Well I was at goodwill today and I found a still in box ADS superchip for a 350 TPI IROC/GTA. I know that custom burned chips are the best but this was dirt cheap so I figured what the hell Ill take it. It says it is for an 89 though and my car is an 87 350 TPI so I was wondering if it would still work? I would think it would but I just wanted to double check. Thanks!

 

You need to pull the 3 amp fuse in the fuseblock that powers the 9th injector in your 87. The A/C pressure switch is opposite so the coolant fan will always be on. You need the switch from an 89.

Not sure on the transmission auto vs. manual thing. Do they both have the same type of transmission?

 

Anyone else know anything more about this? I want to make sure Im not gonna mess anything up before I put it in. I also just noticed this is in the wrong forum so if an admin wants to move it go for it, Thanks!

 

You could also do a search for $32 to $6E conversion. That is essentially what you will be doing. I think it might even be in the DIY PROM stickies.

 

I'm comfortable with leaving it in the DIY Prom Board. As junkcltr said, you are basically converting from 32B programming to 6E, and the biggest concern is the cold start injector. On the fan issue, as an alternative, you can get the Fan NO switch changed too.

My opinion of those "off-the-shelf" chips is: they do more harm than good on a stock engine. They tend to add a couple of degrees to the timing (sometimes poorly) and they increase the fueling (usually the last thing needed).

 

well it was dirt cheap so I figured id give it a try I would never pay the 150 or more they want for them new. So basically it should be fine just the fans might run all the time?

 

Also what advatages does swapping over to the 6E programming have?

 

The advantages of switching to the 6E has more to do if you choose to do your own eproms. There is more you can control in the 6E which could be helpful in improving driveability.

But, for a swap on "off-the-shelf" chips, there probably isn't many benefits...except if you having problems with the cold-start injector.

 

The cold start injector is not controlled by the ECM. It has a switch on the front of the TPI manifold to control the injector. It is powered by the 3 amp fuse in the fuseblock. Remove the fuse and the injector will not turn on. The $6E code uses the 8 injectors to control the choke.

Yes, if you don't change the switch, then the coolant fan will run full time because it thinks the A/C is on. You could unplug it and jumper to ground if you wanted to test out the new chip before buying the switch. Or maybe just unplug it.....I forget which bin wants normally-open and which wants normally-closed. Anyway, unplug it then check the fan. If it is on, then install a jumper wire to ground.

 

Ok well I put the chip in yesterday and tried to crank it over and it wouldnt go so I guess an 89 chip will now work with an 87 ECM.

 

Yes it will. I and many others are using an 89 chip in an 86-88 ECM. You did something wrong......like VATS, etc. Is the chip even good? Will it datalog with the key on and engine off.

 

Sorry I didnt see this sooner. Your biggest problem is VATS, which started in 1989. The cold start injector is a non-issue, unless you live in a climate where it gets below 40 degrees all the time.
As you found out, the '89 chip will not work because the VATS code is in it. There is nothing you can physically do to fix it that I know about, unless you can burn that chip with VATS turned off.
If you find a chip for an 87 or 88, that will work.

 

Subliminal, go to a "gathering" in your local area and find someone with eprom burning equipment to turn the VATS switch off in the eprom. Also, I believe the fan issue has more to do whether the bin came from a Vette instead of an F-body. I have found the Vette bins tend to have their fans setup the opposite of F-bodies.

But you can test & verify that as well. And, if necessary, you can get that switched in the eprom as well. If you were local, I say "bring over a six pack of beer"... to give you an idea of what price you should pay.

Unfortunately, it's still not a great eprom. Good luck.