I have a 89 firebird with a motor that needs more than the 7165 will offer. Wanted to know if i could convert to an lt1 ecu? Any advice? Also is the DFI Gen VI any good for driveability? Thanks,
Aaron

 

I don't believe thee LT1 ECM would work too well. The LT1's use and Opti-Spark igntion system. Although it is claimed that the Opti-Spark wheel can be placed into a standard distributor.

May also want to consider a '730 ECM.

RBob.

 

I'd like to see that done! Those opti-spark wheels are rather accurate. A 93 ecm could be used I would think. They only used a 32k bin and have really useful tables. It's also well supported by TunerCat.
I'd look at using an Lt1 ecm if I had a mpfi with an e-trans and a motor that reved beyond 6400rpm, other wise I'd stick with the 7730.

 

SO POSSIBLE OR NOT POSSIBLE?

Oh and can anyone tell me about the drivabillity when using a DFI setup? Thanks,
:lala:

 

Gen VIs are your most minamal of systems, while some folks like them, some folks find them barely tolerable. Mix in not being repaired by ACCEL, and key parts no longer being available, it's a marginal ecm who's time has passed, IMO.

While the LT1 PCMs are neat, any voltage problem while programming, and you wind up with a paper weight, until you send it to someone who can take it apart, and heal it. With the real time tuning available for the stockers, there's little to be gained with a later pcm, again, IMO.

 

ok...well now i'm lost. SO what do i need to do.....? Some please help....want to get my car going again with the beast of a motor that i built. Thanks...any sugestions Grumpy?

 

Aftermarket ecms that want to survive need to have tons of features, awesome software, and most importantly, the ability to use readily available sensors and signal inputs. Sometimes it's actually easier to use an aftermarket ecm than GM's stuff.

The LT1's pcm in 93 isn't a flash computer, it's still memcal p4 stuff. I'm falling in love with the 93 computer now that I've had time to play with it. I've yet to do any "fun" engines with the 730/749 so I can't say which I prefer. I just think the 93 ecm has better resolution tables that are easier to modify. They're also SD, 94 was when the Lt1's went to MAF.

Since it would require some custom fabrication getting an opti pickup and wheel into a standard dizzy I'd have to tell you to go with the 7730 and $8D code for starters. That ecm has plenty of potential.

 

dp

 

Anyone else have an opinion?

 

huh

 

so how do u do the distributor conversion..........? Thanks in advance!

 

So I wasn't imagining things!

RBob.

 

That one is not mine (If someone recognizes it speak up, I don’t remember even where I got that pic), but I’ve done one before… it’s really not a big deal, just gut a distributor, take the guts out of an opti, figure out where you want things screwed down and do it… just match up the orientation with what you find in the opti

 

I love the idea of the 93 LT1 ECM. It still has a memcal and has expanded tables compared to the $8d. It is like an improved version of the 730 in my mind. I wonder how hard it would be to change the code to make it work with HEI.

The things I like about the 93 LT1 ecm and code:
- 2 O2 sensors
- 2 knock sensors
- Batch fire like $8d 730
- Map like $8d 730
- No trans controller
- Expanded tables VE and spark tables

 

Dual O2s are an OBDII requirement for measuring cat performance.
You can fine tune the K/S closer it that's an issue (at least on the 58 code).
Batch fire, same

As far as bigger tables some simple patches should cure that.

93 is a 1 year only ecm, as I recall. If you want to go thru all that, be sure to have a spare or 2.