Hi all, I have a real brain buster here. 2 questions
first I am looking to gain Hp from my truck, better pulling ect...
Now the first thought is to reprogram the ECM. Doable but I do not know how. so the question is >>>
What exactly do I need in order to program the ECM in my truck??
What Flash chips programs tools ect.

Ok second question from what I have read 95 trucks have some sort of electronic tranny running off the ECM.

My other thought was to convert to TPI is this a feasable alternative?
If so what "mods" have to be done to do this? I have acess to a 90 Camaro TPI system Complete with ECM.

Any input on these thoughts or am I smoking crack just for thinking about it?

 

You need to read the stickies at the top of the board.

If you truck has an automatic, then it's a PCM, since it does in fact control the tranny.

90 car uses a ECM, and doesn't have the tranny controls. A 95 car would have the necessary inputs, and outputs for TPI, but that'd mean using Optispark.

You've got a nice PCM as it is. There seem to be some SS 454s running around with a plain 'ol TBI doing rather nicely. I have a 91 truck with a 454, and PCM that while it won't set the world on fire, by any means, it's a real nice running truck. I have almost as much time in the tranny calibration as in tuning the engine.

 

Well this is my problem I have a 24 foot Pull behind camper and the truck labors bad while pulling. more to the point 55 is usually as fast as I can get from it. 4.5 Miles to the gallon also sucks bad.
So I am trying to figure out what will give me the right amount of tourqe to be able to pull that load. I really do not need "Speed" as in racing or anything just a friendly nudge to assist it.

So in a nutshell that is it.

Thanks

 

24'er?.
Is this a 3/4t chassis?.

If it is then you just have alot of work to do, if not then an incredible amount, IMO.

While you can get a SBC to make some good torque for towing it's about sustainable power. Even if you go to a 383, a 454 would leave you in the dust on a long grade. And going to a 454 means also swapping trannies, and then PCMs. And if you don't have the big brakes, and heavy springs, you still have a marginal set up, IMO

Can you make it a serious power, well, yes, but is it going to be all the work long term?.

Just playing Devil's Advocate before you do alot of work, to maybe only get marginal results is all.

 

this will be locked in no time not thirdgen related....

 

That's my only problem with this forum.... it's location. Thirdgen only blah blah blah. It's still a chevy and if you've been to the "chevy truck" forums you would understand why DIYer tuners come HERE. In fact a lot of vette, grand national (not so much), and sy/ty guys will visit here frequently for prom info. I think this board should be opened up a little to allow for at most, GM ecm prom tuning questions. Only because if somebody has a question let's say about the 8746 ecm but it's in a caprice and not an f-body, what's the difference? Imagine an f-body filled to the max with gas and people and you've got a caprice .

To get back on topic, I'd do what Grumpy suggested. It's only logical to go with a BBC if you need to do some serious towing. My friends zz4 powered truck isn't even all that great of a tow vehicle, it just doesn't have the gears or the power depending on how you look at it.
A diesel is my first choice for a tow only vehicle, never a SBC.
I don't think there are any ecm's that'll do a remote coil HEI (your truck stock), 8 injectors, and pcm control. So like Grumpy said, you're limited to keeping TBI or going Lt1 to keep the electronic trans controls. I think there is some software out there that's seperate from the pcm that'll control an electronic trans, I just never looked too far into it.

 

dont blame me im not the moderators ...LOL...im just stateing the inevitable .....

 

whipple or magnuson blower.....
Personally I went turbo diesel.
Now I want a turbo for my sbc....
Can't learn code fast enough now

 

Doc's saying T-G-O, T-G-O, way to go. Just takes being a little clever, to *sneek* stuff in.

Diesels use TCMs, Tranny Control Modules.
And you can use the right PCM to just run an electronic tranny just fine.

 

:werd:

Truer words were never spoken.

 

Cool, what year diesels and are they programmable? I should ask... do they have an eprom inside ?

 

It appears they were 1991-95. Still not sure on the programmablity/eprom. Looks like 1996 went to flash for all C/K's, and I think the PCM picked up Diesel engine control.

 

Yep, 256, or 512 according to Doc.

Or just use a PCM.
Doc says there was a Syclone guy running a 8625 for his E series tranny, and then the 749 for engine.