BUT now that I have my Vette I will NEVER go back!
I have an 89 with a ZZ based 350 with Edelbrock heads, HOT cam, long tubes, 30# injectors, and a TPIS miniram. Id like to make sure the chip is programed to work the best with this setup. Ive read all the stickies and understand about how the burners, erasers, etc work.
My question is if there are any mail order companies or shops that would burn a chip for me? I just dont want to invest too much into the software/hardware right now. Appreciate all the help I can get!
I have an 89 with a ZZ based 350 with Edelbrock heads, HOT cam, long tubes, 30# injectors, and a TPIS miniram. Id like to make sure the chip is programed to work the best with this setup. Ive read all the stickies and understand about how the burners, erasers, etc work.
My question is if there are any mail order companies or shops that would burn a chip for me? I just dont want to invest too much into the software/hardware right now. Appreciate all the help I can get!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
$60 ALDL cable http://www.aldlcable.com/
and free software http://tunerpro.markmansur.com/downloadApp.htm
lets you at least monitor engine functions in real time.
Excellent intro to tuning by letting you see all the sensor outputs to ECM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
... I'd like to make sure the chip is programed to work the best with this setup. Ive read all the stickies and understand about how the burners, erasers, etc work.
My question is if there are any mail order companies or shops that would burn a chip for me? I just dont want to invest too much into the software/hardware right now. Appreciate all the help I can get!
My question is if there are any mail order companies or shops that would burn a chip for me? I just dont want to invest too much into the software/hardware right now. Appreciate all the help I can get!
Part Throttle, Idle quality, WOT ONLY. Please define.
Second, every motor is different and it depends on how you drive it.
Nobody can just send you a chip. At best, they would want a datalog if they're reputable. If you're doing that, may as well do it yourself. You'll learn that it takes more than just one try to get a calibration correct.
And its not only a matter of Fuel and Spark. I've burned at least a thousand calibrations, for my 84 Xfire and now my ZR-1. There's always something else you'd like to change.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Newton KS
There are several companies that sell flash e-proms that will fit in your computer. This will allow you to use a program like Tuner Pro to datalog and edit the program. You can then re-flash the chip with your laptop in just minutes - no chip burning! I have used this setup in my '85 with a 165 ECM (same computer as your 89) for two years. I also have a rotary dip switch that lets me store up to 8 programs, using the rotary **** to select which program I want to run. It took alot of studying, but it is a blast being able to make changes and trying them out right away to see if it helps! Have Fun!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 744
Likes: 13
From: Lenoir City TN
There are several companies that sell flash e-proms that will fit in your computer. This will allow you to use a program like Tuner Pro to datalog and edit the program. You can then re-flash the chip with your laptop in just minutes - no chip burning! I have used this setup in my '85 with a 165 ECM (same computer as your 89) for two years. I also have a rotary dip switch that lets me store up to 8 programs, using the rotary **** to select which program I want to run. It took alot of studying, but it is a blast being able to make changes and trying them out right away to see if it helps! Have Fun!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 744
Likes: 13
From: Lenoir City TN
I have an APU-1, but I have a 91 which has the computer located under the hood. I've heard about a Promulator, which I think mounts in the place of the chip inside the computer. If that's the case I wonder if it can be flashed thru the ALDL connector?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
but don't have any huge issue with hooking cable up and downloading.
I would normally stop the vehicle if I wanted to make cal changes anyway so not a big deal to me.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Newton KS
Sorry for taking so long to respond - been a little busy. I use a PROMinator from http://www.speedtronics.net I mounted a printer port under the dash that the laptop hooks up to - I can edit the program and reflash the chip in just minutes!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 2
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
I had never heard of the PROMinator until this post. So does this mount in the ECM? What software do you use for tuning changes? Do you have any pics of your set up?
Im trying to learn as much as I can before I start!
Im trying to learn as much as I can before I start!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Newton KS
Installing the PROMinator is fairly easy - remove the ECM from the car, remove the cover over the MEMCAL and also the outer cover of the ECM. Unplug the MEMCAL and plug the PROMinator in it's place. Your original MEMCAL plugs into the PROMinator. Trial fit the outside cover and remove enough material to clear the cable that plugs into the PROMinator. Install the outer cover and the MEMCAL cover. Install the ECM back under the dash. Mount the other end of the cable in a place that you can easily hook up your laptop. You can download a program from Speedtronics to flash the chip - easy to use once you get your laptop and PROMinator talking to each other on the same channel (I had to change a setting in my laptop). I use Tuner Pro RT to datalog and edit the program. I think that Tuner Pro also has a way to flash the chip, I haven't tried to use it yet. I didn't take any pictures - the Speedtronics site has some pictures. Another source for information (if you haven't already found it) is http://www.thirdgen.org
