I'm converting my 86TA to SD with the 730 ECM. I asked around and some people said I can just get a memcal from gmdirect.com, however it would have VATS and a different VSS so wouldn't my car not work?

Also, in the SD swap conversion page it mentions needing to burn a prom to fix that, but he buys a $40 memcal, couldn't I just get a blank one?

Thanks alot guys, I'm trying to get into the PROM burning but the car has to run first!

 

A memcal is like a general instruction set for the computer in order for it to perform its duties. Think of it as an operating system. The chip that you need to burn in order to remove VSS and VATS is more like a software program that tells the operating system how to run. So yes, you still need the $40 memcal. What you need is also a chip adapter so you can put in your new chip with disabled VSS and VATS.

Unfortunately, its going to take some upfront cost in order to get started. But once thats done, you will have everything in order to get into some serious tuning.

 

That clears it up a bit. I had no idea I needed an adapter as well, all these things were overlooked (either by me or the author) on the website everyone uses for the swap.

So right now I have everything for the SD swap installed except the memcal and I'm anxious to drive! I'll need a custom chip burned for VATS and VSS. Couldn't I just get a blank memcal and burn it and save the $40 from buying the stock chip?

 

Nope, there is no way around it. You need the memcal. From there you can burn a chip with a chip adapter to the memcal.

Here is the adapter you will need
http://www.moates.net/product_info.p...products_id=32

Here are some instructions on installing it
http://www.moates.net/documentation....mentation_id=9

 

What he said!

The reason for the factory memcal is that's where the "linp home mode" is stored in case the chip goes bad for some reason, and that's also where the ESC/knock sensor stuff stuff is at as well. Hope that makes sense.....

 

Perfect sense now. Thanks a million! Seems obvious too, I was looking at the memcal and the knock sensor circuit is physically on there.

 

Technically you "could" unsolder the chip that is in the memcal and try to solder in a different one. You'll probably not have good success and end up buying another
Best to get the adapter and do it right with no risk of damage. In the end you'll have the best setup for swapping chips using a zif socket and they don't cost that much

 

One last question, what are the going rates of these items? I need to get my car running ASAP (made the mistake of playing around on my daily driver). I'm curious what I should expect to pay to get it running. Thanks so much guys!

 

Dig around on Craig's site for the prices on different options of hardware.
The "G1" also comes in a package "GP1" that has the zif socket, pin adapter, 2 chips, and the ECM adapter. $55 currently.
With those parts your hardware is handled and you have a spare chip to tweak while the car still is drivable.
From there all you need is a way to burn the chip.
There are a bunch of different items out there to do this. The "Flash-n-burn" is $85.
Of course you do need the memcal for the knock circuitry and limp mode stuff.
You could be running 1/2 hour after you get the parts.

Also, you really do need to get the VSS to work. There will be difficulty with stalling when coming to a stop and other such problems because the ECM code relies on the speed input to perform functions relating to decelleration.
Check out "jagsthatrun.com" for about $100 they have something to get you the 4 pulses per rev at the speedo cable or 4000 pulses per mile into the ECM (same difference so don't let that hurt your head.)

 

For the VSS, rewire 165 pin A10 to 730 C6 and uncheck Magnetic Speed Sensor in the bin and your 2k pulse vss signal will work just fine.