rich40

I have a 1983 Firebird with computer controlled mixture. Is it possible, and or feasible, to remove the fact carb, and put an older "non" computer carb on with out doing any "computer" damage ??? Can the wires leading to this function be removed, or cut at any point ??? This current carb is a major headache, and an exact new one is out of my price range right now. Thanks for any help !!!!

Ratnose86SC

Youll need to get a vacuum advance distributor as well. Other than that you'll be fine. A Carter 650 should do good.

rich40

the car currently has a vaccuum adv. distributor....as far as I know, this car is all stock. There Shouldnt be one on there already ??? What about the wires leading to the current carb ?? Should they be just left hanging or something special done to them ???

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

Well, I had a computer controlled carb on my 86 T/A and went with an Edelbrock 1406 carb. I had to change the distributor to a vaccum advance. On your dist. do you have a large round device on it with a vacuum line attached? If it doesn't, then you don't have a vacuum advance dist.

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Zepher
'86 Pontiac Trans Am WS6, 5 Speed:
Edelbrock 1406 Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM 7101 Intake Manifold.
Edelbrock Open Element Air Cleaner: Flowmaster Exhaust, 160* Thermostat,
Grant GT Steering Wheel, MSD HEI Coil, Taylor 8mm Wires, Recaro Seats,
Alpine CD+Changer,Rockford & Soundstream Amps, Premier TS-1040C Subs, Polk Audio highs/mids.

WS6 Trans Am

rich40

yes it does have a vaccum advance on it. Will the computer have any problems if I switch carbs ???



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1983 Firebird, 305, 4bbl, 700r4, 3:42 rear, factory stock to the bone

Ed Maher

If you already have a vacuum advance distributor you've caused all the problems your computer will ever need. In other words, you have already taken your 'puter out of the picture. It running the MCS is just a technicality, and sure isn't doing anything useful.
So, you can do whatever you want with the wires/sensors from the 'puter. The ony wire you will want to retain for your new carb will be the choke wire.
...ed

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

If your replacement carb has/uses the fast idle solenoid, you'll want that wire as well.

On a side note, I have an '84 Chevy full size V-8 van. It has a non-computer Q-jet, vacuum/mechanical advance distributor, and the 4-wire connector going from the distributor to the computer. I don't have a clue what the computer does to control things (except the cruise control and TCC, but certainly not the carb or ignition advance), but when that 4-wire connector is disconnected, the engine dies. Never seen or heard of anything else like it.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car. Rescued w/86 LG4/TH700R with all harnesses, sensors, ECM, etc. 2.73 open. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LB9 w/ZZ3 cam, ported heads, exhaust, paint, etc.).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. Currently 396 .030 over, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited September 28, 2000).]

rich40

As a matter of fact, when I bought the car, the vaccum line to the distributor was "not" connected. I did not connect it since. I thought there was a reason for someone doing that, and it does run great, except at idle. Ok then, I really appreciate all the comebacks......great board. I wouldnt keep this "comuter" car without all the help Ive gotten here. I'm used to owning "old" cars....

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1983 Firebird, 305, 4bbl, 700r4, 3:42 rear, factory stock to the bone

fudgelunch

So I can change out my Quad to a Holly without worring about any computer problems. What about my tach if I change out the distributor. I'm planning a 350 swap and I would really like to get away from that Quad!

Ed Maher

NO! The factory carb and distributor must be used if you are keeping the computer. Period. Not one or the other, you need both or you will never run right.
About the tach, no problem, it works off a regular tach input signal which will come from any distributor.
...ed

Biochem

Make sure your manifold will acccept either base. It would be a great time to swap intake manifolds too... An Edlebrock Performer manifold will accept either type of carb base.



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1984 z28 w/ a 357 cu in. monster engine which is looking like the posterchild for Edelbrock... all the suspension stuff... 9-bolt posi disk is in... K&N filter... 93 octane...

-=ICON Motorsports=-

gclay

Rich40.

I'm not sure where Penn Lake is. I live in Landenberg, Chester co. Pa. Where I live, if you disconnect your carb, or put in a non computer controlled carb in a car that originally had a computer controlled carb, it is illegal, if you intend to drive it on the road.

You will not pass inspection... you might want to check it out.