I have a 87 camaro that had a 305 tpi in it. I than took that motor out and put in a 350 crate motor with vortec heads. I have msd ignition and timing with a 502 cam. Probably more info than needed, but I was wondering if it was worth changing the computer in it, so I can tune the car. Just wondering what computer would work and if anyone has any other ideas. Any help would be appreciated.

 

This is going to sound crazy, but, how does the vehicle run and drive? That is what defines whether the tune is good or not. Note that there are others items such as safe fueling and lack of detonation which need to be taken into account.

As for the computer (ECM), the calibration (tune), is in a PROM within the ECM. This calibration/tune can be changed without an ECM change.

RBob.

 

i did forget to mention that I am running 22 psi injectors. just the car once in a while will just stall even after it is warmed up. but it dont happen all the time. I thought the computer that was stock in the car. you could not make any changes to it for the tune. This may sound stupid to you but what do you mean by the prom. I tried to bring my car to the dyno to get tuned and thats what the guy told was that he could not tune my car with the stock computer. Did he just not know what he was talking about.

 

also what do you me mean by safe fueling and detonation.

 

Most dyno tuners are scared by the OEM ECM, mostly because of a lack of understanding.

The PROM is the chip that is installed in the ECM with the calibration (BIN file) to run the engine.

 

No need to change computer to another. Some would to get "state of the art" as well as a more user friendly system including datalogging system internal. "Worth it" to me maybe not to you.

Basic tuning/datalogging tools can be had at Craig Moates.

Note stickies in DIY-PROM for tuning info.

 

Basically the lack of detonation and safe levels of exhaust gas temperature. If the engine is knocking (detonation) then the tune isn't right. If the engine exhaust gas temperature is high, then something isn't quite right in the tune.

The other side of the coin is: does the engine make the power it should (safely)?

From my experience, your set up requires further tuning to be right.

RBob.

 

yes it does have a prom chip in the ecm. I have not yet checked to see what the gas temp and mixtures is at the pipe. I am going to do that this weekend. The engine does not knock at all. The only thing that I get is when I go past 3000 RPM's I can hear the lifters starting to ping. Like it is getting to much fuel, but I dont know for sure. Unfortunently I do not know how much horsepower it exactly has. I know bad on my part, I am planning on taking it to a dyno and doing some pulls to see what it has. also what would be causing blow by in the block. If I run the car hard my dipstick itself comes out of the hole and it blows oil all over. This forum is great and thanks for all the help. I have got more information here than anywhere else.