Hi all or ya'll
I got a replacement for an old mega shifter (1996 version) which came with the car (85 Camaro 305 sport), as it now will start in gear, which is scary. I did adjust the flimsy neutral and reverse switch setup a few years ago, which is still in the car as of now, but now again is a problem

I removed the shift plate and boot and can see there was no relay wired to it, just the 4 wires going to the shifter mounted switches . The 2024 version now comes with a relay, (but still retains the flimsy neutral and reverse setup)

I have since modified the car by removing all ECM related components. ie carb, distributor and got rid of 30 ft of ecm wiring and various attached gadgets all over the place. Now have a clean 1960's engine compartment look under the hood.

I have two questions please:
1. Do I need the relay? (what will not work without it, if I have no ECM. I don't have much knowledge of wiring and relays.
2. I still haven't done the recommended 700r4 converter lockup kit thing, which seems to only perform the lockup when in overdrive 4th gear, not 3rd gear as well. Thus, If I don't ever go over 50 MPH and only drive to a few local car shows and cruises per month, and stay in 3rd gear, would I be gaining anything (safety of the transmission) with the conversion kit installed. Pls help me understand this.
Thank-you in advance for your help
Tom

 

You shouldn't need the ECM at all for your shifter. The ECM on factory stuff needed to see a ground or something like that. When you wire things back up you'll just omit those 2 wires.

I wired up a NSS and backup light switch on my Hurst pistol grip quarter stick shifter and I just capped the wires and everything works as it should