n00b here, tony-baroni, looking to learn about Chevy TBI

[tony-baroni]

Hi
I recently purchased a Chevy van, 1995. It's got a 350 TBI, the 2nd motor in it, and it needs work. I'm looking to replace it was a slightly tuned 350, and hope with some PCM mods, using tunerpro, to be able to improve power, torque, driveability and mileage.

I hope this site has well presented information to help me teach myself about how to work the EFI system, and ideally be able to test various configs without having to rely on someone else.

thanks for hosting,
tony

[dave w]

TunerPro RT is an excellent tool for tuning the TBI.

dave w

[tony-baroni]

Thanks Dave

All,
I've done some reading here and on tunerpro's website. Most of it appears to be pretty advanced (writing bin files, etc).

What I'd like to start with, is to learn how to attach a ALDL cable and view diagnostics on tunerpro V5 with my vehicle. Do I need special files (Bin's, etc.) to simply view the diagnostics while the vehicle is running? Or Can I simply plug it in and run the engine?

The first things I'd like to gather intel on are:
1. Confirm if my EGR works (it's TB vacuum port is clogged so I would like to learn what that looks like in diagnostics)
2. Test for a clogged exhaust system (need a tach to hold steady RPM's while vacuum gage is hooked up)
3. See if there is any indication in diagnostics about low compression in one of my cylinders (wet and dry, very low in one cylinder)

If anyone can point me to the first timer articles I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
Anthony

[tony-baroni]

I discovered a good help section in tunerpro, so I'm starting in there tonight. It appears I need tunerpro RT to display data while running the vehicle, so I've added that version of the program.

It also appears I need more than a .bin file. So I've started that search. So far I have not found what I need.

I have a 1995 Chevy G30 (1 ton, heavy duty) Van, with a 5.7L, 4L80-E Tranny, and 4.10 rear end CA vehicle. It has ECM ​16197427.

Masks listed on tunerpro site:

• $31 (95 Van/Truck 5.7L)
• $0E (94 5.7L Heavy Duty Van/Truck)
• $0D (94-95 C/K Truck w/ various engine sizes, including 5.7L, with my ECM).
• $99 (92-95 trucks w/ TBI & 4L8161974270-E tranny, but the ECM doesn’t match mine)

Which one to use? they're also listed as not verified, and could be damaging for the vehicle to run in emulation mode, however I'm just trying to diagnose at this stage, so I wouldn't think there would be much risk, other than bad data being displayed.

On this forum,
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/Fuel-Inj...Information-0D
there's a thread with quite a few of these files, however I don't see one for my application, and there are many acronyms that I am unfamiliar with used to describe the files.

Could you help me to find and determine which files to load?

[dave w]

We should be able to figure the files you need, if you can post the Broadcast Code (BCC) of your chip. The BCC is a 4 letter code, usually starts with "B", for example "BJLA". You posted you have a 4L80E, that leaves $OE or $31 as the only options.

dave w

[tony-baroni]

Thanks Dave

From a picture I have of the ECM, there is a label on it (where I found the serial #), behind that is a four letter code, and it appears to be BNKM.

I'll start an online search.

How does one tell that $oE is for 4L80E vs $OD?

My cable manufacturer gave me some tips, and I've been going through tunerpro RT help. They indicated I needed to load two files, which I did. The help section lists three files, so I think I am still short the .bin file.
I also configured the cable (test in tunerpro indicates it is good). But it's not showing data when I connect it to the vehicle.
tony