Conversion To Throttle Body Injection (TBI)


TR6 Home

TBI - Years Later

Emissions Test

TBI Home

Removing Old Stuff

O2 & TPS Sensor

By Pass Block Off

Carb Adapters

Injector Installation

Fuel Tank & Lines

Fuel Pump

Fuel Lines

Distributor

ECM Connections

1st Start Check List

1st Start Results

Driving Impressions

Reliability & Parts

ECM Trouble Codes

Data Logging

Flashing A Chip

 

 
WinALDL Data Logging

OK, time to do some "data logging". Basically, I've downloaded a free program (WinALDL) to my laptop that captures all kinds of data from the ECM as I'm driving along. John provides the interface cable with one end connecting to the ECM and the other your laptop. I read John's directions again which say "If you are gathering diagnostic data for me, the only one I need to see is the sensor data button."

 
ECM on floor at left & hooked to laptop Program collects 23 different data points as you drive

So off I go on a 40 minute drive that's about 30% around town and 70% on the highway. The laptop is collecting all the data and the car is running great. I get home, check the instructions, click "SAVE" and head back inside. Just like the directions say, there's a small log file now stored on my laptop with all the data. Before I send it off to him, I'm reading a little further on and it says towards the end:  "The only other useful info that I need to see when diagnosing your system is the BLM tables."  Arggghhh Engineers!! So what he really needs to say is that there are TWO pieces of data that he needs. Too late now to head out again.

January 31, 2007

Back in the car, another 40 minute drive, save both pieces of data and email it off to him. I looked at the data in Excel and it seemed strange to me that it didn't change much over the drive, but what do I know?

February 1, 2007

I get an email back from John saying something is wrong, the data doesn't change like it should. After a couple of email exchanges he asks if the WinALDL software settings show the ECM model# as 16144288? I tell him no, because his directions say: "If you are using WINALDL for one of my kits, 99% of the time you'll want to select model# 1227747." Lucky me....I'm in the 1% with a different model# for my ECM.

February 2, 2007

Back in the car for another drive and data logging. This data proved good and he's sent me a new chip file to flash. After the data logging experience, I hope his flashing directions are accurate! I've emailed him to confirm and as soon as I hear back I'll be flashing the update to the chip.

So at this point I have about 150 miles on the car that's about 30% around town and 70% highway. I've gone through, at best, 1/2 a tank of gas, which means I'm getting at least 25 mpg compared to the 15 mpg that I used to get. The car seems quicker with no flat spots around 3000 RPM. Basically, it just keeps pulling through the gears. Drivability is great but I do have to re-learn how to start and drive it. KEEP THE FOOT OFF the gas pedal when turning the key to start the car. And......there's no need to blip the throttle anymore before taking off from a dead stop.....except it sounds way cool to do so.

February 5, 2007

No drive today, it's in the single digits so I think I'll stay inside. John emailed me a new program to flash to the ECM chip. Basically, my data log showed him that the car was a little on the rich side at idle and lean on the high end at 3000 RPM and up. He adjusted the VE tables to get the calibration smoother. The O2 sensor was correcting the mixture but it runs smoother when the O2 sensor doesn't correct anything. Now this is way cool....no need to fiddle with mixture settings on the carbs.....no more hoping you've adjusted them the same....no more....messing it up with your own incompetence.!

So I pulled the chip from the ECM and flashed the chip to the new profile. The directions and pictures are at the "Flashing a Chip" link. Maybe I'll take it for a ride tomorrow and see if I notice any difference.

Flashing a Chip.........