i have a 86 camaro base coupe, with a 305 4bbl lg4 engine. question is, exactly what does my ecm control on my engine? i have a edelbrock performer 600 carb, hooker headers, and a stock 1980 small block chevy distributor i would like to put on, and eliminate the ecm completely. i need to know what else the computer controls, and i havent bought an intake yet, would should i look for in an intake? i was told to go with a dual plane low profile intake to match my 2:73 rear end and overdrive transmission, and i would like to go edelbrock with the intake also. help would be much appreciated.

Well, its not the same for every application because of the variations of the cars depending on their shipping destiny at time of manufacture.

But lets say its a somewhat typical US car...

ECM controls the fuel mixture VIA the computer controlled Q-Jet carb and controls the spark timing VIA the ESC HEI dizzy. It also controls things like the TCC lockup, electric fans (if so equipped) and EGR.

Ect... Ect...

Best bet is to just pull the SES bulb from the dash and leave the ECM in place to control the lockup and fans (if equipped)

All you have to do is swap on that carb, the older non ESC HEI dizzy and your up and running.

The Edelbrock carb would be a downgrade and serious waste of performance dollars. You'd be spending money and making changes but any "gains" would be in the negative direction.

An Edelbrock Performer or Weiand Action+ intake would be a slight upgrade over the stock intake. Headers are a good move, plan on changing out the entire exhaust.

For the low-down on 305 performance, check out the "Differences between 305's and performance upgrade" thread in the FAQ forum.

For the record, I'm running a stock computer controlled carb. If it can handle my set-up, it'll handle yours.

Yes, the Qjets arent an entirely bad carb. Some light modifications and tuning and they will handle a pretty stout motor no problem.

I believe the tech articles link on the main page has a link for tweaking the qjets...

thanks guys

my headers are hooker shorties, and they dont have the little silver tubes on top, thats the egr right? i wnat to completely remover those along with the smog pump. can i do that and still retain the stock ecm>??

The tubes going to the exhaust are part of the Air Injection Reaction system. If you don't have emissions inspection or testing, the car doesn't need it to run properly.

Ditto with EGR.

Don't happen to be running either myself at the present time.

unfortunately, rhode island is tight on emissions, but i really want to put the headers on, it's gonna be hard getting a sticker...

The A.I.R. tubes going to the manifolds only function when the engine is cold. If you keep the tube going to the cat, it should pass the sniffer. Whether or not it will pass visual depends upon how strict they are.

Hooker 2055HKR are really nice headers with y-pipe, have the A.I.R. tubes, work nice.

i feel like an idiot, but what the hell is a dizzy??

Slang for "distributor".

no ****, wow

Not true on carb'd cars. There's a thermal electric switch in the passenger side head and a relay on the driver's side firewall that turn the radiator fan on.