RocketSled

I've got an 89 Vette with a 383 that I'm custom tuning (your site is an AWESOME resource). I'm using a combination of EPROMS and a ROMULATOR to get everything dialed in and had it 98% there when the SES light came on, it wouldn't hold idle by itself and the AutoXray wouldn't connect to the ECU.

I swapped the ECU and got the same result, so I went to the factory manual. All signs point to the MEMCAL. It's an Ed Wright part with two chips on it, besides the PROM.

Not wanting to spend a whole lot of money on the 'brains' that I'm just going to throw away, any idea where I can buy the memcal parts? (google and Jameco have no knowledge of the other two chips: CTS9930/16055376BV and CTS0105/16055375BV...I get the impression they handle a limp home mode if something goes wrong with the prom.)

OR, am I missing something ovbious?

Hrock

I dont have confirmation on this yet, but maybe a direction for you to look in and confirm.. MemCal packs on some Carriers I have seen replaced with DIP-Resister Arrays. I have not actually checked the package, but for a 7165 $6E Prom Cartridge ( carriers) The Mem Cal has been replaced with resisters in such after market products as HyperTech , superChip , and a few others I dont know who made.. Im not sure if they put resisters there to eliminate the Limp Home Mode.

RocketSled

I think you're right. I seem to recall more 'stuff' in the stock memcal. This one is an Ed Wright part. Infortunately, I can't seem to put my hand on the stock carrier, so I can't tell if the problem is the PROM, or the other chips (resistor array).

Since I just desoldered the original prom, there could be a contact issue. That should pretty well be ruled out after the ZIF socket gets here next week.

Hrock

I know with no Chip, I can still run my car so long as those Limp home chips are installed. It starts and runs fine, just a steady engine light. Im looking to see if I have your chips..If so its possible to send them to you.

RocketSled

Cool, that's the behavior I'm seeing. No TC lockup, feels like there's no spark advance, really low and surging idle, solid SES light, no conversation with scantool

JayBoCC2

try tpiparts.net i ordered one from there for my car. only problem is the corvette ones are a bit more expensive than the trans am tpi memcals

RocketSled

Man, that was a long time ago! I ended up getting a kit from moates. The problem was a combination of a poor connection between the Memcal and socket, wirting to the improper offset, and using EPROMS of unknown lineage.

I picked up a chip-writer off ebay, and with Moate's ZIF adapter and a couple of known new 512kb EEPROMS got the car running reasonably well. Craig did a helluva job getting me the stuff, ESPECIALLY in light of the fact he was in the path of Katrina at the time.

Now if I could just get the transmission to stay together!