I just went to a local junkyard, and thy had a 7730 ecm on the shelf and wanted $35 for it. My first question is, is this a reasonable price? My next question is, I have a 2.8 basically stock, opened up exhaust, opened up intake, and logs. Possibly a mild cam and a manufactured block so it is bored .40 over. Now would the 7730 swap be a good idea for me, and if so what improvements would it make? The junkyard did not have the knock sensor or digital egr, but I planned on deleting egr since the computer would have to be tuned anyway. Is the knock sensor a must have?

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Matt

2002 5.4 Ford F-150 SuperCrew
1986 2.8 Pontiac Fiero 4-Speed

Build Thread
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/111183.html

I forgot to mention, emissions tests aren't required for me so deleting the egr isn't going to make me fail a smog test.

The 7730 ECU swap is always a good idea. It is a very versatile computer that is easy to tune. You will not get much performance benefit but the car will run better and be more drivable. You can also run DIS which is more reliable. If you enable lean cruise mode you might even pick up a few extra MPG's on the highway.

There is no downside to running a 7730, go for it!

I don't think the knock sensor is absolutely necessary. You'll need to have the 7730 computer re-tuned to run the Fiero engine. And there should be an option in the tuning program to disable the knock snsor. But I would suggest using a knock sensor, just to be safe. If you can't find a knock sensor in the salvage yard, they are available in auto parts stores.

The price doesn't seem unreasonable, assuming the ECM comes with the Memcal chip.

I will make sure I get the knock sensor, but what is the memcal?

theres a little cover on top the ECM with 2 screws. remove that and you will see the memcal. it has a blue cover and clips on both sides to remove it

the memcal contains the chip that has the tune on it, and the knock sensor circuit

keep in mind you have to use a knock sensor that matches the knock sensor circuit in the memcal.. so you kinda need to know what car the ECM originally came from, or at least what engine it had

[This message has been edited by scott0999 (edited 02-15-2011).]

The Memcal is the chip with the blue plastic cover that plugs into the ECM. See photo below.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 02-15-2011).]

I called the junkyard and he said it hasn't been taken apart so whatever factory chip was in it is still in it now. He also said it was in a cutlass. Can't remember the year and model he told me but if i go pick it up I will ask again and write it down.

cutlass most likely had the 3.1, but see if you can find for sure

I will. He said he had that one and one in a 92 camaro, but the one from the class is pulled. I am going to see if I can get the pigtails from the camaro though so I have something to go off of when repinning it.

The knock sensor setup has been nothing but a pain. Finally I had Darth disable it in a chip and my motor runs great. I know I have an issue with one cylinder but I don't need a knock sensor to tell me that.

Personally, unless you want to run DIS or digital cruise, your stock Fiero ECM is fine for your pretty much stock motor. The swap isn't directly about performance but manageability. It's only about performance when you want to run a turbo which the stock Fiero ECM isn't good for. Then you'd need a knock sensor.

quote Originally posted by lou_dias: The knock sensor setup has been nothing but a pain. Finally I had Darth disable it in a chip and my motor runs great. I know I have an issue with one cylinder but I don't need a knock sensor to tell me that. Personally, unless you want to run DIS or digital cruise, your stock Fiero ECM is fine for your pretty much stock motor. The swap isn't directly about performance but manageability. It's only about performance when you want to run a turbo which the stock Fiero ECM isn't good for. Then you'd need a knock sensor.

yup.
the 7730 swap is more for easier & better tuneability than anything
tho - for stock motors, there are slight improvements.
mostly all at idle tho: better cold idle & less hunting normal idle
switching up to the digital EGR does offer improvements over a less than ideal vacuum EGR
the original 7730 swap thread has a good list of items

Well I planned to get my ecm tuned anyway if I kept my ecm. I would see a little performance gain there, and could adjust my idle a little that way also couldn't I? And u was going to delete the egr program on my computer so I could delete the egr as well.

quote Originally posted by 86FIFI: Well I planned to get my ecm tuned anyway if I kept my ecm. I would see a little performance gain there, and could adjust my idle a little that way also couldn't I? And u was going to delete the egr program on my computer so I could delete the egr as well.

Yes, all that can be done to the stock ECM. I ran no EGR with a DarthFiero chip and 800rpm idle on the stock ECM before going '7730. I was also using the 88 alternator on my 87...this way I have less charging problems below 1000rpm.

So I should stick with stock and just tune my stock computer is what Ian getting out of what everyone is saying.

Also, does darth fiero tune the stock ecms, and is he my best bet for a good tune?

I personally wouldnt bother.. the stock computer is already tuned, your not going to get much more out of it. those little mods never really satisfy.

So even though I open up the logs, took the catalytic converter out, put in a free flowing muffler, and got a much more open intake, a tune would not yield any performance gains? And while I was at it I planned on removing egr and lowering my idle.

quote Originally posted by 86FIFI: So even though I open up the logs, took the catalytic converter out, put in a free flowing muffler, and got a much more open intake, a tune would not yield any performance gains? And while I was at it I planned on removing egr and lowering my idle.

If anything, I would block off and get the EGR disabled. You've improved your efficiency but not out of the range of the stock tuning. If you want to switch to a CS alternator for a lower idle then I'd get a chip to disable the EGR and lower the idle and mention your mods.

If a '7730 swap improved anyone's driveability or idle quality, then there was something wrong beforehand that got discovered and fixed in the process of swapping. Your Fiero will idle just fine if everything else is in proper condition.

You probably went from dynoing 115 to about 127. You know you need a tune when you do a dyno run and your A/F ratio is too high (or way too low) in a certain rpm range...

I also believe I have a mild cam if that has anything to do with the situation. Just want everyone to know what they are working with.

I would do the 7730 swap, that would be worth it. but not tune the stock 2.8 computer (whatever the ECM number is, I dont make it a point to remember that old thing)

Ok Ive been reading up on your build thread and the questions you have regarding the swap to the 7730. From the looks of what youre wanting, you could honestly go either way. The big question here is what are you plans in the end for the car? If youre planning on a turbo or even just a nice clean build up on the engine, a 7730 IS the best option. The refresh rate on the 7730 is at MINIMUM 5x faster than the stock ECM. This makes for smoother idle, better throttle response and all around better drivability. Ive seen gains of one or two MPG on swaps Ive done. The tuning for the 7730 is SUPERIOR to the 7727 or any of the Fiero V6 ECMs. More table to tune and make changes to, obviously having a knock sensor is a BIG plus. The ECM can run a more aggressive timing table which in turn gives you more off the line power and a better and more confident feeling acceleration. Ive NEVER run into an issue with a knock sensor being the problem with a car. It listens for knock and if it hears it, it retards timing. If it picks up knocking in your engine then obviously there is something else not right with the engine mechanically. Ive done 3 of these swaps and thus far been problem free. I have one that is on a car with WILD mods and a stock ECM would never have stood a chance to even get the car to run and idle.

Now if you arent planning on doing any big mods to the engine and its pretty much where it needs to be for you right now, you could get away with tuning the stock ECM and getting some very mild performance gains. You would have to run premium fuel for either ECM if you planned on ANY performance tuning at all. But, bang for your buck, 7730 is the best option. You will get more for your money.