just sold my 89 v6 camaro so im looking for something a little more fun. its a 5spd 1985 trans am v8. ive never messed with carbed engines and dont know to much about them so forgive me for asking. i just dont wunna buy something messed up. i asked the seller what was wrong and along with some cosmetic issues he said "it doesnt have the computer but doesnt need one to be legal or drive, cause of the year" pretty much is this a big deal and something i should stay away from? or what..

 

If you live where smog checks are required you'll run into trouble without the ECM.

With it removed the owner should have swapped in a mechanical carb AND mech distributor with vacuum advance. Nothing particularly wrong with this but I would ensure that decent parts/pieces were installed and it's not a half-assed job.

Wouldn't pay any kinda premium for a buggered up motor though. Hope he's not asking more than, say, $1500.

 

he was at like 1700 and its been up for a little while and now he told me hed take 1300. the car runs and drives and obv needs some work. but its kinda what im looking for. something i can drive when i want but still work on it. i rebuilt the top end on my 6xer and sold her the other day. it was my first third gen and i loved that car but just not enough fun for me. this trans am is 5spd v8 ttops and black (im cursed with always buying red cars...) so its pretty much what i want.



but pretty much if i buy the car id want to check if the dist and carb are mechanical? and if not make them that way and ill be good? in my state the cars old enough to be emission exempts so thats not a big deal
or just get a computer and put it in?

 

If it still has the original carb and dist, it may be easier and cheaper to replace the ECM. The ECM may still be there and disconnected, too.

Make a note of the type of carburetor. The computer controlled carb will have a two-wire connector on the top near the fuel inlet and a three wire connector front, opposite side. The computer controlled dist will NOT have a vacuum can or vacuum line attached to it.

Be prepared for anything, though and you won't be disappointed.