I am in the process of swapping my 1980 malibu over to TPI... will i have any problems from the computer by doing this swap? the motor has a pretty good sized cam, not sure of the numbers, but it is very noticible... i have heard something about disabling the v.a.t.s, anyone know of anymore problems i will probably run into?

 

People have swapped in a set of TFS heads and LT4 hot cam with the stock computer with no problems. I would need to know more about your car to give a better guess.

 

to be honest i wish i really knew more about the motor.. i got the wiring harness from the "computer-to-motor" thats the best way i can think to put it, so i wont have Service engine lights or anything like that... could that be a problem?i have all the relays that were under the hood of his car, and i have the extra wiring for the electic fans and the transmission...for now i still have the clutch fan on it.... i am also running a 350 turbo instead of the 700r. it wont mess with the computer if these are not plugged up will it?

 

The VATS system is only in the Corvette chips that I'm aware of.
I don't think the F-Bodies have them but I could be wrong.

The fans DO NOT have to be wired in now.
The Speed Sensor DOES NOT have to be wired in now.
The Park/Neutral switch DOES NOT have to be wired in now.

Here's what you need to TRIPLE check the wiring on (stuff that HAS TO BE WIRED IN NOW)

1) TPS
2) CTS
3) DISTRIBUTOR
4) ALL WIRES FROM DISTRIBUTOR TO ECM
5) MAF (if not speed density)
6) INJECTORS LEFT BANK
7) INJECTORS RIGHT BANK
8) +12 Constant To ECM
9) +12 Switched To ECM
10) MAP Sensor if Speed Density
11) ESC (Knock Sensor)
12) 02 Sensor
13 IAC
EDIT:
14) One I forgot... IAT a must have
15 Another one i forgot... MAF Burn Off Relay If MAF System
16 Another one I Forgot FUEL PUMP RELAY

IAC wiring is a little confusing at first look but becomes simple on the second or third look.

It will crank up and run without the ESC or the 02 but it won't run right and WILL throw codes on you for those items.

Check ALL the wiring with a VOM and MEASURE EVERYTHING THREE TIMES.
Check for all the grounds required by the ECM and the Left/Right Bank Injector wiring.

There seems to be seperate grounds back to the ECM for the TPS and some of the other sensors.

It's pretty easy to get it to run if you will CHECK ALL YOUR WIRING BEFOREHAND.

The Speed Sensor would be nice to have but it'll run like a screaming demon without it.
Ditto on the Park/Neutral switch.

I don't care if you bought a ready made harness or made your own, CHECK IT THREE TIMES before attempting to fire that puppy up.
My "store bought" harness had 4 wires pinned in the wrong positions... would have meant disaster if I'd not found it first.

No need to get slap happy and burn something up.

Good luck with it.

EDIT:
Note: This is all out of the old memory banks so sorry if I missed sumpin critical....

 

Some 88's and 89 up have VATS,

The computer wont care about the trans.

I'd try to hook up a light for the computer, otherwise you'll never know if something is wrong unless you have a scanner hooked up all the time.

 

is there any pictures of all the sensors on the internet? or do i need to buy a manual?i need something to refer to so i can make sure i have everything wired and ready to go...

 

All 89+ F bodies had/have VATS. if you put in a check engine light (and you should)and no TCC/VSS you'll get a light.

Try looking here for tips:
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Che...I_TBI_V-8.html
http://www.nastyz28.com/fuelie.html
http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~davis/z28/
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Instruction...structions.pdf
http://sethirdgen.org/tpi1.htm

 

There is no MIL for TCC or VSS.

You will not get a light on either one......

Edit: Correction

There is a "Magnetic Speed Senssor Installed' switch parameter in the the PROM...
Uncheck that parm.. and you will get no MIL for not having it.
Ditto on "Vats Select'.

You WILL be getting a custom chip for this so there's your first two parameters you can set.

 

There is no MIL for TCC or VSS.

You will not get a light on either one......

 

i forgot to mention this is from an 87 iroc.. so i guess it wont have Vats... anyother info i need to know about 87 systems?

 

Code 24...Failure in VSS
TCC has no feedback on TPI so no worry with that unless you are using a 200/700 R4, then you'll have no lock up

 

so a code 24 is all the codes it "should" throw? did the 87 year have a knock sensor? if so how do those hook up?

 

The knock sensor is a sensor that is mounted at the bottom of the block, passenger side. They put it in one of the coolant drain holes. I'd use it and yes it did have one.

I dont know about running without the VSS (probably doesnt matter since you arent using a lockup converter) but you can probably steal what you need off a later car like a Monte or El Camino, they have a sensor mounted on the speedo. One of those probably uses the same sorta setup you have in your Malibu if you decide to ever run the VSS.