Ok on my '85 camaro i have an LG4 that finally gave out a month ago. Now i've been tearing down the block to sell the parts and realize all the wires, connectors, etc.. that go in the manifold, water neck, carb, on the side of the engine block (or heads i think). The thing is the 383 that i will be putting, i dont it will have all that stuff. Its a 383 stroker w/ AFR 195cc heads, Edelbrock RPM air gap, Edelbrock 750cfm #1411, mallory HEI dist.

Now my thing is that im not 100% sure if my car is computer ran or not, and if it is will the new motor throw it off? Or what will happen exactly? I got about 3 weeks until i put in the new motor so i just wanted a heads up on what might happen. Any input i would greatly appreciate. Thanks

 

I am pretty sure you have a computer controlled carb. I am not sure of all LG4s had this though. I think they did but anyone please correct me if I am wrong. Look under the passenger side interior pannel for the ECM (where a glove box should be).

 

Does your carb have any wires running to it? How about your distributor does it have a vacuum canister, or mechanical advance with weights and springs?

If not they its not CC.

 

Assuming it is a US car, and not the Canadian version, then it is a computer controlled q-jet.

The biggest issue i can see is the torque converter lock up. What are you planning to do about the transmission?

 

Ok i remember last time looking underneath the dash on the passenger side there was some sort of metal box shape device. Im assuming it might be the ECM or not. As far as my carb goes there was a couple wire connecting to it, i think one in the front and one on the side. (im not too sure). The distributor isnt vaccum advanced. I remember taking the cap off and seeing the springs in it. Now the transmission have already been professionaly built and i will be putting in a 3500 stall w/ lockup. How would this affect the lockup on the tranny?

 

Haven't all cars (from the factory) since 80 1/2 been computer-controlled, at least to some extent?

 

The ECM controls the lock up function. if you remove the ECM, well you remove the controls for the lock up. I think there is a kit out there, Painless Wiring, perhaps. I'm not really sure. Someone else will surely know.

 

can i keep the ECM in my car to keep the lockup for my convertor and still have no problems with my engine? I heard as long as i have a vaccum adv. distributor and none computer controlled carb it would be ok. I would like to keep the Lockup for my convertor if possible and try not to by the whole kit from painless.

 

my car,, also an 85 in Canada does not have an ECM in it, I didn't know some came without until I asked a similar question before.

 

You can keep the ECM in the car, but it won't do you any good. As soon as the ECM sees that you've removed the computer controlled Carb and Distributor, it'll throw the check engine light and won't lock up the converter anymore. Engine will run fine, but the lockup converter won't engage under the ECM's control any more. Gotta install an aftermarket kit to make it function again. I beleive B&M and other companies make various add-on stand-alone kits to engage the lockup under appropriate conditions.

 

The biggest problem I see in this whole thread is "Modesto,Ca".

No computer, no pass smog check.

Period.

383, it'd better look and smell exactly like the LG4 that came out, or repeat the ending to Line #2 above.

"...AFR 195cc heads, Edelbrock RPM air gap, Edelbrock 750cfm #1411, mallory HEI dist..." sounds a whole lot like the ending of Line #2 above is about to come true.

 

i know that im in california but im not to worried about smog. i work at a dealership and we have a smog machine, need i say more? It should pass the emission anyways for being a new motor and at higher compression. It wont pass the visual though for sure. I just wanted to know if i had a ECU or not (which i guess now seems like i do) and what to do to bypass the ECU for the engine but keep it for the LU converter, but now heard it wont work. Like i said im putting the motor in in about 3-4 weeks and wanted to find out on some things....

 

if you work at a deal can't you get all the info there i am not being a a$$ just wondering

 

i do deliveries so im out on the road 90% of the time and dont have much time to talk to the techs because they are always busy. Besides its a dodge dealship and they wont know as much on camaros as you guys would.

 

ok so if ECU wont work to lockup my converter will this kit work if i get a bigger stall Lockup converter?

http://bowtieoverdrives.com/catalog/...php?ITEMID=336

Im going to need a LU converter so i guess i have to do whatever means neccessary.

 

So you're telling us, that you're going to go to one of your techs, who has a video camera hooked up to Sacramento and pointed at him and the engine bay where he's doing the smog check, that the state can turn on and look at any time they want; and you're going to ask him to risk a fine and jail time, and the dealership's smog license, to bogusly pass your car???

I'm glad you're not my "friend".

I'm not being a jerk either, just being realistic.

What I suggest you do, is to put the computer stuff on there, and get the car smogged with that all on there and working right; and change the other onto it afterwards if you're not happy with how it runs. Keep the computer setup all neatly unhacked and stowed away, so 2 years from now you can put it back on and do it again.

When I moved out there a few years ago and discovered I was in an "enhanced" smog check area, I sure was glad I had carefully preserved all of my computer stuff. It came in REAL handy.

All in all, I'd say getting a Gear Vendors overdrive is among your lowest priorities right at this moment.

 

Yo daddy, I recall when you were starting this project, and I kept mentioning smog...regardless, if you have an "in" or not, looks like you've made up your mind.

I'm 99.9% sure that the ECM will still control TC lockup, as long as you have the CTS and VSS still feeding the ECM.

 

so 8Mike9, your telling me even if my when i put my engine in and even though the ECU wont work with it, that it will still L/U my converter? I wont have to buy the kit to make it L/U? And im sorry im not to familiar what CTS and VSS is...

 

Yes, that is what I'm saying.

IIRC, many have posted before that when converting from TPI to carb, they left thier CTS (Coolant Temperature Sensor) and VSS hooked up (Vehicle Speed Sensor)..in effectjust removine most of the underhood wiring, except the above mentioned.

Then again, if you yank it all out, IIRC, the kit is about 80 or 90 bucks for the TC lockup...or you could do the same with a toggle switch and a few wires...

Or...tie into the 4th gear pressure switch into the tranny, this way the TC will only lockup in OD. Consult your manual, or give me a day or two to unpack mine.

 

ok well to make it easy ill leave the CTS and VSS both hooked up so i can use the LU, the thing is were exactly are they located? Im sorry to act like a dumba$$ but this is my first engine swap and not to familiar with some of the stuff.

 

The CTS should be in the front of the intake, but I'm not 100% sure on an LG4, the VSS will either be on the tranny side or under the dash, driven off the speedometer cable.

Another thing you may want to think of, and would cost less money, is use a non-lockup converter and add a tranny cooler...you should be okay, since it doesn't sound like you're building a highway cruiser anyways.

 

well i do sometimes take it on the freeway because my father lives 2 hours away from me and usually visit him every other weekend. Also i take it to some events here and there. Would it work if i buy a non L/U converter and then add the lock up kit?

 

No, that won't work. The lockup is inside the converter...so if you buy a non-lockup and add the kit, it won't do anything.

You'll want a lockup converter.

I'd suggest looking into tying into the 4th gear pressure switch...then you'll only have lockup when in OD...only time you really need it anyways.

 

ok that sounds good, thats most likely the route i will go. Thanks for all your help. I didnt want to get stuck right in the middle of the project.