Hi all
I have a 1987 Camaro (base model) with a 305 H.O. from an '87 Firechicken Formula. My question is...

Can I remove the electronics and do up this engine with older parts to get rid of the ECU and other computer controlled components? The car does have a carburetor already so I am thinking it wouldnt really take too much to do this...But I was working on a friend's '65 Impala today and it made me wonder. What would it take to get my engine bay looking and working as simply as his? Does the TH350 trans need the computer for shift points? Honestly just want to rip it all out and have my '87 use a fuel and electrical system similar to it's ancestors?

P.S.--Dont care if it's a lot of work...I have nothing but time to invest in this thing so no biggie.

Thanks for any help on this.

 

Yes you can. For the engine to run, all you need is a stand-alone distributor.
A T350 trans doesn't need a computer, but your car should have a 700R4 unless it's been changed. The 700 is computer controlled to an extent, but you can buy an aftermarket controller to make it operate on it's own.
You would also have to rig your cooling fan with an aftermarket temperature control, or wire it to a relay and switch.
That's the major stuff. Obviously, you'll still have some other rewiring to do as well.
I know what you're after, sometimes nothing beats simplicity. Just make sure it's all worth it.

 

Great! Thanks for the reply!
I was doing some reading on http://www.thirdgen.org and I did get some good info.

Basically, I can replace the HEI distributor with a non-HEI one, and then take out the ECM. Yeah? Do I need to change the carb as well? The one that is on there is a Qjet and it makes me wonder if it is one of the 'computer-controlled' Qjets that I have been reading about. I wish the car was right outside so I could just go look, but its about 100 miles away currently.

I guess I could be wrong about the trans. Could be a 700R4--Is there a way to check quickly?

 

You want to have an older style non-computer HEI distributor, or an aftermarket electronic type. Your existing HEI unit is computer controlled, so it won't work.
You can tell what trans you have by looking at the pan: http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-transm...tification.php
And you'll have to look at your carb to see if it's computer controlled. Wasn't 87 the first year for TBI? I can't remember off the top of my head. If your car was converted to carb, I highly doubt somebody would have made it comp. controlled.

 

Alright. Thanks again for the info. Looking at the pans on that page, it looks like mine is a 700R4--Nice bookmark.

I believe the Carb is original, so I assume it is not ECU controlled. It does have an electronic choke on it, however. I will be rebuilding the carb I guess since most of the things I have read online state that the Rochester QJet is a decent performing carb when modded and tuned properly. Any thoughts on that?

 

That's a "to each their own" thing. Some like the Quadrajunks (I may have mis-spelled it?), and some don't.
Others like Holley, or Edelbrock/Carter. Quadrajets work fine, when they're working fine. If you're more familiar with them, and it's working well, then stick with it.