1981 electronics
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 10
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
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From: Great Plains Iowa
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the engine no longer has the '81 "electronic" carb, you need to swap out the distributor for a standard GM points or HEI distributor, too. The original '81 dizzy has timing regulated by that [non-functional] ECM, also. As it is now, your ignition timing is at a 'default' level for start-up mode, only.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 19
From: Ocean Springs, MS
St. Jude Donor '07
I understand that removing the ECM also requires changing intake manifold, carburetor, and distributor. I priced that change at about $1,000. But the challenge of understanding the E4ME was worth it.
BTW, getting a replacement ECM runs about $100. Finding a good Prom for an automatic is not easy.
Last edited by 64roadster; Jan 9, 2016 at 11:37 PM. Reason: Adding info
