EPROMS Deteriorate? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

tf95ZR1 · 01-26-2022

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 · 01-26-2022

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 · 01-26-2022

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=- · 01-26-2022

Quote:

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.

Great White · 01-26-2022

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.

XfireZ51 · 01-27-2022

Quote:

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 · 01-28-2022

Quote:

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=- · 01-28-2022

Quote:

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 · 01-28-2022

Quote:

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.

GOLDCYLON · 02-01-2022

Snake oil... just like the Desert protection package out her in Arizona. You know mop and glo.

01-26-2022	#1
tf95ZR1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 1,451	EPROMS Deteriorate? 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? __________________ 1995 ZR-1 #106 Blk/ Blk Owned by me since 2000. 93K miles, but not on motor :-) Mods the way I want it, Not afraid to drive it! Last edited by GOLDCYLON; 02-01-2022 at 12:11 AM.

01-26-2022	#2
HAWAIIZR-1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Japan Posts: 3,558	Re: EPROMS Deteriorate? 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 __________________ Craig "ZR-1 NO KA 'OI" "ZR-1 ICHIBAN" 1995 #228 Black/Black with Dunn Heads ZR-1 owner since September 2003 ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #0074 NCM Lifetime Member #2048

01-26-2022	#3
Matt B Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Beautiful Bavaria Posts: 523	Re: EPROMS Deteriorate? 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 __________________ ZR-1 #638/1991

01-26-2022	#5
Great White Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Misery Posts: 79	Re: EPROMS Deteriorate? 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.

02-01-2022	#10
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,154	Re: EPROMS Deteriorate? Snake oil... just like the Desert protection package out her in Arizona. You know mop and glo. __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V