I have a motor with the following mods and i will need a custom chip burned, and i want to know who or where can do it.

-ZZ4 Shortblock
-Trick Flow Heads 195cc intake ports CNC, milled down to 58 cc Chambers for 10:1 compression.
-Lingenfelter/Accel SuperRam intake Set-up
-Twin 58mm TB with Cold Air Intake
-30# injectors
-LPE 219 cam with 1.6 roller rockers. for 219 duration and .560 lift
-50 psi fuel regulator
-Hooker headers with 3" y-pipe, 3" high flow cat, 3" flowmaster 80 series
-Underdrive pulleys
-180 degree thermostat

-700R4 beefed up trans
-3.73 gears

 

it's an inevitable fact that someone is going to suggest that you learn how to burn your own chips. but if you don't want to hassle with the steep learning curve n' trial/error n' all... then there are a few mail-order type places that can get you a decently good tune. TPIS is probably the most experienced of the bunch, but you really pay for it. Summit runs that Motorvation company that's quite a bit cheaper, but i wouldn't say that they have quite the reputation that TPIS does. There's others, but definately stay away from those rip-off non-custom hypertech n' jet chips. You'll probably be able to get your best results from a dyno tune session at a local speed shop.

 

Inevitable Fact:
It is definitely worthwhile to learn to burn your own chips.



pellmanm, I think that it's necessary for it to be understood why this is the case. You've provided a very concise list of the major modifications that you've made to your engine, which is a great place to start -- a great place to start seeing what you're working with.. Granted, an SBC is an SBC is an SBC, but nobody (except your car's computer) knows exactly how all of those enhancements contribute to the final output, and operating characteristics, of the engine.

My late father owned a 1967 Camaro SS-396 with the L-35 package, a lower-output 325 hp 396 big block (I still have it). Simply uncapping the headers, he'd put down 12.4 in the quarter mile on street tires. In 1967. Go figure... something was special about that engine, and unless you knew it, it could be written off as "just another 396/325." I wonder if even the 375 hp version would do that.

Testing what you're working with, and applying changes to the actual thing instead of a model, is the only accurate way to tune a vehicle. Sure, you could pay someone to make a chip that will get your tune on-par, but who's to say that it's even going to be right unless you see what the computer is seeing?

I installed a cam, new heads, and ported the intake on my Camaro this summer. Common sense told me that it was going to run lean, but how lean? Unless I logged the data and saw that the BLMs (fuel correction factor) were pegged at the upper limit of 160, I wouldn't have known until valves started burning. These fuel-injection systems are so much more complex, and efficient, than a carb; still, I think even a carbureted setup could benefit from data monitoring.

If you aren't concerned about the absolute quality of the tune, then there's nothing wrong with having a company burn a chip for your car. But, make sure you realize that it's only as good as they can make the model... as a student in engineering, I know that models can only go so far, and they don't take into account exceptions (just remember my dad's Camaro). However, if you're willing to get as much as you possibly can out of your engine, learn a whole lot about why it works the way it does, and spend probably less money than the cost of an aftermarket chip, I suggest you try programming the car yourself. Read through some of the archives in the DIY PROM forum.

 

Thanks i have been looking alot over the last couple of weeks reading all the articles on this matter. I am going to get the autoprom chip buring package.

 

Refresh my memory; which one is that? I picked up the USB programmer from Craig Moates... it works wonderfully and only cost about $80.

I'd suggest looking at the sticky in the DIY PROM forum regarding Grumpy's "final answers." He explains many important ECM concepts in these "The final answer about ________" threads. Lots of good information.

What are you using for a datalogger? There are tons of systems out there. I've had success with Craig Moates' software and the two-transistor cable; I think I paid about $5 for the parts at Radio Shack. As long as you can solder, you can build the cable.