Basic Hotair Info!

87 ECM Conversion Guide

Basically you need an 1227148 ecm, a maf and a chip, thats it.

Here is a list of all the cars that used this ecm. FWD 3.8 EFI ECM can be used with a RWD 3.8 Turbo application. It does not have to come out of a TR. It will have 1227148 on a paper tag on the back of the ecm. When your at the junk yard just look at the vin number and it will tell you if the car is the right one. First the 8th character is the engine code and it must be a "3" or a "B" depending on the model of the car. Next look at the 10th character it will be a letter this is the year and you want a "G". All the cars you will be looking for will be 86's on that list and the "G" means 1986. The ecm's are behind the glove box and are fun to get to. I doubt you will find a TR in the junk yard.

You will also need a 86/87 MAF from a Turbo Regal or you can get an LS1 or LT1 maf and a Translator from FULL THROTTLE SPEED - Store Front Page or TurboTweak Home. I have read that the 84/85 mafs do not work very well with the 86/87 ecm.

The other thing the 86/87's have that we don't is a manifold air temperature sensor (MAT). If you want to you can add it, this measures the air temp at the air filter outlet. It will require you to add some wiring and a sensor and Caspers Electronics, Inc. does sell a kit for this. Or you can do the easy thing like I did and just have your chip programmed not to use this sensor because it is really not needed if you are using Eric's version 5.6 chips. If it were anything important Eric would not disable it. This way you don't have to run any new wires and the ecm won't throw any fault codes. His older version 5.5 chips used the MAT sensor for changing your timing and fueling in the programming mode. His new 5.6 chips use the gas pedal for programming.

Then order your chip as per the spec's on your car from TurboTweak Home. The newer ecm will plug in to your existing wiring harness with no modifications. I am still using my 84 ESC and ignition coil module too. The other things needed would be an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, a new fuel pump and hot wire kit because the new chip requires 43 psi of static fuel pressure. Stay away from the fuel pumps on E Bay and get one from one of the reputable sponsors on this board.

ECM pn# 1227148 Here is a listing of all that use it:

1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI T Engine VIN = 7
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM GTA SE V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI T Engine VIN = 7
1987 BUICK REGAL GRAND NATIONAL V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI T Engine VIN = 7
1987 BUICK REGAL LIMITED V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI T Engine VIN = 7
1986 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 BUICK CENTURY ESTATE WAGON V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 BUICK CENTURY T-TYPE V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 BUICK CENTURY V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = B
1986 BUICK ELECTRA PARK AVENUE V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = B
1986 BUICK ELECTRA T-TYPE V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = B
1986 BUICK ELECTRA V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = B
1986 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 BUICK LESABRE LIMITED V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 BUICK LESABRE V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = B
1986 BUICK REGAL GRAND NATIONAL V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI T Engine VIN = 7
1986 BUICK REGAL T-TYPE V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI T Engine VIN = 7
1986 OLDSMOBILE 98 REGENCY V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = B
1986 OLDSMOBILE 98 REGENCY BROUGHAM V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = B
1986 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA S V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
1986 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 ROYALE BROUGHAM V6 3.8L 231cid GAS FI N Engine VIN = 3
 
Ignition wire diagram

Ignition Wire.jpg


Search result for:
Pink Wire
Ignition wiring
Resistor wiring
Ignition hot wire

Get a good water proof relay from Caspers Electronics.
Cut the 12V power wire to the ignition module.
Use the wire from the firewall side to trigger the relay.
Run a wire from the Alternator post to the relay "power feed".
Run the "relay power output" to the cut "Ignition module power wire".
Now you have a hotwire. :cool:
 
Installing Boost Gauge...
On the front of your intake over near the water neck, and water temp sensor there is a plug. Remove the plug in the intake, and it will supply you with a direct port for you to get your boost gauge reading. Along with your Boost Gauge kit there usually comes brass fittings. One of those fittings fits right into the intake, and provides you with a tight Boost Gauge seal.

