Is there ANY WAY possible to get around purchasing GM part # 16151348, the stock memcal for a 1992 350 V8 Camaro if I'm doing a TPI upgrade to MAP and want to burn my own chip?

If I used a memcal adapter and a custom burned chip, why would I need the stock memcal (other than "limp home" mode)? Furthermore, why would I need the 350 V8 memcal even though the '730 ECU had other applications. Why not tear up a V6 memcal from one of the '730 ECUs? Just put it on the memcal adapter? What if I just said, screw GM and 'limp home' mode? Other than my taxes going to the 'bailout', how will GM be able screw me back?

What if I bought a Hypertech or Jet chip for $190? Would I be able to tear one of those up instead of the $300 GM version to use on the memcal adapter so I can burn my own chip? I want to save $$$ anywhere I can.

Thanks in advance, hope this isn't redundant. I have searched for a week and found nothing.

 

if you don't care about limp home mode, you can modify a v-6 one to act like a v8 one, other than the knock circuitry. This is fine, if you are going from TBI or MAF, you can re-use your existing knock module on the firewall with a couple of wiring mods. If you are starting from scratch, and want knock control, you can use that stuff also. Search under my name and 'memcal' and you should find a whole bunch of stuff that will help you out.

 

what about 305 memcals? similar V8. Heck some guys run 350 memcals on 383's and 406's etc...so why do you need a 350 memcal for the 730 if you run different cubes anyway?

 

it has to do with bore size. since the 350, 383 use the same block, it's the same bore, therefore the acoustic signature is pretty close. unfortunately, the 305 has a small bore, and has a different signature. as for a 406, the bore is still pretty close, apparently close enough to still work effectively enough.

realistically, it might work, it will definitely 'work' in the application, but the knock control is questionable.

 

Is that what you refer to signature as? the knock control aspect?

 

yes, signature as in acoustic signature. If you strike a piece of metal, or anything, really, it will ring at it's natural resonance. Detonation is basically small explosions happening when they aren't planned, and are equivalent to striking the block with a hammer.

I took a look at alot of memcal stuff lately, particularly with regards to knock frequency, and how it relates to GM engines.

it looks like pretty much every smaller engine(I4, V6, 305) GM has made up to 1999 rings at between 6-7Khz. Larger blocks, 350, lt1, 454, etc all seem to have a tuned frequency of around 5kHz.

 

Knock control works great on my 305 memcal in my 350. Right up to the point I eliminated all knock retard thinking it was mechanical noise. Well my mechanical noise was a lean running cylinder because it somehow recieved a 17# V6 injector instead of the 28# LT4 injectors I had in every other cylinder, in the right hand bank. My 02 sensor and WBO2 are in the driverside header collector. Poor 350 did not stand a chance.

 

Hey guys, thanks alot, but I am tossing around the idea of going the '411 PCM route with all the necessary vortec mods instead of using a '730 with a 305 memcal or modified V6 memcal. Some of the newer parts are cheaper anyways, more plentiful, and more reliable. And I just like the idea of the older 5.7L vortec blocks with the MAP TPI setup and the newer electronics.

 

That works very well too. It is what I am in the process of doing. I am installing a 4L60E and an electronic speedometer cluster at the same time.

 

I don't know guys but my gta is running beautiful with the stock 305 memcal and moates adapter that was tuned by a friend of mine here.
I am running a 350 with corvette alum. heads and instantly after the tune,the rich exhaust smell dissappeared.