Although this isn’t a cool new shiny sexy part, these are parts that are needed if you want your Turbo Buick to continue to cruise on down the road (or go fast on track day or in “Mexico”).
Since the start of 1984 and into when the 1985 Buick Grand Nationals (or other turbocharged Buick Regals) were first produced, over the years many different ECM chips have been created, by quite a few different manufacturers.
The popularity of the intercooled 1986 & 1987 Buick Grand National & assorted other Turbo Regal models supplied even more go-faster applications for the computer.
The original EPROM chip works perfectly fine for stock scenarios, but when your desire for more speed and performance comes into play, it’s usually necessary to upgrade the ECM chip.
All of the actual chips are wedged into (black colored) protective carriers, which are then inserted into the ECM slot to be functional. The pins on each side of the chip correspond to matching pins within the ECM slot.
Most of the aftermarket performance computer chips were made from original stock type chips that were overwritten with new information placed onto them (AKA performance setting enhancements for more octane, timing degrees and boost).
Today we are looking at everything from the stock chips to other vintage PROM chips. These are not all inclusive from all of the different companies that made them, but a peek at some of the more popular versions (especially if you wanted more power).
All of these were great back in the day, but in the modern world, most turbocharged Buick Regal owners have upgraded to (mostly) TurboTweak chips for the best outcome out of that little V6 3.8 liter (231 CID) Buick engine.
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Here is an original DELCO supplied chip from a 1987 Buick Grand National, with calibration code ACXA and a code of 0942. The backside of the chip reveals more codes, JT8(G)AF18/P. See it below:
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This is a chip marked as BBKJ and 9464. It is believed to be a 1987 Buick GN Emission Recall Chip. The bottom side is blank.
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From ATR (Applied Technologies & Research), “Strip Chip,” a memory chip module marked HP138TX-530SD. Dated 1991.
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From Conley’s Performance Plus, a chip marked as the MAG-IV.
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A Red Armstrong / Quad Air product: R107 108 Octane Chip. Other marks on chip: 6, 6 H 1.
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Another Red Armstrong / Quad Air product, the Thrasher K1 108 Octane ECM Chip.
On reverse: version K1, octane 108, injectors stock. also markings for STUT THEFT & TCC, which are all stated as no.
The included documentation references Red Armstrong, Quad Air Inc., and tuning information for Buick Grand National / Turbo Regal applications including 93, 100, and 108 octane calibrations. It was to be used with 93+ octane gas, and 19+ lbs of boost.
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A different version Thrasher ECM chip.
Label indicates K2 calibration, octane 92, stock injector calibration, 2200 RPM stutter/valet feature, anti-theft enabled, and TCC disabled.
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