Hey guys, on an '82,

1.) can you swap the intake to an 79 -81 etc. w/o computer and remove the computer? or does computer control more?

The idea is to possibly get rid of the computer.

Any other issues to rekon with on an '82?

Are you guys getting a new upgraded computer/module to provide a better tune?

Thanks in advance!

tt

 

Just remove everything you DON'T want the computer to control... There's more than just the CFI that the computer controls...

Are you just trying to put a carburator on there? Whats your ulimate goal?

BTW, I switched to carburator on my 82, and for some reason this dang "Check engine" light has been on for months

 

The computer controls a lot of stuff, Check Engine light, TCC Lockup, timing, fuel injectors..
To do all that, it ,moitors Vacuum, rpm, speed, barometric pressure, O2 sensor, etc...
So, if your going to do this it requires a lot more than removing the puer and slapping on a carb to get it to act right.

 

You can pull the computor fuse and I think the light might go out. If you still electric spark advance control than the computor controls this.

 

Got hooked on an '82 here local, it's realing me in I have heard that the '82 can be stubborn to keep tuned and running well so was inquiring to how much of a problem it may be to yank the puter and possible change out to carb or swap engine all together.

So, I guess I am approadching the question the wrong way, as usual, yes, have been told best thing may be to just add a carb and foget the cross fire injection, that would be the goal. So maybe leave the computer......I am assuming this is whay you did.

And guys, thanks for the quick response, wow!

tt

 

My 80 had the computer since it started life as a California car. Now that Im not a resident of the sunshine state, I saw no need for it. I run the Edelbrock 1406 carb and have had No issues at all with the PITA computer and it's check engine light blasting in my face. I also have the GM crate 350 installed that replaced my stock 305/180 hp.. The car is so much more fun to drive and can actually spin the tires when you take off! Unless you are in an area that still requires an anual smog check on your year Vette, I would pull the computer and start to enjoy your car!

 

I have an 82 that has a 350 and an Edelbrock carb, it has had some adjustments in the wiring in places. It runs great and has no computer. I bought it that way and the Vette kicks it just fine.

llspike

 

one thing that snuck up on me is the fuel pump. as you must know by now there is a parallel system for power to the pump. first, the igniton sets a timer. once there is oil pressure this timer loop opens and only if you lose oil pressure will power to the pump go out. however, if you kill power to the computer it kills the fuel pump. i wired mine directly to the battery via a relay off the ignition hot.

 

Thanks guys, just what I needed to hear!

Guess I better clean up another spot in the garage for another one!

terry

 

Ditch the electric fuel pump and put a mech pump on the motor.. easy fix to eliminate the puter

 

i would have ditched the ele fuel pump and will do so when it finally dies. until then it was much less work to just run a wire.

 

I swiched over to carb on a camaro one time and went with a mech fuel pump and had to change cams because there was no lobe on the cam for the fuel pump.

 

Yes, the old 5550 ECM the 82 came was very early in the computer control era. A very popular upgrade is the 7747 ECM (30 to $50 ebay) out of late 80's trucks which is more tunable. Some like the 8746 with the air temp compensation. Both require a harness adapter which is available which makes it easy to reverse and go back to stock. Or for serious tuneablity go the EBL route. EBL (came out about a year ago) is an upgrade circuit board to the 7747 or 8746 that is designed for tuning and mods even has options for turbo charging and nitrous.

But don't blame the computer for a crappy tune, out of balance, bad AFR due to vacuum leaks, or just a bad sensor.

Is the problem just age and the engine/induction needs work, or are you looking for far more hp than you think the CFI can deliver? If you're looking for drivability a well tuned CFI is quite nice. If its power; Just like any smog era motor (even carb) its not just the induction system. There are issues with the low flow heads, wimpy cam, restrictive exhaust, etc. The CFI can be modified to put out more power its all about making the parts and mods work together. Just don't expect to find the parts at Pep Boys X-rams, SY-1s, and crossram Offys won't be sitting on their shelves. Personally I'm going towards a 383 with bored throttle bodies and an alternate intake. And for what it's worth that will be running an EBL 7747.

You owe it to yourself to compare the options and decide what’s right for you. A lot of people on this forum love carbs and hate computers, I don't have any problem with either. Add up the costs of the swap versus rebuild/modify the crossfire. If you decide to yank the CFI go over to the crossfire forum, some of the guys may want some of those parts. If you want even more tune advice thridgen has a lot of tuning info and even a beginners guide.



CrossFire Forum
ThirdGen


P.S. The 82 distributor is also computer controlled you will need a different distributor.

 

Thanks!

tt

 

Ok. First of all if you don't want the crossfire, then don't buy the 82. Buy an 80 or an 81 if its the style your after. Second when the crossfire is properly tuned it is a good smooth running system. The stock ECM can not handle mods very well. The stock 82 is becoming a rare bird due to people yanking the stock fuel intake system and either replacing with TPI or a carb. If you want gut wrenching horsepower and performance, buy a differant year model that is easier to modify. Personally I don't care about ripping the asphalt up, I like cruising in a fantastic looking car and that is what the 82 was designed for.

 

Just curious about the "possible" issues with the crossfire system. Thanks to you guys my fear is gone. And I do not want to mod the car, just have another cruiser. The car in question has not been molested in any way and is 100% stock. I've got the C5 and all it's goodies for all the Gut Wrenching, go out and get in trouble kinda fun. Not really, I have graciously been given the opportunity to reach an age and wonder how I made it this far, and now slowing down and enjoying life

Thanks for all the help!!

tt

 

I say keep the '82 stock. As stated above, "the problem" with the cross-fire system goes way beyond the fuel delivery set-up: heads/cam ect. The crossfire is a nice cruiser with good low end torque for the era but the car is a limited platform.

I recently went through a nightmare of tracking down a bad, intermitent idle problem on my '82. I tried to fix it as a fuel problem, then a sensor problem, then an elec problem...replaced a hand full of sensors but it turned out to be a vaccum leak at the plenum to manifold due to a bad gasket...$25 fix. It gave me an excuse to really clean the top end of the motor up!

BTW, where are you "Lost" at in Alabama.

 

I was not recomending mod'ing a prestine 82. Keep it stock and maintained, or sell it to someone who will. Although, if you are going to mod, there are alternatives there are some different routes. If you've got a prestine 82 and you want to keep it for crusing, I agree, don't go moding the hell out of it (swap to carb, strip the emissions). Just fix what is wrong and it'll run nicely. The Crossfire has a few unique issue, bit is mostly a sandard GM TBI system, although an early version at that. Get the GM manual, ASM, and check out the info on this and the other forums. The computer is rarely the problem. These cars are nearly a quarter century old, GM didn't build them for that. They need a TLC.

2Tone - I know what that's like. The crossfire is particularly sensitive to vacuum leaks. And as if the C3 doen't have enough sources for vacuum to leak the lid onthe crossfire intake is another. One good backfire up through the plenum and the gasket is in question. I presently am tracking down several vac leaks, most have been isolated.

As well as the here, The Crossfire forum, Thirdgen here's another bit of info that's been posted before, in case some of you guys haven't seen it.

http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...system_tuning/

 

Maylene, Alabaster, Montevallo area. About 30 mi south of Birmingham. I see you guys are near Huntsville, ya'll will have to hook up with us sometime.

http://midalcorvette.com/

THanks for the input!

terry

 

were is the ECM located on a 82??