I just got a 1988 Firebird, with a 2.8 on dec 24th, I already have the engine and tranny out and have a 355 waiting to go in, with a 700r4.

I need to know what has to be done to eliminate the computer, what part of the harness can i take out so that my guages work... like the temp sending unit, and oil pressure.... is that in a separate harness but ran with the wires for the computer????

I have a picture of the plugs and wire that come through at the pass fender and lead to the engine compartment. can someone please tell me whats needed and whats not needed. or simply if its just the two plugs that go to the computer control all the stuff i dont need, and the other plug that just plugs into another and goes over by the dash and i keep that??

also do i have to do anything as far as ignition modules or do i even need to have anything to get it to work without the computer.. if it even applys. I have a GM HEI coil distributor.

Thanks alot if there is anything needed that i did not ask about please let me know,

Thanks,

Joel

 

There was also a little yellow box that fell out from underneath the dash, i was wondering if anyone knew what it was??? Thanks heres the pic

 

i did the swap but i dont know if im going to be the help you need. i completly got rid of those wires and the computer.i used after market gauges. i got a non CC HEI (2 wire only)out of a 70's SBC. wired up a relay so it came on with the key and thats all you need for ign. to get rid of the computer. the trans on mine doesnt shift that well on its own so i shift manualy. it wont have lockup without the computer either. you can wire the fan and fuel pump with a relay so you can turn them on when you want. i put a fuel regulator to get the pressure down to @7 psi.
i dont drive the car very often, mostly to and from the track so these things dont bother me. if you want specific wiring help let me know.

 

thank you but if someone could help me on what needs to be done to keep my guages working, its still going to be a driver, because im in michigan and i dont have emissions to worry about,


Thanks

Joel

 

your tach will be off the v-6 &v-8 are different.......the volt meter will work...I suggest an aftermarket oil pressure gauge...you will need to rewire the fuel pump as well as L/U on the stall

 

this is me 89Formula305, i created a new name for the new car..what will i have to do to rewire the fuel pump.

Thank you,

joel

 

you can do one of a couple things. i like to be sure of my wiring and i only want to do it once(i'm an electronics tech). so i ran a seperate circuit (fuse, relay, switch, and wiring) from the battery to the power wire at the point they go from the inside of the car to underneath through the back seat area.

it may be a little simpler to find the fuel relay and wire it up to come on with the key and stay on. since i didnt do it this way i dont know how its wired.

i dont trust the 15 year old stuff so thats why i did my own.

 

Since you are getting rid of the computer, I presume you are going with a carb? If so, you need to drop your fuel pressure considerably. Your 2.8 is going to be running 40# or better, a carb won't take more than 6#.

 

A Malory 3 port adjustable fuel pressure regulator works great for this..for the FP what I did was jump the relay between the back seats..ran a hot wire to a keyed scorce in the fuse box...the pump will run when the key is on...the fuel circulates from the tank to the carb and return on the regulator...5-7 lbs is all you will need....