I have a 1982 z28 with a 350 HO from an 1987 Caprice, and a TH-350 trans., I am currently in the process of installing a TPI system from a 1988 IROC, I also have a 1227165 ecm in need of a chip, I found a Jet Performance Chip for an 88 350 Iroc for about 70$, will it work in my application? I know that most people dont recommend aftermarket chips for performance gains, but its really just a working ecm to complete this project that I am interested in, I talked to someone from tbi_chips.com but he needs a core that I dont have, so would I be better off spending $100+ through tbi_chips.com or buying the Jet for $70? Thanks.

 

It depends.

If the jet chip is the piggyback adapter type, then you have to make sure it's including a stock memcal as well with it or it's useless. But if it is a piggyback type, and does have a stock memcal with it, then yes buy it and you'll be that much closer to doing your own chips.

If it's not an adapter type then don't waste your time with it at all and just buy a stock memcal from GM. It'll cost about the same, but at least the GM chip isn't a total piece of garbage.

 

Premade chips suck. Think about it. How can a company that makes these "superchips" tune them for your car if it isn't stock? Answer is: THEY CAN'T. That's why people on here make fun of them and call them thinks like "hyperjunk". Unless your car is 100% bone stock the chips won't do anything. The fuel curve will be wrong and so will your shift points.

Theres tricks to setting the stock chip to do whay you want if you haven't made any serious mods to your car. The ECM is a "learning" ECM. It's capable of making certain adjustments based on how you drive your car. Most of these settings are learned in about the first 20 minutes or so.

If you are going to get a chip. Wait until you have the mods to need one. And then either get the stuff to make your own, or get one from someone like Ed Wright that custom makes them to your cars specs. Hope this clears things up.