I have an 84 chevette project car. I'm pretty sure the ECU is fried or shorting out. Its runs crappy sometimes, great others and the code reader can't read it. I'm thinking about just getting an older style carb like the one on my 79 and eliminating the computer. What problems might I run into? this is just so I can drive the car some until I can get a V6.
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April 22, 2009 4:18 p.m. mrdontplay Reader
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April 22, 2009 4:19 p.m. Bobzilla Reader
Grab the Distributor too. Not sure how much control the primitive computer has...
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April 22, 2009 5:38 p.m. mrdontplay Reader
I'm pretty sure it's still vacuum advance, does that make a difference?
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April 22, 2009 6:47 p.m. Jensenman SuperDork
If that's a C3 computer carb setup you shouldn't have any problems as long as it is a vacuum dizzy and I believe electronic timing didn't show up until GM went with fuel infection (the old TBI systems).
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April 22, 2009 10:53 p.m. kcbhiw Reader
Shall I dare say skip the carb and go MegaSquirt?
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April 23, 2009 12:17 a.m. Nashco SuperDork
kcbhiw wrote:
Shall I dare say skip the carb and go MegaSquirt?
+1
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April 23, 2009 1:26 a.m. Trans_Maro Reader
Jensenman wrote:
If that's a C3 computer carb setup you shouldn't have any problems as long as it is a vacuum dizzy and I believe electronic timing didn't show up until GM went with fuel infection (the old TBI systems).
I don't know about the Chevettes but the '81 TTA with a CCC ECU also had full electronic timing control.
The giveaway will be if your distributor has a vacuum can as Jensenman said.
Shawn
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April 23, 2009 7:50 a.m. GVX19 New Reader
Nashco wrote:
kcbhiw wrote:
Shall I dare say skip the carb and go MegaSquirt?
+1
+1
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April 23, 2009 10:02 a.m. oldopelguy HalfDork
Not sure megasquirt actually works with a computer controlled carb guys....
Just swap on a Weber carb like every one else and you'll be fine.
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April 23, 2009 10:07 a.m. skruffy Dork
You'd have to switch to a TBI setup or something to megasquirt. I'd imagine a carb that'll work could be had from a junkyard for $20 or so. A megasquirt will be much more than that.
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April 23, 2009 10:34 a.m. ClemSparks SuperDork
I'll also say that my experience (with an '83 Z28) leads me to believe you'll want to swap the distributor as well. However, that's based on a Z28...I'm not sure about the Chevette.
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April 23, 2009 10:48 a.m. 96DXCivic Reader
oldopelguy wrote:
Not sure megasquirt actually works with a computer controlled carb guys....
Just swap on a Weber carb like every one else and you'll be fine.
+1
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April 23, 2009 11:26 a.m. Nashco SuperDork
oldopelguy wrote:
Not sure megasquirt actually works with a computer controlled carb guys....
Just swap on a Weber carb like every one else and you'll be fine.
Perhaps not, but Megasquirt does work with a TBI unit, which adapts just as easily as a Weber carb. Sure, it'd cost more for the MS, but the rest of it (TBI, fuel pump, etc.) is super cheap. TBI unit from a GM 4 cylinder, external fuel pump from a Ford van/truck, and a handful of sensors from the GM 4 cylinder you pull the TBI off...less than $100 at the junkyard. As a bonus, when he upgrades to another engine the MS, sensors, and fuel pump will work on that application too, while his Weber would be undersized and useless to him. A little more effort now will save effort in the long run.
I just swapped MS in place of a Weber 2 barrel on my Volvo 122. Totally worth it.
Bryce
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April 23, 2009 12:01 p.m. maroon92 SuperDork
megasquirt is exprensive!
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April 23, 2009 12:21 p.m. Nashco SuperDork
maroon92 wrote:
megasquirt is exprensive!
It's all relative, I suppose. Even brand new ones are only $140 from diyautotune.com and of course if you're good at finding deals there are used ones out there much cheaper than that. I thought that was pretty cheap.
Bryce
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April 23, 2009 3:21 p.m. mrdontplay Reader
kcbhiw wrote:
Shall I dare say skip the carb and go MegaSquirt?
This is just to get it running good enough that I can drive it until I get the V6. Once the V6 goes in the 1.6 is going on an engine stand, getting a turbo,FI, getting build, and waiting for another vette to come along. That will require megasquirt.
