Vinscully50

So I was trying to install a performance chip from into my ECM. The chip seemed a little too wide and would not fit. After sending some pictures to the maker of the chip, they are sending me a new one. One problem though, I really bent my pins trying to install it, and I can't seem to get a few of them up. No luck with a flat head, needle nose or tweezers. I went looking for a replacement ECM. I tried all of the autopart stores, NAPA, Advance, O'Reilly's, Autozone, Pep Boy's, etc. None of them had anything Fuel Injected ECMs listed. They also couldn't special order them. Same with Rockauto, all of the TPI ecms are out of stock only Carb is available.

I love my car's TPI system and don't want to spend hundreds to convert it to carb after the TPI has been great for 10 years. Anyone know where I can get a new ECM?

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

It is an outdated system with not a ton of vehicles that use them on the road. Buy used or upgrade to an EBL. Why do you need (or think you need) a performance chip?

Vinscully50

Just wanted a mild boost in performance. Before you or anyone else says anything. Yes, I already did full exhaust (headers, Y-Pipe and cat back) and did the TPI ram air mod with HVAC piping. So just wanted a chip that worked with those mods. The chip didn't cost much at all.

It does kind of suck because when I got my car 10 years ago, there was a large TPI aftermarket. Even 5 years ago there was. Since the pandemic it seems everyone stopped making TPI stuff. What's EBL?

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

"Most" mail order chips aren't worth more than the paper they are shipped in.

The EBL system is a tunable ECM. Made by Dynamic EFI, see here https://www.dynamicefi.com/.

Lots and lots...and lots of reading can be found on thirdgen forums for this system. With a lot of it contained here https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-...uning-ebl.html

That being said, there are not a ton of gains to be made doing adding a tune to that mild of mods. The bottle neck of the TPI is the intake manifold system itself not necessarily the air intake. You might feel a seat of the pants gain, but that could be placebo too.

Vinscully50

Seat of the pants is fine with me. I'm not going to put a ton of money into my 305. If the chip gives me 5 to 10 more HP, I'm cool with that.

ULTM8Z

Have you looked on EBay?

What year Camaro?

vinny R

Look on E-Bay. I am not sure your ECM # for the 86 but there is a link below to a 77-6965 on E-Bay and there seem to be more than one seller selling them.

Engine Control Module (ECM)-Computer Cardone 77-6965 Reman | eBay

Vinscully50

Good News everyone. I found a few replacement ECM options. Aside from eBay both Hawks and Howell EFI have remans for sale.

SbFormula

SbFormula

Hi,

Just food for thought, not criticizing.

I know it's more than you ask for

Glad you brought that up. It's the kind of statement I read all the time. In fact it's the same ole statement being made for the last 30+years ("I just want a bit more HP..."). Way back, the TPIs were kindda kings. If you'd added an extra 30 bolt on HP to them, it was really great on the street, loud and fast but mostly affordable. Thirdgens have this unique sporty/fast looking car. So one would except some performance out of them. Problem, I find, now a days, is TPI+small block combo, in their OEM form, are obsolete and not really considered performance anymore. Spending time and money trying to squeeze an extra 30 hp seems a bit counter productive. It will make the car loud and attract attention only to find its owner blown in smoke by a modern family SUVs or pick-up trucks. Tuning a TPI using open source on the internet is a pain and not accessible to everyone. You WILL spend countless hours trying to get it right only to find yourselves frustrated. It's a long learning journey. Ask me how I know. Off the shelf tunes are worthless.

Your LB9 '86 was rated at 190HP!!!!

I am pretty sure the aftermarket is seeing a slow down in demand for TPI enthusiasts. Now a days, what is 210hp for a 3700lbs (gas + average driver) sporty old looking rattly car? A bit of a joke IMO, when any sporty modern sedans can achieve that with a lighter weight and modern amenities. I have way more fun with a cheap, used, '20 Malibu Premiere 2.0L T, with a Trifecta tune+brembo brake swap. I day track (lapping) the damn thing and it's a hoot. I also get 1/4 mile in 13.8 at 102mph with AC and ventilated seat on, listening to a Bose radio system. Lots of low end torque... and no rattles!!!!!!!

When I get back in my all original '89 IROC-Z, 5 speed, 220hp, I have a different emotions. It's not about performance. It's about time traveling and nostalgia. I just slowly cruise the thing around on a beautiful day, enjoying the quietness of it's exhaust (still a bit of OEM rumble), laughing at all its imperfections, blasting the Delco radio with '80s music, looking at the bouncy speedometer and holding on to my coffee mug (no cup holders!!!). Why would I ever want to start adding bolt on mods? It's pointless.

My IROC-Z was more expensive than my Malibu!!!!

When I get in my '91 restomod 400HP Formula, it's a hoot to drive. However, it's so rough and loud it gets me tired after a few hours. Plus everyone wants to race you and humiliate you. Why? Because it attracts attention and ego driven drivers want to prove themselves. Also, it's now having a hard time keeping up with modern Camaros, et all. And I am not talking about the law enforcement attention I get with the loud exhaust.

I now have my eyes on a beautiful rust free '87 Trans Am LG4 AT with BW rear end. It has the rare 16in convex mag wheels. To my eyes, it's a beauty. But that's all there is to it. It is sitting in a barn 5 minutes from my place. It's 99% original and it's a local car. Hopefully, the owner will sell it to me. I want to bring it back to life and daily drive it. It has a whopping 155 or 160 hp depending on who you talk to. It's an absolute joke. Will I try to squeeze more HP out of it? Maybe the basic upgrades to carburetor and air intake but won't touch the exhaust. It's expensive enough to bring back to OEM specs let alone bolting on unreliable aftermarket stuff (ask me how I know). For what? Maybe 200hp.... hahaha! I could do an LS swap with drive train, brakes and all. I have the resources. Why? Way too expensive for what I get.

Glad you found an ECM. They are indeed hard to get now. I was lucky to get one a few months ago for my IROC when it sh** the bed.

That's my Sunday morning unsolicited opinion.

Peace

Fred SS

iTrader: (3)

That is good to know. Good luck.

Fred