I read all the post on chip burning and i get really confused. There is so many diferent things to buy and related stuuf to go it just scares me! I have a 1992 lo3 firebird and i want to make mods to it but i know that i need to burn my own chips. What is the easiest set up that won't let me f*** my car up. All the opitions are overwhelming and confuseing. Am i just being a Puss or is it that technical? I'm willing to learn what i need to about burning chips i just don't want to spend a buch of money on crap i don't need or know how to use. Thanks.

 

i have a 92 chevy 1500 silverado and want to know what all i need to burn chips. i have read the same things and there is sooo much out there i dont know what to get. please help!!

 

Im using the pocket programmer 2 and tuner cats. Both work quite well and Im very happy with them. Tuner pro is nice freeware if you dont want to pay money (although the author would like for you to register and provide a nominal fee). Youll also need the appropriate ECU file. The car tbi uses the 8746. JPrevost put out an ecu for it and it can be found at www.moates.net on the file server. The truck ecu for the 7747 can be found on Mangus' site along with tuner pro. Youll also probably want to get the 'G2' adapter from moates.net so you dont have to use the crappy proms and that annoying RN carrier.

That will get you going for starters. I posted some more info on this here.

Basically:

TunerPro or Tuner cats (costs money and definitions are extra)
PP2 or the Flash and Burn (cheaper then the PP2)
adapter to use the later flashrom stuff.

Thats pretty much it for just purely burning proms. It will cost from 100 to around 300 dollars depending on what you buy.

EDIT: All this editing is what I get for posting really late...

 

Although its quite possible to, the LO3 will be pretty tolerant of mistakes. After all, its not a race motor. Ive done some really stupid stuff with my 350 while experimenting and it didnt explode, it just ran like crap.

 

Before you think about doing chips, you'd do well to get scanning figured out.

For the TBIs you need some chips, a few chip holders, an eraser, a programmer, and an editor.
Then a notebook, and if performance tuning, a G-Tech or some way of measuring your performance.

 

Like I said for the first guy, first learn how to scan your truck.

But instead of chip holders you'll probably need a memcal adapter, search for Moates and on his site you'll see memcal adapters. You'll have to see which ecm/pcm you have to figure out what bits you need to get. Or post the ecm/pcm number here, and I'm sure someone could help you out.

And continue reading the stickies up at top.

 

For a cheap programmer, look on eBay for the "Willem" programmer. I just bought one on there for like $60 shipped and it included the parallel cable for data, USB cable for power (no AC adapter required), and a CD with software. I just used it for the first time last night to read my chip, and it worked great. Haven't tried burning yet, but it seemed to work well for the read.

Probably the cheapest burner you can get. Buy a couple EEPROMs from Moates.net. You don't have to worry about a MEMCAL with the L03. That's probably one of the only times you'll ever want to thank yourself for buying an L03.

Oh yeah, before all of this, make sure to have a cheap laptop with ALDL software, and an ALDL cable. I got a really nice one off of eBay...I'll look for the seller name later and forward that to you.

 

Ok this thred is helping me to becomeing a chip burner, thank you. I'm told that i should get a scan tool also so i can monitor engine stats ( air/fuel ratio, timing advance/retard., ect.). And if i should get one which one because i imagine that there is a crap load of them out there. Duronclocker, I'm mos def. check that out on ebay. THanks again and i will up date yous guys on how i'm doing and if i need any more help b/c my cars runs strange at the moment and i personally think i need a new chip.

 

Ok i've come to the conclusion that one of my main problems is that i'm not "hip with the lingo" all of this adl and aldl and blah blah blah. My piont is that maybe a list of parts/software trans lated it layman's terms might help me out. I went to moates.net and was just ...... well.... strat confuse with the termology.

Ok i read a little on the tech articles and cleared up some of my confusion on what i need for reading and datalogin. I've come to find that a laptop is the best way to go so i'm going to get one of those. Now i need to know what i need to hook the computer to my car(by the way what is that called? i call it my diagnostic port.)

 

You need an adapter cable.

It depends on if you are want to build or buy one. Building is a lot cheaper than buying one.

I've made this one... it's simple and works.

http://www.moates.net/imagery/gmecm/twotran.jpg

You can also buy one from places...

http://www.akmcables.com/ic.htm

http://www.geocities.com/steve3034/cables.html

 

The tbis only need a single transister cable but a two transister will work as well. Winaldl also has schematics for the single transister cable.

 

Did they really start changing over as early as 92, or even earlier with the trucks?

 

My 91, has a PCM.
7.4L, with a 4L8E tranny, 7060 PCM.

 

Ok i finally got mad and really dove into this subject. I found what i need. An adaptor kit to use 29C256 chips from www.moates.com
( part # G2) and an autoprom ( also from www.moates.com) that includes an AutoProm device, A/C power adpt., 28-pin emulation cable, OBD-1 ALDL cable, DB9 serial cable, 1x 29C256 chip, 1x 29F040 chip, and TurnerPro software. I will also need a labtop computer. My total cost to become a chip burner will be just under five hundread dollars. I'm greatful to all that have helped me in my effort and i will try to right up a tech article on how to set it up.

 

i have the 92 chevy pickup with the 350 and 700r4, what serial is mine since i believe everything else is the same as yours. i.e. cables and software and ect ??

 

Like Bruce said, get involved with scanning and understand what the log is saying.

You know. Tim, and Myself spent some good timing doing write ups on chip burning. I'm far from an expert, so I can't reall see how people can't understand what the writeups are telling them.

Making changes, burning chips is real easy. Making meaningful and positive changes, well thats what the board is for, to ask tuning questions. But I just don't see how folks are having so much trouble getting started.



-- Joe

 

Well I hope your serious about burning, and learning about this stuff.

Once you do get good at it, stick around and try to contribute as much as possible.

-- Joe

 

Tatally going to learn and become an expert! i can't wait to get it set up and start working with it. i will contribute as much help and info as i can. The hardest thing about starting to buen chips (i.e. getting the equipment) is understanding what you need after that i hope things get easier.