A New Formula In Our Stall

[Raydar]

Interesting...
I can't read the part number of the ECM, but it looks like the last number is a 7. The others... ?
Looking at Tunercat, I came up with a bunch of ECMs that end in "7". But only one that appears like it could be a match. 16183247. Actually sort of looks like the part number on the label.
With that as the best guess, I came up with the following...

16183247   
95 Buick / Pontiac L36, 3800, V6

16183247   
94 - 95 Buick / Pontiac L27, 3800, V6

16183247 or 16197428   
94 - 95 Buick / Pontiac L67, 3800, Supercharged

All of these would seem to indicate that the car houses a 3800, series 1, of some sort. Possibly supercharged.

Here's a "flipped" pic of the ECM. See if it looks like what I said, or see if you can come up with an alternative.
(You can most likely do a "save as" and then reopen it in Windows Photo Viewer. it will allow you to expand it.)

[Fierofool]

You're correct on your first set of numbers.  Enlarged on my tablet, it's clear.  The code on the right looks like N80W or NB?W if that helps.  That would support my suspicions that there's a 3800 in it.

[Raydar]

I'll have to poke around and see if I can find a broadcast code that looks like that.
I'm about to go to work, so it will be later.

[Fierofool]

Pat, when you get home see what the broadcast code is.  No need to guess.  Would the other numbers be a VIN number from the donor? 

[TopNotch]

I didn't get a chance to look at the new Formula this evening, but I do have this, from the original un-shrunk picture:

[Fierofool]

I can see, written in blue ball point ink, 95 Buick.  I believe we could learn a lot from this car.  Copycat for 3800 swaps?  It may even have an upgraded 4T60 trans in it. 

[Raydar]

BNUW appears to belong to a 1995 Park Avenue with a 2.84 final drive. (F17 RPO for the trans.)
That's all I can find.

http://workshop-manuals.com/buick/park_avenue/v6-3.8l_vin_k/powertrain_management/prom_programmable_read_only_memory/component_information/technical_service_bulletins/all_technical_service_bulletins_for_prom_programmable_read_only_memory/recall_stall_on_deceleration/general_information/page_7740/

[Fierofool]

Would that transmission be non-electronic?

[Raydar]

Would that transmission be non-electronic?

Doubtful. By the early 90s, most everything was electronic.
I'll poke around and see if I can find anything different.

[Fierofool]

Searching found that this probably is a 4T60E transmission. 

4T60-E

    1994-1999 Buick Century
    1992-1997 Buick LeSabre 3800 V6, L27
    1991-1996 Buick Park Avenue V6 3.8 L

It began in 1991 and was phased out in 1997 in favor of the 4T65 with the 4T60E-HD being produced only in 1996 for use with the 3800 SC.  Apparently there is a good selection of stall speed programs in this trans.  Wikipedia gives an example of this transmission in a 95 Beretta would have a stall speed of 1650 rpm but the Park Avenue stall speed would be 2095 rpm.  Assuming that's a programming change rather than a parts change within the transmission.  There were as many as 12 gearing ratios for this trans, depending upon car and motor combination. 

[Fierofool]

After the meeting, Pat and I did a little cleaning on the front end of the car.  a little Jomax housewash sprayed on with a pump sprayer then scrubbed with a hemp whitewall (who has whitewalls any more) tire brush, the hood and nose cleaned up very well.  The hood has a lot of blisters that have broken loose, but I have a very good white 87GT hood in my utility building.  The 88 white was differet than all other years but I think a little different white would look better than a flaked out hood. 

Pat also discovered that his security lug wrench from his 88 Duke will fit the lugs on the Formula.  I also have one from the Fastback Formula and one from the Lil Duke Coupe.  All 3 are the same pattern.  Neither of the Gorilla Grabber Sockets would remove the lugs. 

Members present voted to hire a locksmith to open the trunk and board members present approved spending more than the authorized $50.  We decided that the ignition switch could be removed and replaced for less than $50 and that task may be done at a Tech Day.

[GTRS Fiero]

I can't wait to see pics of the engine bay.  Sorry my gorilla grabber idea didn't work.  I've been using them on axle nuts.

[Fierofool]

It could be because the security lugs are round with small recesses as opposed to being hexagonal.  The smaller one wouldn't fit over the lug.  I think Pat said the larger one wouldn't go into the recess of the wheel.  Guess we can put it in the loaner tool shed. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Does your grabber have a plastic center, or the metal rods throughout?  I saw some with plastic centers.

[Fierofool]

I don't know.  Pat's online, maybe he'll drop in and answer.