felo72

Can anyone give me a part number for a memcal chip for an 87 to 89 350 TPI with automatic ECM? If not, does anyone know where I can find the part numbers? The dealer isn't being much help. Thanks

Guest

87 and 89 are completely different.

Which is it you want to run?

felo72

I have an 86 with a 350 TPI, but the computer is calibrated for a 305 TPI. I was told that 86-89 computer were all the same the only difference is the chip. If I was missinformed, could you please help?

Guest

The computers themselves are all the same, the chip is different. 86 is its own deal, IMO you dont want to use that besides the fact theres no 86 350 chip GM lists anyway besides Corvette. 87-88 are for the most part the same. 86-88 will be a direct swap though without doing anything. 89 would require you disconnect the cold start injector, disable the VATS in the chip, and quite likely change the radiator fan control, other than that it will plug in as well. Not so direct huh? If you want a direct plug in with no hassles, I would order a chip for an 88. If the dealer is no help, the guy looking it up is useless. The screen lists them by application and the gear ratios are listed on the screen as well. Pretty easy to find it IMO.

I've bought a stock 88 chip for a 350 with 3.27 rear and I'm sure I can find the GM part number when I get home, if you want it.

felo72

If you could get me the part number that would be very helpfull. So the 88 chip will be the one to go with without any hassle? I had no idea, I'm new to the fuel injection world. Thanks again for the information.

Guest

Yea, swapping to an 88 chip will be no problem.

I'm not 100% on this number (it could be for an 86 but I really seriously doubt it, based on when it was purchased and it was in the receipts for the car I used the 88 chip in), see if you cant get the guy at the dealer to verify what this fits (I wish you luck).
16083286

I just checked the thirdgen FAQ, thats the number cept the last 2 digits on the FAQ are transposed. 88, 3.27 rear, 350 TPI. Oh... MY number is the correct one, thats what the dealer sold me.

felo72

Thank you, I'll let you know how it goes, I should get a chance to put it in this weekend. Thanks again!

felo72

Madmax, I just ordered the chip and had the salesman check it for me. He said the 16083268 was the right number for an 88 with 3.27 rear and 350 TPI. The price was $63.71 plus tax, just thought I would post it for anyone that would like to know.

Guest

63 bucks??? YIKES!
Boy that dealer needs a jar of vaseline on the counter...

I see thats the list price... no breaks for you

Weird the PN he gave you is different. I still have the package mine came in, I guess I'll have to check that.

BadSS

The FAQ section has a good listing of the chips available and their part numbers.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/faq/thirdgen.shtml

According to that listing the 16083268 number is for a Camaro - 88 auto 350 w/3.27 gears.
The 16083286 number is showing for a Firebird - 88 auto 350 w/3.27 gears (no VATS)

Hey 72,,, you didn't say if you had them or not,, but you'll need the "350" 22# injectors for the "350" chip to work right. If you run the "350" chip with the 305's 18# injectors,,, you will run way lean. If you don't have the 22# injectors,, and plan on running the 305's 18# injectors,,, continue using your 305 chip.

felo72

It has 22# injectors in it now, the person I bought the car off of made sure to tell me that. It also has a 1,000 CFM Accel throttle body, I'm anxious to see how the car will run once I get the chip, I know it has some real potential, I've just been working on it since I got it.

Guest

Coulda sworn I ordered it for a Camaro... lol

Grim Reaper

I don't think I've found a Memcal yet which is different between two identically equiped 3rd Gen Camaros and Firebirds. What is interesting is that certain years have multiple Memcals available for the same vehicle/equipment. I think 1989s have the most, with the biggest difference often being JUST the MAF Scalar Tables.

felo72

I installed the chip yesterday and the car runs 100% better, I have only one problem but I think I know what it is. After running the car to operating temperature, if I turn the ignition off, run in a store and come out to start it again, it won't fire. I think it's the module heating up and when it's cold it fires right up. Anyway, just wanted to thank you guys for the help!

felo72

Well, it's not the module, coil, alternator, or the battery. Now the car won't start or even turn over. Could the chip be the result of this? Does the chip have a VATS code? If so could that be my problem?

camaro6spd

starter solenoid???????

felo72

I don't know, I thought about it, I hope I'll have time this weekend to check it out. But most of my problems occur after I start it, is it possible the solenoid could have a short causing the battery to drain? Or even blow the gauge cluster fuse?

felo72

The Demon left and came back in another form. I did nothing from the last time I wrote and had the car towed home because it wouldn't start or turn over. I went out this afternoon and just thought I would try to start it. I put the key in, turned it once, two cranks later the car started right up. Now it didn't run well, but it atleast turned over this time. I was told the fuel injectors could be leaking and causing the engine to flood, causing me to not be able to start the car directly after running it, but it not cranking the last time still has me puzzled. It's possible, but I still can't pin point where the short is causing the gauge cluster to blow also.

Oh one more point, I turn the ignition on, and heard the fuel pump prime, then started the car. Turned it off and turned it right back to the on position and no prime noise. Went to turn over the car and it started. I tried this a couple of time and it ran. Not well enough to drive but it ran. I don't know now...

Vader

Felo,

Leaking injectors won't prevent the starter from cranking, so I'd disregard that idea. I'd be more tempted to recheck the ECM edge connectors, grounds, power (fuse), and EPROM seating. If the car ran differently after the restart, I'd suspect that the ECM lost power (and all BLM tables) and was starting back at square one to relearn.

The instrument cluster fuse blowing may be another indication of a wiring problem. One of the interfaces between the IP and ECM is the SES lamp grounding. The circuits may be joined at the ALDL or elsewhere within the wiring harness.

As for the fuel pump priming, it may not be a problem. Remember that the ECM will operate the fuel pump relay for two seconds after the initial ignition power-up, but that the system must be off for at least 20 seconds before it will cycle the pump again. That is in the firmware, and is necessary on MAF cars to provide an uninterrupted MAF burnoff cycle after shut-down. If the FP is powered, the MAF power relay is also energized (circuit 120) which would interrupt the MAF burnoff circuit. Even the S/D cars have the same firmware design, so it isn't a flaw, just the system acting normally.

redbird_400

Hey Vader, just interested. Have you got any certifications? Hey if not why you seen to know a load.

felo72

I have just a couple more questions and info to add with my last post. The problem started off as the car wouldn't start after running it. It sounded like a bad control module, so I changed it with the coil and alternator and still, it would crank but not start after I ran the car. Then the one day I took it for a ride, I took the alternator apart to line it up for my spacer and didn't put it back together the right way (forgot to put the paper clip in to hold the springs in). I thought I fixed it but when I took the car for a ride, I was running on 5 to 8 volts. I stopped at AutoZone and put a new battery in and another alternator and it wouldn't even crank, so I had it towed home. That leads me to yesterday when I tried to start it for sh*ts and giggles. After I got it running it idled rough and sounded like it wanted to stall, but I didn't take a chance and drive it anywhere. Getting back to my questions, could the ECM be bad? How do I check it? The check engine light has a new bulb in it, but it doesn't come on. I plan on barrowing my friends AutoXray again next week, could anyone give me some specs to look for to help diagnose the problems? I hope I haven't wore out my welcome, but I really appreciate the help.

86 IROC with a 350 TPI out of a 1980 Chevy truck, but I've installed an 88 350 TPI EPROM.

881SA

Any chance 14 years later you would know if this chip is still available?
Dealer say part is discontinued.