EPROMS Deteriorate?

[tf95ZR1]

On the Corvette Central website I saw an ad for C4 EPROMS/MEMCALS.
I took a look. They said:

"* Originally not designed to last over 5 years, as a result Corvettes equiped (sp) with eproms
need to be replaced or flashed every 5 years to maintain peek (sp) performance.
* Eproms are newly reflashed OEM parts. The software contains the latest upgrades
that are available including running changes.
Most GM ECMs used until 1995 have an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)
that stores data about the C4 Corvette engine it controls and does not lose its content when
the power supply is cut off. EPROMs also contain information specific to the transmission
and the car. The EPROM is often referred to as the "chip". The chip is sometimes located in
a removable carrier called a MemCal or Calpack. These are rebuilt factory prom chips that
include the memcal. Programmed with the most up to date program that was released from GM.
An $80.00 core charge is added and will be refunded when the original prom/memcal is returned."

I have never heard of replacing EPROMs every 5 years. What say you?

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Ted,

This is the first I am hearing about this 5 year expiration. They can?t be that desperate to try to get people to buy new EPROMs every 5 years?


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[Matt B]

Also for me This is the first time I hear that.

However, a few years ago I had the transmission fluid of one of my Audis changed by the transmission manufacturer. They also said they would erase (or better: reset) the control unit so that the transmission can "learn" all parameters of my driving from the scratch, thereby removing anything that's potentially hindering the overall transmission performance.

Long story short: the effect was very well noticeable, shifts were mainly smoother and better timed than before.
Maybe there's something similar related to the chip, so that it accumulates more and more information that hamper performance?
Just a theory, though...

Sent from my SM-G991B using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by Matt B

Also for me This is the first time I hear that.

However, a few years ago I had the transmission fluid of one of my Audis changed by the transmission manufacturer. They also said they would erase (or better: reset) the control unit so that the transmission can "learn" all parameters of my driving from the scratch, thereby removing anything that's potentially hindering the overall transmission performance.

Long story short: the effect was very well noticeable, shifts were mainly smoother and better timed than before.
Maybe there's something similar related to the chip, so that it accumulates more and more information that hamper performance?
Just a theory, though...

Sent from my SM-G991B using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Erasing the parameters to allow the car to relearn is one thing and I agree with that.. on our cars disconnect the battery for 10min and then the car can relearn.

As for the EPROM needing to be reflashed every 5 years is kind of funny. I would say it is marketing at its finest.

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Erasing the parameters to allow the car to relearn is one thing and I agree with that.. on our cars disconnect the battery for 10min and then the car can relearn.

As for the EPROM needing to be reflashed every 5 years is kind of funny. I would say it is marketing at its finest.

I have an MS in Marketing. Reflashing an EPROM every 5 years is not marketing of any kind. Its plain BS. The process of erasing and re-burning the 2732 chips was such a PITA and I still have the equipment and software to do it. 🤣😂

[dredgeguy]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Erasing the parameters to allow the car to relearn is one thing and I agree with that.. on our cars disconnect the battery for 10min and then the car can relearn.

As for the EPROM needing to be reflashed every 5 years is kind of funny. I would say it is marketing at its finest.

This makes me feel much better.....the 4 Wazoo cars on display at the Washington DC Car Show all have the batteries disconnected per convention center rules. We moved our cars in Jan. 19 and the show ends this Sunday the 30th.

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by dredgeguy

This makes me feel much better.....the 4 Wazoo cars on display at the Washington DC Car Show all have the batteries disconnected per convention center rules. We moved our cars in Jan. 19 and the show ends this Sunday the 30th.

Please get and post some pictures of the displays for your cars at the show

[dredgeguy]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Please get and post some pictures of the displays for your cars at the show

Here you go. Move out date is this Sunday and we are expecting snow starting tonight and tomorrow. Might be an interesting ride home from DC!

They had the new 2023 ZO6 convertible on display as well as many exotics.

[Great White]

Yeah this sounds like BS marketing. I know it's not a ZR-1, but I've got an '87 Mazda RX-7 ECU with over 230k miles on it that still works like it was new.