'89 LX Forged 347 in Need of Advice (Fuel & ECU)

HeatShield

New Member
Jun 7, 2020
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Burke Va
In January I bought my dream car, a forged 347 built for a supercharger (currently running and driving without it) from an older gentleman who owned it and maintained perfectly since the build. I could post a list of everything in the drivetrain if this thread takes off (lets hope so) but the drivetrain has all the modifications and build qualities for the 400's in hp and tq. Anyway, it has 30lb/hour injectors (and the calibrated Mass Air Meter) which is definitely too large for naturally aspirated from what I've read on fuel table pages. And although the engine cruises fine it's definitely too rich from the smell and the tiny white puffs in the exhaust, also sometimes startup and idle return is wobbly when its trying to find idle. The ECU is stock but modified or chipped to accommodate the stroke and lack of exhaust air pump without CEL. So in the future I'd like to throw on a Paxton or v3 vortech but for the time being I'd like it to run well Naturally Aspirated for about a year longer until I can save up for the supercharger set. So I'd not like to buy a whole set of 24's AND a mass air since in the future I may need to upgrade to 42's with boost (I'd like to save as much as possible). So what I was planning on doing was buying an ECU that I can learn with naturally aspirated, then use it later on for tuning on the boosted build when I have more experience tuning. Advice on if I should go with the 24's for now or go in on an ECU are welcome. Also ECU recommendations are VERY welcome. Pics of the ECU and my 5-speed stroker next to a ranchero :)
 

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Can't clearly see the ECU Model number. Doesn't look like A9L. Looks like A3M which is one of the many correct ones for your year.
You'll have to remove the ECU to see what chip is installed. The J3 (Test) port is on the opposite end from the harness connector.
 
It may be that the chip that is in the ecu right now, is programmable. Maybe all you need is a software purchase and you can retune using a laptop...
I would drop the ecu to see what kind of chip it has and go from there.

30's should be just fine, but you have a calibrated MAF, and an unknown 'chip'... Before making any decisions, it would be nice to know what you have right now.
Details on the MAF? Details on the chip?
 
It may be that the chip that is in the ecu right now, is programmable. Maybe all you need is a software purchase and you can retune using a laptop...
I would drop the ecu to see what kind of chip it has and go from there.

30's should be just fine, but you have a calibrated MAF, and an unknown 'chip'... Before making any decisions, it would be nice to know what you have right now.
Details on the MAF? Details on the chip?
It has the proper calibrated MAF for the 30 lb/hr fuel injectors, I will check the chip but would it be a bad idea to start looking into Terminator X since I'll be wanting to boost in the future? I feel like learning how to tune would be useful experience now, then again I don't know how difficult it is with Terminator X (looks like people say its really easy software and the Foxbody specific one is for sale at $1100 on their website )
 
I'm sure that is a great system. My point was just that you may already have a MOATES quarterhorse chip in the car... which would mean for a couple hundred (don't recall exactly, but 200 to 300 sounds right), you could load software on a laptop that would allow you to retune the existing chip.

My comment about the calibrated MAF and a chip, is because typically, the tune is used to 'calibrate' the MAF and injectors individually. Most would consider this a more accurate setup... No right or wrong, just degrees of accuracy...
 
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Gotcha, it runs well now I just feel like it could run much better. I just acquired a timing light, so I'm about to check that right now. I really appreciate all the help and advice for a newcomer to foxes. I'm going to also look into the ecu for any chip but a standalone is also something I've always wanted in one of my cars so I may pull the trigger if the chip you say is NOT in there.
 
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