Do the thirdgens that came equipped with carbs have computers that help to control the carb's air/fuel ratio, or are the carbs completely mechanical like they were on cars in the 60s and 70s?

A friend of mine recently asked me how much easier carbureted cars were to work on than, say, a TPI car, and my initial thought was that they would be simpler to work on because of their having fewer electronics. But then again, the TPI cars have those diagnostic ports that help you figure out why your car is running poorly and throwing codes.

Any help or opinions here will be appreciated. This friend of mine is new to cars and working on them, and wants to make sure he gets a thirdgen that he will be able to learn to work on without being overwhelmed by a too-complex electronic system.

 

All of the US-delivered 3rd gen cars with a carb had computer control. It has the diagnostic port, helps some. I may be spoiled because I've heard rumblings that the '86/'87 versions were slightly better than the earlier ones, but I don't know that for a fact.

It's a pretty simple system. Controls mixture at idle and part throttle, timing, EGR, A.I.R., based on various inputs including coolant temperature, engine manifold vacuum, engine speed, barometric pressure, exhaust gas oxygen content, and some models had a knock sensor as well.