I've been hearing alot about getting rid of the computer in my 81 vette. Now I know that it was the first year to even have one so I'm thinking that it probably wouldn't be a very daunting task to remove. But I really have no idea on what that intails. For one I don't even know where it is located and if it was to be removed what would have to be done to the engine there after. Also what would be the advantages performance wise to doing such a thing.

 

i get burnt on here all the time by the folks who like the computer and its capabilities in an 81 as i removed mine long ago.if its all in good order and working the way it was designed then its fine but i didnt want that. i wanted my own choice of carb, my own choice of distributor and a different gearbox so the ccc had to go.
the computer is behind your seat in the storage box . from it comes a massive bundle of wires that go all the way to the engine bay and spread throughout the vast array of connections. its not hard to trace them and take them away but you will need some knowledge .
last on the list is your new shopping list..carb,dizzy and your preferance to how you would like to make use of your loc up converter or loose it all together.

 

The '81 ECU is also connected to an '81-only distributor and '81-only carb [with an internal electronic fuel mixture control], an O2 sensor in the exhaust and several other sensors (temp, etc.) that feed the ECU info on the engine operating conditions. You can pull it all off and replace it...but the question is "Why?" If you want to go with strictly a performance setup, that makes sense; but if you want good all-around engine operation and better-than-normal fuel mileage, you probably should learn more about the control system you have and get it working in good order. That would be a lot less expensive than changing out carb, distributor, heads, cam, yada..yada..

 

+1 on leaving the CCC system in place. I would spend the first mod $$ on exhaust, heads and a cam. The exhaust and heads are the big horsepower restrictions on that engine. A better cam will get you some more power, but you would still need exhaust to take advantage of it, same with the heads.
Timing advance is electronic on the 81 only dizzy as stated above. The carb is a Rochester 750, a pretty good carb for HP and it will support a lot of mods.
So, in short I think its a pretty decent system, all you need to do it make sure its all working and there are not all that many parts.

 

Here we go again with your fuel mileage assertion!!! Everytime I call you on it you ignore me and repost it again. I will say this for the OP's benefit, thats CRAP! MIne is as good as new and better than before I pulled the computer and replaced the parts. End of story since 71 Vette won't give his reasoning. AND I spent a total of about 200 bucks on the swap and she runs like a champ! With very good mileage. And need to swap heads and cam....sheeesh I wasn't even going to chime in on thisd thread since I think the CCC is fine but not for me and what I wanted, but I at least stick to the facts.

 

Let's see ... I present my 'opinion' and you claim it's bulls..+ because 'you say so'. But, you present your 'opinion' [without any data, of course] and that makes you right? Mind if I don't buy that one. I don't have to present data for you or anyone else. You have a right to believe what you want--and say what you want. And so do I. Get a life.

 

Wow!!!!! very touchy subject.
First off i would like to say welcome Ray75944. We like pictures so post one of your car.
I too have an 81. so far the only mods i have done have been exhaust true duals, different gear in the diff went to 3:54 (more fun when you step on it). I have been on the fence for a long time about wether to keep the CCC or not. I guess the biggest and best question you have to ask yourself is what are your intentions for the car. Is it to do some drag racing???? or just to cruise around town. Does the CCC system work?
The decide what you what to do. Mine CCC works fine but i am to the point where i need more power so will probably be doing a cam and head swap during the winter, as well as a trans change to r200.

 

OK, as far as my data, I own one, every statement I have EVER made has been substantiated by me in my car I have never stated anything other than that. You on the other hand make your statements based on what? You just don't like being called on it. I will listen to guys who have been there done that way before someonone who just throws out things with no reason. I will refrain from the little icons.

 

You have experience with your car. Maybe we should hear from a few other '81 owners who have operational CCC systems to see what they get for mileage, smoothness of idle, consistency of idle speed, ease of engine warm-ups, yada, yada, yada. You know, all the reasons why computer assisted control systems were invented and why ALL modern cars use them. {Like I need lots of 'personal experience' to know that???}

 

my experience of driving an 81 car with a working ccc for 3 years was not enjoyable. what really drove me up the wall was the untidy look of it all....so many wires. performance wise it was a headache, there is only so much you can do to a 81 whilst keeping all of its matching components including the week link - the loc up converter in the TH350. i have never heard of anyone putting any decent power through the TH350C without it grenading.

my other whinge is i had troubles with it running fine one moment then going rich and then running rough. i dont have time to be looking at engine error codes and going out buying 02 sensors etc. ....i want to set my timing myself, advance it and retard it myself, run as much mechanical advance as i want and loc my timing if i want. i want to be able to set my carb floats and adjust my mixtures and idle how i like it . ....i could not do all of this with the ccc and its 2 best mates in crime- the carb and dizzy.
fuel economy was never great anyway before so if i wanted that in car i would go buy a little toyota .

so out it came and i have been leaving two big black lines and copious amounts of white smoke ever since.

