Where is the computer on a 1985 Trans Am? I am going to get rid of the cc carb and distributor. After spending $1K on getting it to pass emissions and it still runs half *** and guzzles gas, its time to get rid of the computer. How to unplug and any advice anyone might have?

 

Should be under the dash on the passenger side. If there is a cover panel under the dash, remove it. The computer is near the side and you'll see a bunch of wires plugged into a silver looking box. The computer has a bolt at the bottom of the bracket and just slides down out after that is removed. Car will probably run better with the carb and vacuum advance distributor but it's a shame someone couldn't figure out the problem. Has the catalytic converter been checked out? They get stopped up sometimes. And a failing fuel pump will sure cause poor running.

 

Yeah, I am curious what did you spend all that money on? Mine got about 8mpg when I bought mine, and that was before I replaced the exhaust (cat and everything all the way back) and most importantly hooked the computer back up to the car (ECM pig tail was unplugged). I haven't driven it since doing all that work, but if it continues to suck gas at 8mpg I may follow you. My ECM reads a-okay ... did you replace the sensors, rebuild the carb, how about vacuum leaks, and what about the fuel pump? Basically can you provide details?

 

I TOOK IT TO A REAL GOOD SHOP HERE BECAUSE IT HAD A COMPUTER LIGHT ON ON THE DASH. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE CARB BUTTERFLY SHAFT WAS WORN OUT. THE CARB THROTTLE SENSOR WAS TELLING THE COMPUTER TO GO FULL RICH. I THINK THEY CALL IT "GET IT HOME MODE". SOMEONE IN THE PAST TRIED TO GLUE BACK TOGETHER THE MAF SENSOR. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD ALREADY REPLACED ALL OF THE VACUUM HOSES AND I USED A SCHEMATIC FOUND HERE ON THIS FORUM. SO I HAD TO BUY A CC QUADRAJET WHICH WAS AROUND $400. THEN THE INTAKE HAD A LEAK CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO COME ON AGAIN WITH A TROUBLE CODE. IT WAS LEAKING AIR INTO THE HEAD THROUGH A BAD GASKET SO THE INTAKE HAD TO COME OFF. WITH THE CARB AND THE LABOR IT WAS EXPENSIVE BUT MY DAUGHTER DRIVES IT AND IT HAS TO BE DEPENDABLE. BUT I AM GOING TO START BUILDING UP A 350 CHEVY WITH A HOLLEY OR DEMON CARB AND A VACUUM ADVANCED CARB WITH HEADERS AND THE GOOD STUFF. IT RUNS A LOT BETTER THAN IT EVER HAS BUT IT IS STILL A DOG AND GUZZLES GAS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE EMISSIONS STANDARDS ARE SO LENIENT FOR THIS YEAR MODEL THAT I WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM GETTING IT TO PASS WITH ALL THE COMPUTER STUFF GONE AND THE COMPUTER UNPLUGED. JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE THIS DAMN COMPUTER IS. IS IT UNDER THE DASH ON THE RIGHT SIDE?

 

Wow, we aren't your kids so you don't have to yell or curse. He is correct.