I am making the conversion from the 870 to the 165 ECM (89 code, ARAP). My
question is this: since I can get the ARAP and burn it, do I have to get
the correct memcal right away? On the 870, I know the calpak only
controlled fuel delivery in the limp home mode. I was wondering if I could
forgo getting the memcal from GM at the start and just just any ole 165
memcal (I need to check applications, but this would include 6 and 4 cyl
versions from a junkyard if they had the 165 in those models). When I get
everything correct and tuned properly, I would probably get the correct
one in case my ECM decided to go on vacation one day. I am just on a
macaroni and cheese budget these days.

To clarify things, I plan on taking the memcal I get and doing the ZIF mod
to it, then installing the ARAP bin. Can it be any memcal or does it have
to be for my application (2.59 gear, automatic).
Thanks for any insight, -Matt-

 

I don't think. I had a 165 memcal that originally had an ARBY code. I have no idea what car that came out of. What I do know is that when I erased it and reprogrammed it with my bin, it did not work at all. I also have a 7730 I bought that was out of a Buick. It aslo came with a memcal. I'm in the proces of converting to a 7730 on my 89 Vette and should be done over the weekend. I plan on at least trying the 7730 memcal from the Buick before I blow $50.00 on a new one.

Jason

 

For the '165 ECM, you should be able to use any memcal. The resistor networks are only used for limp mode, which you should never be in.

For the '730 ECM you really should have the proper memcal, as the knock filtering circuitry is on the memcal and, since knock signature tends to be a function of bore size, you need to match proper bore sizes.

--andrew

 

Geez, gettin to be misinformation central around here.

YES, you want to run as close as poosible memcal to what your actually running, the limp home mode does matter if you wind up having to use it. No one plans on using it, but chit happens.

Also, has to have the right cylinder select on the memcal.

 

Heh, yeah chit does happen, Grumpy. I've been mucking with my car for three years now and never been in limp mode. Just a data point. 'course now I'm getting heavy into prom burning too.

What did you mean by c/s on the memcal? You mean as part of limp mode?

 

I'm assuming that he means that the Limp home chips were created around the stock engines parameters(cylinder size, injectors?, other common things?), so if you used a 4cylinder memcal and had something quit working(prom?) what would you do then?
Just spend the money and be safe... put a zif socket in it and you are good to go.. I'd rather spend the 50 instead of blowing something up.

Brendan

 

Afgun, until I got into eprom burning, I never had an SES light or ever went into limp mode.

Now that I am burning my own eprom, I have seen that SES light come on more times than I care to mention. I admit I am deeply modifying the code too, along with modifying the parameters (and modifying TunerCats TDFs for parameters and "bit twiddling" that probably no one else does).

But the point is, you can check until you are blue in the face, and occasionally something slips by, or your find out that something else affected by that seemingly innocent change.

That is why I like useing a "piggy back" for all my eprom changes. If the SES light does come on (and sometimes it doesn't happen when your first start the engine), I can unplug the "piggy back" and rely on my trusty, old AUJP GM Memcal. In fact, I carry a second GM Memcal...just to be safe.

 

Thank you all for the fast responses. I was going to hold off buying the correct one mainly because my dealer didn't have a memcal in stock to my liking and I was hoping to have the swap done by Sunday night (already had harness adapter made).

I am holding off now until I can get a memcal as close to my parameters as possible..whether it means 4 days from now or 10. Better to do it once right than twice wrong (and God knows I have done it twice wrong many a time).

Thanks again, -Matt-

 

There is cylinder select in the prom for setting the way the code runs, and cylinder select in the NETRES for setting the hardware.

I've been doing chips for some time now, and just about the time I take a **chance** on trying something goofy, I'll be damned if that's not when I wind up using limp home to get to the edge of the road.

Maybe just me, but anymore I would always error on the safe side, when playing in traffic....

My favorite diddy was a DIY traction control unit, using may $20 of Radio Shack Parts, well turns out the IC had a thermal limit of 32dF, Yep, on a cold night went under 32dF, and the car would not move, PERIOD. No way, no how, was just sitting there freezing wondering what to do, and it dawned on me about the traction control unit. It's still sitting as far as I could throw it into some corn field.

 

The vehicle will not run anywhere near correctly (if at all) without a memcal of at least the correct cylinder count.

Been there, tried that...

------------------
----------
Gabe

 

A little off topic, but a visit to holman.cs.uml.edu/~sdurphey/bccfind/

Gives you the following:

BCC used in 1989. (Scroll down for more info)
BCC= ARBY4578
Scan id= 4531
Part number= 16134577
Release date= 11/23/88
Engine size= 2.8
Trans Type= Auto trans
ECM/PCM: ECM #01227730


Used in cars:
Chevy
Pontiac
Oldsmobile
Buick

Possibly used in:


CELEBRITY
6000 LE
6000 STE
6000 SE
CIERA/CRUISER WAGON
CIERA BROUGHAM/SL
CIERA INTERNATIONAL
CENTURY CUSTOM
CNTRY LTD/ESTATE WGN


Options:
With GX3 TRANSAXLE, FINAL DRIVE, 3.33 RATIO
With LB6 2.8L GAS 6 CYL MFI
With ME9 AUTO 4 SPD THM 440 T4
With NA5 FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
Without NM8 EMISSION SYSTEM, LEADED FUEL


BCC used in 1990. (Scroll down for more info)
BCC= ARBY4578
Scan id= 4531
Part number= 16134577
Release date= 11/23/88
Engine size= 3.1
Trans Type= Auto trans
ECM/PCM: ECM #01227730


Used in cars:
Chevy
Pontiac
Oldsmobile
Buick

Possibly used in:


CELEBRITY
6000 LE
6000 SE
CIERA S/CRUISER WGN
CIERA
CIERA SL/CRUISER WGN
CIERA INTERNATIONAL
CENTURY CUSTOM
CNTRY LTD/ESTATE WGN


Options:
With GX3 TRANSAXLE, FINAL DRIVE, 3.33 RATIO
With LH0 3.1L GAS 6 CYL (3.1T) V6
With ME9 AUTO 4 SPD THM 440 T4
With NA5 FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
Without NM8 EMISSION SYSTEM, LEADED FUEL

Best broadcast code lookup I've seen yet!

 

I note that all of those 2.8 engines use the SD 7730 ecm.

 

Sorry guys, this was a while back. I ended up going speed density with a 730 and used the right memcal. When I used the wrong one (waiting for my right one), I got cyl select error, so that is a point to be made. -Matt-

 

holman.cs.uml.edu/~sdurphey/bccfind/

This link is dead. Any more sites for looking up broadcast codes?