It will NOT be fixed with firmware.  The algo was modified to specifically remove asics from the ETC network.  This would require entirely new chips for the unit.  That dont exist and if they are developed ETC will change again.  This is not a software problem.

You seem to be having trouble accepting that etc does not want asics and will do whatever it takes to make them worthless on ETC.  That is thier actual stance.  They want gpu miners.  Thus why they also rolled back the dag size.