Is anyone (in Canada) interested in doing a group purchase on PROMS and ZIF sockets? I looked at JDR, and they have the PROMs (29C256) for $4.39 US, and the sockets for 8.19.

Not sure about shipping + duty, but we should save some money if we get it shipped together.

 

Alex, I am looking into purchasing the kit to burn my own prom. However, i do not have a scan tool. Does you computer give you important values so you will not have to purchase a scan tool? And how much did every thing cost you ie...software and hardware? Also, Do you need a specail tool to use flash proms instead of eproms? Any info would be greatly appricaited!

 

Hey I'm interested but I would also need the laptop cable and PROM burner.

 

Well, I got some free samples of the Max233 and 232 chips. Go to www.maxim-ic.com and look for product info... can't remember exactly where to go.

I bought the rest of the components for about $30 (CDN) from RP Electronics in Burnaby, and I'm going to put it together tonight. The only thing that I don't have is the ALDL connector, but I think I'm going to just rig up some clips.

I'm going to do that rather than the scan tool because I'm wanting to get a cheap laptop anyway.

The tools to flash EEPROMS is usually the same as for burning EPROMS. I think I'm going to order the XTronics one ($199 US).

The scanning software is free (and Open Source) from Craig Moates.

The only thing that I'm missing is the editor for the PROM data. I guess I will go with TunerCat.

 

I'm really behind the times for computer application stuff, but will this system be able to burn a chip for my car? I have an '83 305-H carbed motor and manual tranny.

I always see chips for the TPI cars, as well as the newer models, but never anything for mine!

Let me know, I may be in on that!

Thanks,
Paul

 

Good luck with JDR...you are going to need it. I had nothing but TROUBLE trying to get my order shipped by JDR and I will NEVER buy ANYTHING from JDR again.

Twice I placed an order and TWICE they cancelled it but kept the US$ 18.00 they charged me in shippping.

If you want, you should make a similar post on the DIY PROM board. We've discussed it (organizing group purchases on the DIY PROM Board) and we've decided to allow it for our unique requirements.

To get 29C256 Flash Proms try www.insight-electronics.com but you must get a minimum order of US$50.00. But their shipping is very reasonable and they will get you the order within 3 days...even in Canada.

FYI, when I bought a bunch of 29C256s, I was flooded with requests to take any spares off of my hands. You won't keep them long.

And yes, the Pocket Programmer WILL erase and reprogram the Flash Prom without needing an UV Eraser. I have found that some computers require you to flash the PROM with Hex FFs first, depending on which program you are using (PROMEDIT vs the Windows Version) and you particular computer that you are using the burner with.

And yes, you CAN make the 29C256 Flash Prom work for MAF cars. I just recently did that with Karl Hunter (Hunter Motorsports) in Burnaby.

BTW, there are plenty of other sources for freeware for a scan tool if you dig around a little. They often give you the source code and you just have to "tweak" with it a little. They do have their advantages as you can use them to find "available" RAM on the ECM to store values if you REALLY want to get into the Assembly Language Programming of the ecm.

For the 83 ecm...good luck. Very little info is availabe on the really old ecms as there are so few and they were so limited. Most guys just convert to something better. Sorry for the bad news.

 

Correct in the above post, I meant to say "FILEPROM" not "PROMEDIT"...Promedit is a program to alter the parameters/tables within a BIN.

 

I just need to get the power programmer without any adapters right?

I have a crappy laptop but I don't know jack about building electronic circuits. I have a soldering gun though. Is it hard to put a cable together?

 

It's not too hard, but I'm an EE student so I should be able to do this kind of stuff.

I think the hardest part is hooking it up to the ALDL port in the car. I haven't figured that out yet.

No adapters are needed because the PP can write to the 29C256 chip.

 

If you use Craig Moates "freeware", you can build a cable that connects to the ALDL to a laptop so you can scan the data.

Check out various posts on the subject on the DIY PROM Board.

As for the AT29C256, the only thing you MAY have to do, is make a 28 pin connector if you plan to install the AT29C256 directly in the Memcal and then program straight to the Memcal. Making the adapter to program straight from the Prom Burner to the Memcal is a piece of cake. It costs $5.00 and takes about 15 minutes (depending how "neat" you want to be).

Again, read Traxion's Prom Burning Article on top of the DIY PROM Board to learn how.