1981 To CCC or Not CCC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 18
From: Monrovia Md
1981 To CCC or Not CCC
Hello All.
I am new to the forum. I have owned my 1981 Corvette for over 20 years, but I have not driven it in almost 10 (kids!) Well it is time for me to begin to work on it again. The car never ran well, failed emmision test miserably, always ran rich. I always contributed it to the CCC, but never worked out the issues at the time.
My question is should I work through the CCC problems and get system to work correctly or should I just put pre-81 parts on it and get it running without the CCC.
There are two known issues that I think are effecting the CCC, First it does not have a 1981 speedo -- and therefore no speed sensor. This was always the error code the computer issued.
Also -- it has aftermarket headers -- I noticed once upon a time that I could see flames shooting from the center of the header, where all the tubes come together -- seems like there is a hole in welding. I guess that is driving the oxygen sensor nuts, and therefore really effecting the CCC.
Any opinions --thoughts -- are there any threads that talk about removing the CCC from a 1981?
I am new to the forum. I have owned my 1981 Corvette for over 20 years, but I have not driven it in almost 10 (kids!) Well it is time for me to begin to work on it again. The car never ran well, failed emmision test miserably, always ran rich. I always contributed it to the CCC, but never worked out the issues at the time.
My question is should I work through the CCC problems and get system to work correctly or should I just put pre-81 parts on it and get it running without the CCC.
There are two known issues that I think are effecting the CCC, First it does not have a 1981 speedo -- and therefore no speed sensor. This was always the error code the computer issued.
Also -- it has aftermarket headers -- I noticed once upon a time that I could see flames shooting from the center of the header, where all the tubes come together -- seems like there is a hole in welding. I guess that is driving the oxygen sensor nuts, and therefore really effecting the CCC.
Any opinions --thoughts -- are there any threads that talk about removing the CCC from a 1981?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Well, you can most likely fix what you have cheaper than replacing all that stuff, thats the route I would go. The CCC Carb is a 750cfm carb and with only a little work can perform just as good as any out there and better than most. You can easily put in an O2 sensor on the exhaust, especially since it needs work anyways. I don't know what a correct speedo costs, but I can't imagine it to be a show stopper, $250 maybe?
Get the carb rebuilt by someone that knows what they are doing, or you can learn it yourself like I did, books are out there.
Fix or replace the headers, the CCC system will support just about any exhaust mod. The sensor needs to be as close to the collector as possible.
Replace the speedo and see where you are after a full on tuneup.
Get the carb rebuilt by someone that knows what they are doing, or you can learn it yourself like I did, books are out there.
Fix or replace the headers, the CCC system will support just about any exhaust mod. The sensor needs to be as close to the collector as possible.
Replace the speedo and see where you are after a full on tuneup.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Another vote for fixing what you have. But, buy a copy of the Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual. It has all the detail on the CCC system and how it works...plus how to check out and set-up all the components in it. It also has a section on adjusting the choke and carb. I don't think the headers are really doing anything for your car...unless it is a true dual exhaust setup, instead of the original combined outlet pipe.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
alot of the people on here like to take out the computer stuff.when they have problems .but i think it would be cheaper and easier to fix it.the speed sensor should not be a problem.i would check with any of the gauge people or the junk yards for it.the headers need work with or with out fixing the other problems.if i changed my cross-fire it would be with the new fast injection .the fast injection would be a good improvment and should not hurt resell.would never go back to a carb .
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Winchester CA
Take your time and fix it. Nothing like correcting an issue yourself. Definitely invest in the shop manual for that particular year. It will break it down to details. Good luck with your '81. I think the 80-82 bodies are some of the nicest out there (classic lines with a hint of modern looks).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
I love my 81 but there is absolutely no way i would keep the ccc. its from 1981 for gods sake , thats the year a movie came out titled "raiders of the lost ark" ....thats the year the space shuttle Columbia did its first launch .. the very first IBM pc was introduced .....and gas was just $1.25 a Gallon.....makes you realise how long ago 1981 was hey?
From what you wrote it doesnt sound like you need the hassles of troubleshooting and i cant blame you after a 10 year gap in hearing that beast fire up ..Do you really want a control system in your car from that error? I did not and within one week had the 3 miles of wiring ripped out , had a new msd distributor, demon carb,non loc up transmission yada yada installed, set my timing to 36 and i have not looked back since. If something was to go wrong (which it hasnt) i can easily fix it rather then reading codes ,changing sensor not to mention gaging up every time i look at that mess of ccc related hardware in the engine bay had i have kept it that way.
From what you wrote it doesnt sound like you need the hassles of troubleshooting and i cant blame you after a 10 year gap in hearing that beast fire up ..Do you really want a control system in your car from that error? I did not and within one week had the 3 miles of wiring ripped out , had a new msd distributor, demon carb,non loc up transmission yada yada installed, set my timing to 36 and i have not looked back since. If something was to go wrong (which it hasnt) i can easily fix it rather then reading codes ,changing sensor not to mention gaging up every time i look at that mess of ccc related hardware in the engine bay had i have kept it that way.
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Aug 17, 2010 at 03:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 18
From: Monrovia Md
Thanks for all the strong opinions. Still havent made up my mind.
