im putting a cam in my crate 350 and i was wondering if i needed to get a computer controlled compatible cam or if i could get one thats not comp controlled. its the stock ecm(in dire need of a tune) in a tpi car with mass air.
thanks guys

 

Depends on cam spec
Generally computer cars need a LSA of 112 or higher ( check the cam card)
Factory is 114+
Can run down to 110 with a good tuner
Anything less makes the computer have a heart attack whereas it is not a problem to go with a lower LSA with a carb

 

Ask the cam company for a recommendation.

MAF ECMs with mild engine modifications will start up and go, and tune themselves while you drive over time, but to get the most out of it you'll eventually need to tune it.
I speak only from my experience.

My 388 is a non-roller and highly modified MAF TPI. I did nothing more than change the injector size, and add 4° to initial timing. but I don't street (in other words I haven't been caught doing it) or track race.
The only other thing I've changed since then is fan control for an 80° T-Stat and desired Idle speed versus Temp.

 

the car is a medium build its a crate 350 with an edelbrock highflow intake 26pph injectors plus i have heads, headers, y pipe, 3600 stall T/C in the mail and on their way, i just need to decide on a cam. i know the computer is in dire need of retuning as it is but thats not my question if the comp needs tuned, its the fact that the cams listed have an info box stating whether the cam is "computer controlled compatible" or not. or does that just mean that its gonna make the computer think somethings wrong unless its retuned.

my plan has been to go somewhere within the 480 to just under 500 lift range, i plan on reving the motor to about 5600 and i dont think the fully ported plenum with edelbrock runners and base all ported will have an issue pulling to that. im still trying to figure out what lsa and duration will benifit me most. im trying to kinda bias the heads and cam toward the hp side since the tpi makes it a torque monster anyway. and help bump everything up to benifit the 3600 stall.

 

Read what I said
if you read the cam specs they most likely have a LSA of 112 or more making them computer compatible
A cam does not need to be listed as computer compatible to work so long as the LSA is correct

The lower the LSA the more valve overlap .
The more valve overlap, the more fuel that goes out the exhaust at idle.
For reasons I can't be bothered explaining here the computer miss reads this, thinks engine is lean and adds more fuel so you end up with a engine that idles like a pig and has so much fuel out the exh pipe it makes your eye water