 

Nice ride there, gingerbreadman1977.
Looks like your steering wheel is on the right side, but the brake booster is still on the left. How's that working out for you?

These things are very primitive auto computers - is it that unbelievable that a few are tuned perfectly and some wouldn't work correctly even after exhausting all possiblities?

 

Hopefully Without escalating this further or making it personal, let me just say this. The "reasoning" behind anything is whatever "drives" the situation. In this instance, the "driver" or force behind computers in cars was emissions and the EPA. The car being an 81 that was completely the focus nothing else. As the industry evolved the computer became more useful in functionality and became an integral part of the function of the engine enhancing all the things you mentioned. Until just recently motorcycles were still running carbs. Why? Because the EPA mandates are just now effecting them and they ran very very well. I have nothing against any computer in any car, and I will only suggest if one guy can tune a car to run properly without the the computer, and one guy can tune one with then both are right, no need for a plethera of opinions here. The fact is the 81 CCC is an infant in the computer controlled car world and was so successful in what it did it lasted 1 year. All I ever did was ask why you seem to jump in every converstion about 81's? I read everything I could lay my hands on before I pulled the computer, manuals, posts on different forums, emailed guys, and deduced it was not worth the effort and looked like crap. As time has went on the computer has progressed or morphed into a system that allows certain engine characteristics to exist that could not without it. They monitor and adjust at such high speeds that no accelerator circuit or distributor could ever achieve. The modern engine is designed along with the computer integration in mind, not added on after the fact like the early models, where they took a decades old engine design and cobbled on a computer system to satisfy Washington. Yes the new systems are awesome, but the 81 CCC is not in that league, to the contrary, it is a finicky thing that works very well when everything is perfect, not very forgiving and can be hard to troubleshoot. Opinion? possibly, but rooted in fact. Have a great day, I'm done on this one.

 

Still waiting to hear from other '81 owners with operational CCC systems.

{By the way, 81pilot, after reading your posts in other threads it is clear that your CCC system never worked correctly so you stripped it off as soon as you could. So exactly how do YOU know how an operational CCC system works? It is also clear from your other comments that you have a personal bias against computer assisted systems and much prefer standard carb/distributor engine systems. That's just fine...but why would you advise others of the "lousy" '81 CCC system when you have no useful knowledge of it yourself?}

 

With every post you get closer and closer to understanding my point. I have NO bias as I have stated against computers, they are great. I never said anything other than my experience(OPINION). And please point out my calling the system lousy or even trying to advise someone against it? All I ever tried to say is that this particular unit is no better than a well tuned non computer car... If it works thats fine. I just stated my opinion...And I have PLENTY.... read a TON .....of knowledge of good and bad computer systems in the literal thousands of engine systems I have either built or had a hand in working on, some in the same era as this one in trucks and other GM products, dude you are delusional, get the last word (again) if you want, I won't respond to you anymore. I am sure the forum is tired of this unrequited bantor...Sheeesh!

 

Ok then....
I have 2 81 cars. One auto 1 4spd. I did give the CCC a chance but could not get the performance I needed. If it was MPG I was after I would have bought a Yugo

These are performance car... I like to drive them without stumble or hessitation. Both my cars are California cars with all the smog stuff on them. The first thing I did was pull all that off.
Benifits: More HP, less weight, less hassels. Like said above it was my choice of what I wanted to add as far as bolt-ons.
I think some of you are forgetting or just dont know that 81 was one of the lowest HP motors they came out with. Chevy put most of the attention into comfort and styling that year. Not to mention they were closing out C-3 in 82.

Bud it's your car do what you can afford and drive it. I don't know to many guys that own 81's that still have that hooked up.

 

PS.... if you need a step by step on how and what to remove, let me know. If you need some CCC parts I can hook you up.

FYI. if you do remove it you will need a carb, HEI distr, and I would add an intake while you are under the hood.....headers, exhuast,MSD, air cleaner, ect...... Also unless you change out the trans or modifie it, the trans will not got to full lockup,

Good news is that the CCC is a stand alone system and all of it can be removed with a little time.

 

How tough would it be to put it back if it became necessary? I'm saving my original engine - complete - and will add this to the crate of stored stuff...

 

As easy as it was to take it out
The hardest part was removing the wiring from the consol area. had to pull the drivers seat and that kind of thing. Nothing but time I guess. if thats your plan just tag everything and box it up. Like I said, you can find alot of those part on the forum. Hell I have 2 ccc and 2 carbs still plus the harness.
If the cars plans are to remain OEM fix it. if you are building a street car yard it all off and go for the HP.