Hi all.

I know this issue has been done to death, but I am hoping for some genuinely intelligent guidance to supplement decades of ignorance concerning cars, Particularly My 82' Trans Am!
I recently purchased this car and it is as stock as an LG4 can be so it needs some love. After a week, the check engine light came on, so I took into get the codes checked. First it was the EGR valve. A couple of weeks later the light came on again. I was told that the fuel mixture was too rich. I relayed the issue to my mechanic, who had a look and said that the carb was a goner, and that I should get it replaced.
I want to make the engine as simple as it can be, without all the hoses, catalytic converter, etc.
I live in New Zealand, and as such have no need of the emissions control junk, so I thought I would pre-empt any more EGR issues and let the engine breathe by getting it ripped out.
Being that the stock parts are much harder to come by here, I have planned to put in a Quick Fuel 580 HR Series secondary vacuum carb, and while I was at it, a Edelbrock Performer EPS manifold. I have since realized while reading in here that I will need a vacuum advance distributor and possibly a TV cable to the transmission for lock up to bypass any computer related issues?
I am hoping that someone can help me make the smartest decision relating to modification and computer issues that is best for the car.
Thank you for reading and apologies for the long post!

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

You'll have a few issues to overcome, such as hooking up the fuel line and the throttle cables, and what to use for an air cleaner.

A vacuum/mechanical advance distributor that looks like your stock one will, however, hook up directly. Just add a vacuum hose to a carb port.

The computer won't control the lockup anymore (assuming you have a TH200C), so you'll need a kit to do that, or fab up a switch circuit.

 

Thanks for the reply five seven

 

This may be a stupid question, but could I delete the computer codes relating to the distributor / carb / EGR after install, so that it can still operate the trans? or is it simpler to just rip out the computer and go the whole hog?