If you read Corvette Fever magazine (December, 2002), you know that according to the editor, Ronnie Hartman, the "first computerized classic" is the 1984 model. Yep, the C4. Ms. Hartman is not only the mag's editor in chief, but also the author of the article on Bill Matits' beautiful red '84. :flag

I just thought that perhaps some of the '81 and '82 owners around here might disagree a bit with Ms. Hartman; you might even want to send her a little note, explaining the joys of your mysteriously computerized C3's. I'm not quite sure what she's trying to say - that our cars don't have real computers, or that they're not real classics (at least not when compared to the '84!). :bs
http://www.corvettefever.com

I sure do miss Richard Newton. :sad:

 

The 82 has exactly the same system as the 84 with the exception that the 84 has an electronic speedo (and dash of course). The 82 uses a cable driven VSS, while the 84 uses the one in the tranny. I think they mean the dash with more computerized but if you plug an 84 ECM into the 82 (ít's plug & play, only 82 & 84 ECM's are different and PROM's are not interchangeable) you can actually hook up the dash. All you need is the VSS in the tranny (fits there, it's a plug & play swap too) and you'd need to splice some wirs and hook the "ZX-Spectrum" to it :)

The 84 ECM is a little more sophicsticated than the 82, it's smaller too. It does a better job at controlling the FI system too. But, if you consider the beginning of computer stuff it is indeed the 82. The 81 has only 1/2 the system ;)

Marck

 

Hi Gator & Marck,
I suppose it all depends on how you define computer controlled. In years to come when cars drive themselves to your requested destination, people will be saying that current models aren't computer controlled, only partially so. Hope that made sense (I still haven't recovered from my brush with our public transport system :( :cuss ). Personally I don't mind the computer controlling the primaries mixture & the timing..... as long as Microsoft haven't had anything to do with it :D
Does anybody know what processor is actually inside the ECM?
:cheers:

 

Ask on the GM ECM site, it's some kind of motorola processor. I think Ken73 & JoBy know this (if they're not here they're over on the crossfire pages)

Marck

 

Actually I think the 81 had the first "ECM" in it. The 81 Q-jet and distributor were computer controlled units and the TH-350 had a lockup convertor that was apparently part of the system.

 

Marck, thanks for the info, I'll have a look at that :)

Smokehouse is correct, the '81 had the 1st ECM & it controlled a couple of engine functions, making the engine computer controlled. Sort of :) The lockup function has some ECM input, it prevents lockup occuring if the coolant is not upto temp & it might also monitor the manifold vacuum (I never got to the bottom of that one).
Correction: The '80 California model with the CCC(C?) system was the 1st computer controlled Vette - the '81 used the same system after it had been modified & tweaked a bit, which also allowed us '81 owners to understand & diagnose any problems with it :D
:cheers:

 

Think again.

From what I was told, the 1980 California only Corvette with the 305 engine had a computer setup the same as the 1981's.

Check into it before you contact them, as you may be wrong by saying the 1981's were the first with computers.

 

> First computerized classic
Hmmmmm...

2002 - 1984 = 18

Classic car === A car that is 20 or more years old.

Bzzzz -- Wrong answer.

2002 - 1982 = 20

Classic car - check

1982 has the computer - Check.

1982 - First Computerized classic.

QED.

 

Ah heck I thought we were talking about in the USA, The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia doesn't count does it? :D (BTW, former resident, I been there and done that!)

 

i thought classic was 25.....only 3 more years for my 9/80 build to make it.

 

Paul,

Do you know if the trans TC lock up and computer operation would be adversely affected by using a slightly higher stall convertor (only 500 over stock). I need to rebuild my transmission and put a new TC in, thinking about going with the higher stall.

 

Funny, I would have voted for my '72....

GENE

 

My 1982 CE :yesnod:

 

Brian,
I don't think it would matter. Is your tranny an MX2? In mine there is a pressure switch inside the tranny wired in series with the solenoid. If the computer wants lockup, the brakes are off, etc but the line pressure is low then the pressure switch will stop lockup occuring. The computer prevents lockup if coolant isn't up to temp & it may make a decision based on manifold vacuum. I never found any hint of vehicle speed or engine rpms being used by the computer to determine lockup points. The tranny specialist I spoke to told me that the lockup prevention in low gear was done by the pressure switch cutting power to the solenoid. If a fault occured with the computer or brake pedal switch then lockup would also be prevented by this pressure switch when the line pressure dropped due to slowing down. This pressure switch is not expensive & is easily changed to one of a different value, so the speed at which lockup occurs should be able to be varied by using different pressure switches. Unfortunately I couldn't find out for myself as mine still doesn't lockup (the electrics & computer are good, I've changed the solenoid & pressure switch & the manual comes up with the helpful advice of "Problem is internal" :sad:
:cheers:

 

:yesnod:

 

Thats good.....Motorola = Macintosh Powerpcc.
So I can put my Apple sticker back up again? :cool:


:D

 

Now I can PROUDLY say -- "1980 Corvette, the LAST Corvette before computers took over". Thank heavens my car is not Apple, Texas Instruments, Intel or any other computer driven mess.

Oh wait, what processor is in this fuel injection kit I am going to install ?

 

hey, marck! is that zx-spectrum thingy like a flux capacitor? :lol:

for all those of us who own non-classic computerized vettes, i'm doing a little research to see if one of the later model ('85-85) computerized, carburated ECMs can be adapted to the earlier cars. i don't see why not and just aside from them being faster and providing better control over what they control, they are supposed to be more reliable. when i find out more i'll let people know.

 

Don't you know what a ZX spectrum is??

Here'ya go :)

 

Errr....... I'm still using Z80 Assembler :(