Background:
- Have programmed a modified arap based chip for my 305.
- have an original 86 memcal with prom removed (there was very little solder in this carrier, so all that was needed to remove prom was to 'clip' the tiny solder link from carrier to prom with an exacto and pull the chip)

I was going to order some low profile ZIFs when I got to looking at the original carrier.

Question: Why are we going through all the gyrations necessary to add a ZIF socket when the carrier itself seems sufficient? I inserted my new chip into the original carrier, and it was a very snug fit. What are the potential problems in doing this? Have any of you tried it?

Thanks,

Mike

 

You were lucky - the ones I pulled apart had more solder than that.
I ended up cutting the legs off the prom and using a solder sucker to remove any excess solder and bits of legs.

My original intention was similar to what you did - I was going to use a displacement style connector to hold the chip in, but after I placed it on the carrier, there was no room to get the soldering iron underneath to make the connections. After a bit of experimentation on some old carriers, I went and laid a line of solder across each connector where the leg goes in. I then got my heat gun and heated up the top of the carrier until the solder melted and pushed the socket down into it. Now my ZIF sits flush on top of the carrier and I didn't need to reinforce the thing with hot glue.

In your case, I think you may want to put a block of foam rubber or some other non conducting material between the top of the EPROM and the cover. I am not sure how well the chip will stay seated under the kind of vibrations the car will produce under every day driving conditions.

------------------
89 Firebird Formula
WS6 package,ZZ4 Crate engine
SLP 58MM TB, Edelbrock TES Headers
Random Tech 3" cat, SLP 3" stainless exhaust
9 bolt rear, Hotchiss swing arms, Lakewood panhard rod
Corvette 2/4 servo, kevlar band, full poly rear.
Centerline 16x8 rims, B.F Goodrich drag radials

 

That was one of my only concerns...that vibration could shake it loose, but it sits very tight. Your idea is a good one. A small block of black, prom holding foam would prevent any possibilty of it working it's way out.

I was also concerned about any voltage/resistance drops across the connections but everything looks good, so I guess I will try it out and see what happens.

 

This is what I ended up with:

 

Desert,
I would HIGHLY recommend soldering a ZIF socket in there. You may run into some problems, infact i can almost guarentee some problems if the chip isn't soldered in properly. Loose connections reak havoc on eproms. Let us know how everything works.


Brendan

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1987 IROC-Z L98,SuperRam,EB 6085's,LPE 219/219 Roller, Crane 1.6RR, EB TPI Base, 58mm TB, ADS 24#, AFPR, K&N, EB TES, Catco Cat, 3" Borla Cat-Back, Accel cap,rotor,distro/other crap, MSD 6AL, MSD Blaster 3, Aluminum DS, 94 Disk Rear, Adjustable Valve, Precision 3.73 Gears, Sub-Frame Connectors, Hotchkis Lower Control Arms, KYB Shocks/Struts, Suspension Techniques Lowering Springs, Polyurethan Bushings all over the place, Moog Upper/Lower Ball joints and Tie Rods ends/Idler Arm,

To see the ROC, Check out the webpage Here

 

leirch wrote:
Desert,
I would HIGHLY recommend soldering a ZIF socket in there. You may run into some problems, infact i can almost guarentee some problems if the chip isn't soldered in properly. Loose connections reak havoc on eproms. Let us know how everything works.

Actually, that looks quite a bit like a standard displacement style connector. If he can't remove the chip by hand, but has to use a puller or screwdriver, he should be fine.
I was going to solder a pin displacement connector on my calibration socket, but the heat gun melted it, cause it wasn't made of the same high temp plastic like the carrier or ZIF sockets are.


------------------
89 Firebird Formula
WS6 package,ZZ4 Crate engine
SLP 58MM TB, Edelbrock TES Headers
Random Tech 3" cat, SLP 3" stainless exhaust
9 bolt rear, Hotchiss swing arms, Lakewood panhard rod
Corvette 2/4 servo, kevlar band, full poly rear.
Centerline 16x8 rims, B.F Goodrich drag radials

 

Quick question guys:
Where do you get the memcals from, I mean the whole assembly? I figure I would need a few so that I can just swap memcals at the track. Should I go to a GM dealer?
Hope you understand what I'm trying to say
Rick

 

this is what I meant. Where do I get this? This is the memcal right?

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL4/96...45/1138118.jpg

[This message has been edited by F22Raptor (edited March 21, 2001).]

 

I apologize. I'm running on pure caffeine after more than 32 awake.

 

GM Dealer. I put the PN for the 730 TPI memcal in my article.

Tim

------------------
TRAXION's 1990 IROC-Z
Best Time = 12.244 @ 112.51mph (1.778 60' / 7.819@88.32mph in the 1/8)
All Natural. No Force. No Drugs. Stock Bottom End. Stock Body Panels.
Gunning for NA 11's with bigger cam, bigger stall, and bigger exhaust.
-=ICON Motorsports=-
Moderator: PROM board at thirdgen.org

 

Current Update: After plugging my new prom in, everything is running OK...no trouble codes. I let the vehicle warm, and relearn (have to drive on the freeway to get all the cells), and my BLM's are dropping lower that before (maybe due to the injector constant I used).

Added bonus (this didnt even occur to me before, but I just tried it and it works):

For Autoxray users...once you switch to the 89 arap code, you need to change your Xray settings to an 89 F (or 8) engine. Now instead of only 23 points of data, I have 40! Much easier to troubleshoot with more data... but this will become a moot point once I have my laptop hooked in.