1988 454 Tow Vehicle ECU Chip Recomendation

Kirk Morgan · 03-26-2015, 07:47 AM

I have been thru that before and it needs to go on a chassis dyno to be done right. I would convert to a carb if it is legal in your state. If no you need to keep your advertised duration below 260. I have installed many Comp 260 cams with performer intakes with good results. I would put in a performance timing chain and gear set and advance the can 2 degrees. Than advance the timing 2 to 4 degrees. These mods were for the TBI engines. Also headers will help.

Kirk

RJ Sledge · 03-26-2015, 11:15 AM

Kirk knows what he is talking about, he is a wealth of information.

I once had a 1988 Truck like yours and it was also down on power, had a cracked intake manifold (too much heat), found out that Edelbrock made a replacement intake for the TBI Combo and it was way cheaper than the GM price. Put a Comp 260 camshaft in it and the Edelbrock intake and it not only ran much better it got a healthy mpg increase. I never did replace the cast iron exhaust manifolds but I did buy a set of the 85-86 Stainless GM factory manifolds just never installed them.

Still have the manifolds if you are interested, complete and $100.00 plus the trip.

Good Luck

RJ Sledge

Rob Petrie E395 · 03-26-2015, 04:29 PM

IF you needing to stay TBI or don't want to switch to a carburetor. I would get a hold of Ed Wright. He is on here a lot as he has a SS car. Not sure if he still does but at one time he did custom chips for older vehicles that did not have the programmable computers that today's vehicles have. If not he probably know who still does them.

03-26-2015, 07:47 AM	#1
Kirk Morgan Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 230 Likes: 1 Liked 81 Times in 45 Posts	Re: 1988 454 Tow Vehicle ECU Chip Recomendation I have been thru that before and it needs to go on a chassis dyno to be done right. I would convert to a carb if it is legal in your state. If no you need to keep your advertised duration below 260. I have installed many Comp 260 cams with performer intakes with good results. I would put in a performance timing chain and gear set and advance the can 2 degrees. Than advance the timing 2 to 4 degrees. These mods were for the TBI engines. Also headers will help. Kirk

03-26-2015, 11:15 AM	#2
RJ Sledge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 792 Likes: 507 Liked 294 Times in 93 Posts	Re: 1988 454 Tow Vehicle ECU Chip Recomendation Kirk knows what he is talking about, he is a wealth of information. I once had a 1988 Truck like yours and it was also down on power, had a cracked intake manifold (too much heat), found out that Edelbrock made a replacement intake for the TBI Combo and it was way cheaper than the GM price. Put a Comp 260 camshaft in it and the Edelbrock intake and it not only ran much better it got a healthy mpg increase. I never did replace the cast iron exhaust manifolds but I did buy a set of the 85-86 Stainless GM factory manifolds just never installed them. Still have the manifolds if you are interested, complete and $100.00 plus the trip. Good Luck RJ Sledge

03-26-2015, 04:29 PM	#3
Rob Petrie E395 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodlawn IL Posts: 1,092 Likes: 162 Liked 216 Times in 77 Posts	Re: 1988 454 Tow Vehicle ECU Chip Recomendation IF you needing to stay TBI or don't want to switch to a carburetor. I would get a hold of Ed Wright. He is on here a lot as he has a SS car. Not sure if he still does but at one time he did custom chips for older vehicles that did not have the programmable computers that today's vehicles have. If not he probably know who still does them.