Introduction and 2 questions

[Mark Grave]

Hi,

    I'd like to introduce myself: my name is Mark Grave and I'm from Quebec,
Canada. I've been lurking on this list for about 6 months now and was
already looking at the DIY EFI website way before that. I'm familiar with
electronics as an hobby. And like most of us, I like to tweak cars. ;-) So I
enjoyed surfing around GMECM.
    Anyhow, I'm really impressed by the amount of information that
circulates around and congratulate everyone of you. I've read programming
101, tuning tips, and lots of ALDL information sites. And I still have a
couple of questions that maybe some of you could answer. (If these questions
were already answer, please excuse-me and just direct me to the appropriate
site or archive, I'll run another search)

Btw,  I own a 89 Chevy Caprice that should have a $61 ECM (#1228746). It has
a 305 TBI engine (LO3). I've replace the heads and cam. I used 96' vortec
heads and a B-Body Lt1 cam (191/196 .418/.430). Kept my stock TBI for now
and replaced the intake manifold with an edelbrock performer. The car also
has headers and 2.25" dual exhaust.

1) I've tried some ALDL interfaces (MAX232, 2 transistor type) and I've yet
to build one that works. Seems that either the circuit isn't good (doubled
and trippled checked) or the program isn't designed for my 160 bauds
connection and/or interface. So, I was going to use a hardware interface
like the Diacom's (pretty simple, only transistors) and build my own
program. However, I see people talking about ALDL interfaces as if was
pretty easy. Makes me wonder If I'm missing something? Could people please
tell me what 160baud interface they are using with what program? thank you.

2) Now, with these engine modifications on a stock ecm, the car isn't at all
tuned. However, I can't find any detailed information on my '8746. Is this
ECM some sort of old relic? Was it replaced by a new p/n? Or does people
upgrade the whole ECM unit to a better 8192 bauds? Is it easy to do so? I
know that TBI trucks seem to have better ECM capabilities and
"DIY"-information.


    I was hoping to get the ALDL interface running before the engine build
up, but couldn't get it to work and time was running short. Now, the engine
is running so so and I can't see nothing. I'll install a dashmounted O2
meter from the GN website as soon as I get an heated O2 sensor. I'll also
get my hands on a fuel pressure gauge and tach.
    I can't start burning proms without "seeing" ;-). I'm begining to loose
hope
and I wonder if I should get a custom prom burned for me (but I find it too
expensive for what it is and I don't get to learn what's going own :-P  ).

Thanks in advance for the help,

Mark Grave

http://caprice89.homepage.com/




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