I don't know anything about the chip or its whereabouts. I purchased the vehicle from prior owner who is dead. My mechanic thinks the chip is affecting performance.
Remove the two screws and small cover from the ECM. There you can pull the old eprom chip out ( gently) and plug in a new one that came from Fiero of the same model year with the same engine and transmission. All the so called performance chips for Fieros did was to increase the values on the acceleration enrichment table. They did nothing but decrease gas mileage. This was proven many years ago. The only thing that did increase horsepower on a stock 2.8L engine was porting of the exhaust manifolds.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
The Fiero Store still stocks and sells the Hypertech Street Runner and Hypermaster "performance" Chips $119.95-$137.95 . Joe's comment is correct about the stock GM Chip.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
The HyperTech chip isn't so bad. I had one, and honestly I don't think it really did much. But I had the ThermoMaster chip. It was designed to allow you to use the 160 degree thermostat with proper fuel mappping changes. It also (supposedly) optimized fuel mapping slightly in the mid-rpm. If you do have an aftermarket chip, I'd probably not be too concerned. In the Fiero, I don't think it really improves much at all (at least it was unnoticable to me). It does raise the rev-limiter as well (for what it's worth).
If you're having issues... I actually kind of doubt it's any kind of aftermarket chip. But like others have said... you can't just remove it unless you have something to put back in its place (like the factory one).
Car was idling real high (2000) and when I take off it would stumble. That required me to slowly push in the clutch and accelerate to effectuate takeoff. After driving it would act normal. The car is in the shop and my mechanic replaced the MAP and he said it now idles around 975-1200. He checked all the vacuum lines, and they are good. As soon as he puts the plenum back on, he is going to check drivability. Can't be the clutch as the clutch, slave, flywheel have all been replaced approximately 2 years ago and I drive the car infrequently.
The chips I am familiar with remap the car (spark advance etc.) for 91 octane fuel.
I have a Dinan chip in my 1987 BMW 325i. It caused a small, but perceptible, increase in power.
I am surprised that the Fiero chips don't do this.
When GM developed the stock ECM program they did everything possible to squeeze out 140 HP which at that time was the highest output for the 60* 2.8L V6 engine. Going back to the early years of Fieros, there was a racer by the name of Herb Adams ( a former GM engineer) who did many dyno runs testing various changes to the program. None produced any additional horsepower. The only mod tested that did produce extra power was the porting of the exhaust manifolds and that added a significant 7 horsepower. Herb also wrote some great articles on improving handling and many can still be found online..
When my 85 GT still was running 2.8 I installed the stage 2 Hyperteck chip,160 degree thermostat and lowered fan switch temp. I installed 19 lb Accell injectors. this was a fresh overhaul with flat top psitons and balanced rotating assembly. The package was noticeably quicker than when it was stock. I never dynoed that engine but it was very pleasing to drive. It was a sunny day only car never daily driven but it always started well , idled well and was well behaved in city traffic. I cannot say that for my new version of the car. Not pleasant in city traffic but awesome fun on open road. I would not hesitate to run the stock ecm with the same chip as it was flawless in my GT.
When GM developed the stock ECM program they did everything possible to squeeze out 140 HP which at that time was the highest output for the 60* 2.8L V6 engine. Going back to the early years of Fieros, there was a racer by the name of Herb Adams ( a former GM engineer) who did many dyno runs testing various changes to the program. None produced any additional horsepower. The only mod tested that did produce extra power was the porting of the exhaust manifolds and that added a significant 7 horsepower. Herb also wrote some great articles on improving handling and many can still be found online..
I tried a Hypertech 'power' chip and found very little difference, so I agree with the guys who said that the factory did a good job and don't bother using one, but having said that it probably doesn't do much but maybe use a tad more gas, so you may want to leave it alone.
When I built a stroker engine and added 10 psi of turbo boost I had a completely custom chip that worked really well, but on a stock engine it would be money wasted.
