I have a 1985 TPI T/A with a 305 and auto tranny. Been trying to figure out a starting problem. My fuel pump is not engaging. Replaced everything, and still have same problem. Traced it back to my computer.
I'm going to need a new one and was wondering what years would be compatiable with this one. I've seen a few for sale in the classifieds.
Also would like to know if there is anyway to troubleshoot the computer itself. When I turn the key on I don't even get the check engine light. And I can't get any codes from it.
Thanks

Brian

 

Only an '85 computer can be used for '85 TPI. They used the 870 ECM in '85, and that was the ONLY year it was used. Kinda limits you on choices.

 

If you can't find one for an '85 you could get one from an '86 or '87. They use the 165 ECM rather than the 870 ECM. There are a few things that would need to be done. Here is the link to the swap procedure.

http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~davis/z28/ecm_swap/

 

yet another reason that 85s suck.

 

Come on Jim, at least we didn't get stuck with the peanut cam.

 

when you swap to a 350, the peanut cam in your 305 is a whole lot less important than the junk computer you're still stuck with.

But yeah, I feel pretty special that the 305 wrapped in saran wrap over in the corner of my garage has the good cam in it. :sillylol:

I wonder how long a motor wrapped in saran wrap can last before the bores rust up?

 

Forever, if you filled them with Marvel Mystery Oil.

 

how about 10w30 and the occasional WD40 bath?

 

As long as the cylinders are filled with oil it should last.

 

Gonna bump this thread instead of starting a brand new thread since it kinda addresses the same issue.

What about using a 86+ MAF ECM & harness on a '85? I have a '85 305 TPI/700R4 with the 870 ECM to go in a project truck, but no harness. So I thought about just using a later harness & ECM on it.

 

As detailed in the 870 -165 ECM swap bible above linked
http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~davis/z28/ecm_swap/

 

I skimmed over that, but I have NO harness at all. Engine & ECM, nothing more.

Could a 165 harness just be laid on & connected? My 87 has a remote coil dizzy & this 85 has a internal coil dizzy. So apparently at least that much of the harness would need some splicing. So I would be laying the 86+ harness onto the 85 engine.

 

you can use a 86-89 harness but 89 would not have the cold start switch to aid in cold starting in is in the calibration of the memcal. you can buy the packard connecters and build dizzy adapters instead of hacking the wiring.

 

It works good. I did the swap on my car, except that I used an 87 harness. Only difference between the two is that the 87 is set up for dual fans, and is set up for the small-cap distributor, which I also used. The whole job is basically plug & play except that the bulkhead connector that goes through the kick panel is bigger on the 86+ harnesses, so you'll have to enlarge the hole approximately 1/4". Everything else just plugs right in.

 

What is the going price for a stock TPI harness?
Seeing as engine is not going into a F-Body your other option is to buy a new standalone engine harness;
plug and play with ECM (165 or 730 ) of your choice

Either ECM around $50 in the right places ; tunedperformanc usually has some for sale

730 is the speed density MAP setup ; cleaner install with no MAF sensor needed on the intake ducting
Air filter can mount directly onto the TB if required and cheaper harness $250 vs $300 for a new 165 MAF harness
Sell the 870 ECM to get some $$ back?

 

Well....Painless sells a MAF stand alone harness for ECM/PCM PN[1227165/16198259] for $425. And I'm not sure I really wanna go to MAP since MAP is less tolerant of changes & can't adapt itself as readily as MAF can to changes. And going from a single catted exhaust to a tryue dual with no cats plus plenum porting that I'll do will be a bit of a decdent change for the ECM to contend with. So $425 for new, Painless Performance, harness plus the ECM cost plus adapting it to the large cap dizzy or swapping out the dizzy. Swapping it would mean more cost or adapting the harness which I have no idea what needs to be done to do that.

Does anybody sell an adapter harness for small to large dizzy use? Painless already told me that they do not have a stand alone harness for a large cap dizzy.

 

get this and have the put on the large 4 wire end for the hei.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TPI-Speed-De...c78089&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Weather-Pack...9692eb&vxp=mtr

 

Sorry, no. That is for a MAP ECM & I am not going to switch to MAP. I am going to stay MAF.

 

ok than buy this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TPI-Mass-Air...item20ccc781dd

 

Thanks. I was looking on eBay but you found it faster. I hadn't thought of looking there until you posted the first one.

 

Do you have any 305 TPI/700R4 PROM ECMs in stock?

 

I do have several 165 ecm's and memcal and can reprogram the eprom for your needs. here is some of the memcals I have and I will work with pricing just pm me.

http://virtualjunkyard.org/thirdgen/...-proms-memcals