1)regarding my '85 IROC and its ECM should I change it to a ECM from a later model like '86 - '89 I'm having the engine rebuilt with a few enhanchments and want to have an easy way to play with the ECM so i can get the best performance possible.And uh..just how do I go about this reprograming?What stuff will I need and where do I get it?Should I just try a performance chip off the shelf?
2)where can I get an assembly manual for this car?

 

Welcome aboard. There are many things you can find answers for if you do a search. Try this thread.
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=288763

 

#2 question first (easier answer, lol), best source for a manual for your car is Helm (www.helminc.com). Pricey, but none better.

As far as updating the ECM, it all depends upon what you are planning to do with the vehicle. There isn't much support for the '85 ECM. The '86-'89 ECM support is better (that and the code/cal is all in one EPROM). Then again, there can be problems with the MAF sensor that are pricey. And the '165 ECMs can be troublesome. Not always, but can be.

So there is also an upgrade to the '730 ECM and a SD setup. I suggest hanging around/reading and thinking about it, doing some research and doing what you feel is the best for you.

RBob.

 

I am trying to make the time to hang out and read but ut can be tough.Enough whinning from me.Im not sure what a 165 ecm is.Is that what I currently have?I'd like to find out more on this upgrade you mentioned too.
Uh.. sd?Street Drag?
Any opinions about preprogramed after market type chips?
I'm a little concerned that the motor will run like crap with the cam i 'm putting in it and using the current, stock settings in the ECM.Am I worried for nothing?

 

COOL MAN This looks like a GREAT place for some answers!Thank you very much.I'm heading back over to do some reading catch you later!

 

Preprogrammed chips are a huge waste of money - been there, done that. You can easily end up with an "aftermarket" chip being way, way worse than a stock chip if your combo is somewhat radical, because no one could possibly guess at what your engine needs without tuning it and datalogging with it. If you want to play the high performance game with fuel injection, be prepared to start burning your own chips, there is no way around it. Otherwise get a carb -- this won't offer anywhere near the flexibility or driveability of EFI but carbs are very easy to baseline, and very forgiving of small tuning errors.

That aside, SD is a type of engine management, just as MAF is. SD is Speed Density. In a MAF system like you have, the amount of air is directly calculated from a calibrated, heated wire sensor. In Speed Density, manifold pressure is measured, and the engine's operating state is inferred through calculations. SD is less forgiving than MAF if your tune is off, but since SD was 90-92, the ECMs were much more refined than the MAF ecms, giving the end user easier access to parameters such as fueling.

'165 is the 1986-89 MAF TPI ecm. This is what you don't have.

You should at least upgrade to the 86-89 '165 ECM if you keep MAF. Most people run 6E masked 165s if they are MAF. There is no reason not to keep MAF, it works perfectly well when set up properly.

 

[B]

I have found many answers to the many questions I have by searching. Dont let it intimidate you. There is ALOT of things to learn in DIY Prom. Its not easy, but then again, its not real hard either. I have found it easier to just read, and re-read the many post, and articles on this board. I also print up the post that I want for future referance, so I can read them anytime I want.

When I first got interested in DIY prom, it all seemed pretty greek to me, but, its amazing how it all comes together and makes more sense as you learn. I never thought I would ever program my own eproms, or do any WBO2 logs for that matter.

Good luck, and happy reading.

 

Thankyou maro,rbob and brutalform!Y'all are cool and I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my plee.I've started reading what I can find and Brutalform dudeman that link is fricking awesome.Getting turned on to that is far and away the best help/tip I have gotten!!
Traxion is laying it down so clearly thateven a knucklehead like me can digest it,That tip is way cool.thankyou thankyou thankyou.I'm gonna read on for a while now then head out and hustle up some extra dough so I can get things rollin'.Motor wont be ready to drop in for about 5-7 days so I have a little bit of time yet.I'll keep you posted.