I'm working towards putting a 1989 305 TPI system in my car and I'm buying a 165 ECM (ECM wasn't supplied), but it's for an 1989 350. Therefore of course I need the MemCal for a 305. Trouble is, I don't know which one to get and I need some advice.

In talking about PROM code, it seems that people on this board are saying the factor of diff gearing isn't that important (I have 3.23 mated to a 700-R4 with 235x60x14 tyres). I've also read that the code in later years is apparently better than in previous years. Are both of these statements true? If so then I guess the last question is, what's the different between California and Fed. PROMs? Emissions aren't a problem where I live.

Because I'm fitting an '89 system to an older car, I will have to do some PROM burning, whether it be to start off with '89 code and disable VATS, or '88 code and disable cold start. In both situations, I can start with manual or auto and change the auto/manual flag etc. Please note this is the first time I've worked with TPI so I'm looking at doing this without too much effort. So many options!

What should I go for? I'd be grateful for advice.

 

If your keeping the MAF setup I would start with the supplied ARAP bin that you get with TunerPro. Tune from there. I trimmed the ARAP bin on my 87 Formula 350 and it made a huge difference, just by adjusting the BLM's to 128 it will spin the tires until I let off the gas now

John

 

Since I have a 305 TPI, would you still suggest ARAP or use ANZA? The ARAP would be for a 350 and the ARAP is suitable for an my engine my size, I'd just have to turn off the manual transmission flag, right?

 

ARAP is for the Auto.

Yes, I started with the ARAP bin and it runs great. I also tuned my 87 305 with the ARAP and I just had to lean it out a little. Keep in mind that your running smaller injectors from the get go so its not going to be that far off... Matter of fact I ran basically the ARAP bin barely modified in my 305 for some time, it would spit out black carbon crap when it was cold, but it ran fine warm. Of course I have a SLP 212/206 cam in it , but you should still be able to tune it pretty well.

Once I got it tuned, it really made a difference tho. All I did was put my BLM's to 128 best I could and away I go. I have not had much of a chance to do the performance tuning, as I am new to this as well...

But its a good place to start, and I would not recommend running the ARAP for a long long time without tuning. Someone else should be able to tell you more...

Oh yeah, do not forget to turn off the VATS with the ARAP...

Good luck.

John

 

Thanks for that info.

Is the ARAP specific to the Corvette? If so, the Corvette's to my understanding didn't run EGR and I will be. Will this be a problem for me? Do you know what if any, the other differences are?

Also, do you know what the differences between the Fed and Cali PROMs are?

 

The Vette should run an EGR from 85-91 with the TPI setup.

Its all programmable within TunerPro to turn it on or off.

I turned the error code off in my 305 because I had some Custom runners that did not have the small tubes for EGR or the cold start... I did not want to see the SES light.

Its on from the get-go.

Cali was tuned more for emissions, Cali Gas also sucks... I have spoken to people who go to Nevada and get a tank, and were shocked how much better the car ran.

John

 

Ta for that, reckon I have a plan sorted now