My buddy has a 92 RS Special Edition with the TBI 305 and was wanting to do upgrades to his existing engine and was wondering if he should reprogram the chip if needed or go standalone. What are the best options and recommendations?

 

The first question is whether the vehicle needs to retain the emissions equipment. If so then you need to stay with the current stock ECM. If not then aftermarket ECMs can be used.

Here is a thread that covers the DFI ECM:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=218355

Aftermarket ECMs are generally easier to tune. Although the tradeoff can be driveability, loss of features and expense.

The stock ECM ('8746) can be programmed by either PROM burning or using something such as the AutoProm. Scanning software is free (WinALDL). And lots of support including a source code listing and some patches (rev limiter & forced knock bypass) is available.

The Holley site has a good manual on their Commander 950 which is also a valid option. The manual describes the available features and functionality of that system.

These are not the only aftermarket ECM either, there is FAST, Motec, Autronic, MegaSquirt, electromotive (I think), and others that don't come to mind at the moment.

RBob.