Look here...
http://www.engraver1.com/help/intake2ETC.gif
Connect to #7 -plug, located on the front of intake.
 
Dose anyone have a wiring diagram of a hot air fuel pump
Follow the link in post 18, and "Please", do not reply to this post.
We want to keep it "pure" with "tech reference only" where we can.
 
Knock Check List

Start going thru this list.............Turbo Regal Knock Problem Check List
1. Start-up knock? Normal and usually caused by the starter engaging the flex plate. Usually sets off 1-3 lights.
2. Possible bad ECM or ESC module. Test with good working units.
3. Exhaust rattle – check the down pipe, tail pipes, and have engine tie down strap
4. Boost creep especially top of 1st gear on 1-2 shift.
5. Lean air/fuel mixture.
6. To low octane gas – bad pump gas – try some race gas
7. Too much timing in chip for fuel used. Try different chip.
8. Try cooler spark plugs – use only AC Delco (R43-TS or R42-TS)
9. Gap plugs to .035
10. Check torque converter bolts to make sure they are tight
11. Loose harmonic balancer. Make sure torqued to 200 ft/lb Is keyway secure?
12. Check internal engine noises like timing chains (roller), lifters/rockers, etc.
13. Damaged knock sensor
14. Check fuel pump pressure and volume
15. Proper torque on knock sensor – 14 ft/lb
16. Check Alternator voltage: 13.8 - 14.5v
17. Check computer power wire - they can break internally.
18. Troubleshoot the computer connector power wires and ground wires.
19. Swap coil pack, wires, plugs w/known good units.
20. Swap MAF with known good unit.
21. Check battery ground connection @ block (clean/inspect).
22. Check/change battery cables (both).
23. Are there MAF leaks in the inlet tube?
24. Are there vacuum leaks. Use carb cleaner or WD-40 & spray everything. Does the rpm change?
25. Disconnect the main injector harness - inspect, WD-40. Check for moisture in main connector.
26. Disconnect the coil-pack connector - inspect pins & spray w/WD-40.
27. Is the cat still installed? Is it good?
28. Have you performed a leak down check?
29. Do the rockers open/close? Do we have a wiped cam lobe?
30. Is the boost/vacuum steady @ idle?
31. Is the engine over revving? Should be 4,800-5,200 rpm
32. Carbon in cylinders? Clean with GM engine top cleaner
33. Inter-cooler dirty? Clean inside inter-cooler and fins
34. Oil in intake tract?
35. Check for exhaust leaks, cracked header
36. Battery good?
37. EGR valve in working order?
38. Check that no cables, wires, etc are touching the knock sensor
39. Blown head gasket? Compression test. Should be around 150.
40. Injectors flowing/working correctly?
41. Check vacuum line to fuel pressure regulator for cracks
__________________
Search; KR, Knock Retard, Detonation
 
My contribution to the sticky...

There are wiring diagrams, ecm pinouts, flow charts, trouble shooting, and more so check it out.



Thanks,
Jerry
 
adj. wastgate

where can i buy a new waste gate for my 1984,,,,all that i find r for 87?
 
Kirban Performance sells the single hose waste gate actuator. It is listed for an 86/87. It fits the hot air cars with some simple install changes. I am running this actuator on my car with zero operational issues. The only downside to this actuator is that it will rub on the hood insulator. If you go this route I can send you the modified install instructions. Take-care- Brad
 
Hi
On your post for the firing order. Are you absolutely positive that is correct? I hate to question because I am a newbie but it appears to me that the coil layout in the pic is upside down. I have a 85 and my wires are exactly on the other side from where you show yours..For ex. At the front of the car view, The back wires on my coil are 4 2 6 and yours are 1 5 3...On the front of the coil my wires are 1 5 3 and yours are are 4 2 6...Please get back to me on this..I am confused. I'm trying to get my car running right and this is a bit confusing to me!

Thanks! Bill
 
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