As I keep thinking of what it was like when I turned it off for the last time, I remember that the filter plug in the carb was cross threaded, an oversize one tapped in and it leaked, sealed with a bunch of RTV. I want to fix all that (Wonder it hasnt already burned up). Will it be reasonable to get a new 1981 carb, or at least the part that has that filter plug?
GIngerbread -- Can I just change out the carb and the distributor and get started. I need to replace the transmission, but did not want to jump into that. Do you have any insight if I can get the car running reasonably like that? You mention ripping out all the wires, is this necessary or just desireable?
As I keep thinking of what it was like when I turned it off for the last time, I remember that the filter plug in the carb was cross threaded, an oversize one tapped in and it leaked, sealed with a bunch of RTV. I want to fix all that (Wonder it hasnt already burned up). Will it be reasonable to get a new 1981 carb, or at least the part that has that filter plug?
GIngerbread -- Can I just change out the carb and the distributor and get started. I need to replace the transmission, but did not want to jump into that. Do you have any insight if I can get the car running reasonably like that? You mention ripping out all the wires, is this necessary or just desireable?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There are no "new" '81 carbs [or replacements for it]. Just not enough business volume to justify it. There are rebuild procedures for the damaged inlet threads. Send an e-mail to Lars [V8FastCars@msn.com] and ask for the thread repair procedure for inlet housing on an '81 Q-Jet. Once you get the Chevy Service Manual, check out the funtion of the electronic portion of the carb. If it's OK, rebuilding the carb is not that difficult.
If the carb electronic module is damaged, replacing it may be more difficult...e-Bay or lectriclimited.com are possible sources. If correcting the CCC system becomes too difficult, conversion is the only solution...but the carb and the distributor are 'unique' to '81 and will not function well without the whole system, so those items will likely need to be replaced with earlier versions.
If the carb electronic module is damaged, replacing it may be more difficult...e-Bay or lectriclimited.com are possible sources. If correcting the CCC system becomes too difficult, conversion is the only solution...but the carb and the distributor are 'unique' to '81 and will not function well without the whole system, so those items will likely need to be replaced with earlier versions.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
Just my $0.02, But I would probably try to get the computer controls working. I have an '81 that had similiar issues, here in NY once the car is 25 years old you don't need an emissions inspection. I replace the carb, dist, etc with ones from an older vette. the car runs fine and I'm happy with the setup, however now that I am a little older and becoming more of a purist, and have seen a lot of people on this forum with their '81 computer stuff working fine, I probably should have fixed it right.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
Believe it or not, look on ebay for Mountain Man Carbs. I bought a rebuilt carb for my '81 from him, took it out of the box, put it on and it works perfectly. He even pays postage to send your old carb back. Also a very good deal.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 18
From: Monrovia Md
Well, I am beginning to arrive at a conclusion, I think Jaybird81 pushed me over the edge. While I REALLY want to get the beast on the road again, there will be a significant challenge in getting it to work the way the Chevy engineers intended it to work. But to a point!
My plan is starting to souind like this -- Fix what I know is broken
- Fix the inlet port on the carb and rebuild it -- probably on my own
- Pull the header and see if it can be fixed, else replace it
- Get a 1981 speedo with the sensor (any help on where I would find one?)
- Start it up and see what codes come out !!!!
I will try to let you all know how goes!
My plan is starting to souind like this -- Fix what I know is broken
- Fix the inlet port on the carb and rebuild it -- probably on my own
- Pull the header and see if it can be fixed, else replace it
- Get a 1981 speedo with the sensor (any help on where I would find one?)
- Start it up and see what codes come out !!!!
I will try to let you all know how goes!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
Thanks for all the strong opinions. Still havent made up my mind.
GIngerbread -- Can I just change out the carb and the distributor and get started. I need to replace the transmission, but did not want to jump into that. Do you have any insight if I can get the car running reasonably like that? You mention ripping out all the wires, is this necessary or just desireable?
GIngerbread -- Can I just change out the carb and the distributor and get started. I need to replace the transmission, but did not want to jump into that. Do you have any insight if I can get the car running reasonably like that? You mention ripping out all the wires, is this necessary or just desireable?
removing all the wiring and computer itself is just for a complete job but is by no means necessary.The ccc wiring actually comes out in one big harness and is a total standalone bundle so its not like you have to hack up your exhisting wiring or anything difficult like that. you could do it later if you pleased
I dont want it to be a battle between keeping the ccc or not keeping the ccc because both are good outcomes if its all working as it should and there are good and bad points to both scenarios .Its just a matter of personal taste , $$ and suitability i guess. You can always pack your 81 stock carb and dizzy for a later date if you want to go back in that direction at some time in the future.
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Aug 18, 2010 at 01:04 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
i think what you are looking for is a variable speed sensor[vss] that goes on the back of the speedo .the speedo gauge repair places or a corvette junk yard should have what you need.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Peoplez Republik (communist portland) Orygun
I had the same situation as you. Keep it simple!
1. Ditch the ccc
2. Edelbrock alum intake manifold
3. Edelbrock performer 600cfm carb
4. Get true dual exhaust (each side getting a new free flow catalytic converter.
You will pass emissions, have more HP, sound better.
It worked for me in Eco-terror Portland OR
1. Ditch the ccc
2. Edelbrock alum intake manifold
3. Edelbrock performer 600cfm carb
4. Get true dual exhaust (each side getting a new free flow catalytic converter.
You will pass emissions, have more HP, sound better.
It worked for me in Eco-terror Portland OR
