I am baffled about the computers in third generations. What do they do. I am putting a new motor in and wondering if the computer has to be hooked up or how it is hooked up.

Another problem is a little while ago I had a car alarm, and just one day it went on and wouldn't stop. So we had to unhook the battery. We had to go get a universal remote and go through it until it would shut the thing off. Now since I took my motor out I was just wondering if it was stock and where it is, how to get it to work again. I lost the key thing.

Anyone know anything?

 

Yeah, a few people here know a lot of things, and between all of them, almost everything.

A little more information about your car would be helpful. Assuming it's a V8 and an '84, and it's still got all the factory equipment, the computer controls the carb mixture (primaries only), ignition timing, EGR valve opening, A.I.R. direction, and (if automatic) the torque converter lockup. It needs information from sensors such as throttle position (in the carb), engine speed (from the distributor), coolant temperature, manifold pressure, vehicle speed (from a sensor on the back of the speedometer). Some models also have a barometric pressure sensor. The computer itself is behind the dash above the passenger's feet, and it's connected by harnesses from the dash and engine compartment.

Whether you still need the computer depends upon things such as emissions testing in your area (if yes, then "yes"), and whether you stick with computer contolled carb and distributor (if yes, then "yes"). Whether it will still work properly depends upon the engine you intend to install.

The alarm was added by somebody. There are too many brands out there to tell you any more about how it works without more information about the system you have. Can't tell you anything about where it is (happy hunting).

 

5.7 is pretty much on the money. In a modern auto the ECM is the brain of the vehicle. I would think twice about taking a step backwards and going back to old style ignition etc. If you are going to register the car for street use most states require all emission equipment to be on the vehicle and this includes the ECM. Without the ECM none of the smog equipment will fuction properly because they in most cases are directly controlled by the ECM and it's support components. If you are going to race only it may not be important and you would have ton's of options in the aftermarket. If you will use it on the street than I would question why you would want to eliminate the ECM. While we may complain about the complexities of modern emission controls on our cars we have seen since the advent of on board computers greatly improved driveability. Truth be told once you understand the fundamentals of ECM and peripheral operation it actually is not all that complicated. Without ECM controlled engine management you would be nursing it on cold days and wasting a lot of fuel in the process. The TG's if properly tuned up usually fire on the first crank, even if it's 10 below outside and you can basically back it out of the driveway and go. My 74 Z was a pisser when it was cold. Modern engine management with the use of ECM control is a real plus in controlling your engine in all sorts of operating conditions and I would think twice before I would take a step backwards.