I have a couple question regarding the article at:
http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~davis/z28/ecm_swap/

I know few of the people here have done the swap and know what is exactly involved. Before I start yankin' wires I want to know some more info.

* Do the ALL ECM connectors from the 870 get retained?

* " Relay Harness plugs can be ordered thru a GM dealer under P/N 12101922 for about $25 each. -- Thanks to Kevin Irving for this tip"

what exactly are those plugs? $25 is a lot for just the end fittings for the relays. Or are they the relay harness themself?

* Is anybody able to clearify what they didn't understand in the article before they did it.

It looks pretty simple but it is still intimidating because I know there is the potential for misinterpretation.


James

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1985 Z-28 305 TPI 223,000+ mi., Original Eng.,T-Tops,Blue/Grey
STB,SFC,GW "wonderbar",145 Speedo

 

Yes. All that you have to do are the repinnings like Mike outlined in his page. I know when he did mine he made sure to label each one before he pulled them just to be safe

The harnesses are just that, harnesses. No matter how hard I looked through the boneyards I couldn't find the doggone things. If the F-body was a TPI, it usually had the whole system yanked. I even looked up what other vehicles used that part # and still no luck. The relays were about $13 at GM but about $9 at any auto parts store.

That's why I drove 5 hours to Mike's house to have someone who KNEW what they were doing handle it. I think I was his first "customer". I was just as intimidated if not more.

------------------
Kevin Irving
85 Trans Am WS-6, 305 TPI, custom burned '86 PROM with '87 "165"ECM, Accel Supercoil & 8.8 Wires, Rapidfire #2 @ .055", MSD 6AL, 1.6:1 Roller tipped rockers, Homemade AFPR, K&N cone, no airbox, Aluminum Driveshaft, Wonderbar, TB Coolant Bypass, Ported Plenum, Descreened MAF, Syclone Fuel Pump, JET Airfoil, Mobil 1 synth in all but transmission.

15.556 @ 86.65mph, Nov 10, 2000.... I know it sucks.. but it will get better!

http://www.geocities.com/transam85tpi/

Member - The Tidewater Trans Am Club, Norfolk VA http://www.geocities.com/ttacva/

[This message has been edited by Kevin Irving (edited May 03, 2001).]

 

about the P/N 12101922 harness:

the word plug through me off. So that harness and the relays are the only "foreign" parts I need (besides the ECM)?

Do I need a harness for each one (qty 2) or does one harness do it for both relays?

TPIs and harnesses are ripped out before the public can get a whack at them around here. I feel your pain.

Did Mike have to enlarge the hole where the wiring enters the interrior?

Thanks,
James

 

oops... goofed this one up... read below

[This message has been edited by Kevin Irving (edited May 03, 2001).]

 

Yes, but just make sure the ECM has the PROM inside it, as the 85 and 86-89 PROMs aren't interchangeable.

Yep, you need two harnesses.

No. The only reason you would have to enlarge the hole in the firewall would be so you could put the relays in the engine compartment. I just tucked mine under the dash. The only wires that are cut/spliced/repinned are right there at the ECM if I remember correctly.

 

Looks like I'm all set for now. Thanks for helping me out.

James