New car, now what?

[jlbuick]

Hello, I just picked up an 85 and now I need to start to play with it. The main thing is the tranny - is there a step by step how to remove/ any special tools? I dont know much yet about car but I know it has 86-87 ignition, 30lb injectors/Ported Intake/GN107T cam/ i think stock chip, sounds like some vacuum leaks, runs ok but little rough...is there a program i can use to hook up my laptop to to tune, or is there another tool that i could use, im not real mechanical but ready to dive in with the boards help. im sure more questions to come but lets start here...thanks, John.

 

[Boost231]

Hello, I just picked up an 85 and now I need to start to play with it. The main thing is the tranny - is there a step by step how to remove/ any special tools? I dont know much yet about car but I know it has 86-87 ignition, 30lb injectors/Ported Intake/GN107T cam/ i think stock chip, sounds like some vacuum leaks, runs ok but little rough...is there a program i can use to hook up my laptop to to tune, or is there another tool that i could use, im not real mechanical but ready to dive in with the boards help. im sure more questions to come but lets start here...thanks, John.

I would get a powerlogger but your going to need to convert to an 87 ecm to use it. thats no big deal. as far as pulling the tranny its really not that hard. undue the cross member and un bolt the torque converter and then unbolt it from the block. very simple. the search key is your friend and gnttype.org is another good source of info.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Get a powerlogger and upgrade your ECM and chip. The powerlogger allows you to record test runs and review them at the bar. The data is displayed in simple graph form. Good luck. Brad

 

[jlbuick]

it has the 86-87 coil pack thing, does that mean the computer has been converted? do i buy chips for 86-87 now..the powerlogger/is it found used often..

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Pull the ECM out of the kick panel and read the part number off the frame. There are about six different GM cars that use the same ECM but not the same chip. Post this number and we can tell you what ECM you have. Thanks Brad

 

[Boost231]

as far as finding used powerloggers if you keep and eye out in the parts for sale section you can sometimes find them but you can also get them for pretty cheap new @ FULL THROTTLE SPEED - Store Front Page

 

[jlbuick]

cool, i will do that friday, thanks.

 

[jlbuick]

1226459 i think is what is says, is that the 86-87?

 

[luisturbog]

ecm # 1227148

if you need a 86/87 ecm i got an extra one for $75.
I take paypal.
you can e mail me or pm me. (luisturbog@gmail.com)
thanks. Luis.

 

[jlbuick]

I dont know if I need it, I posted kinda what i had and it has the newer 86-87 coil pack thing conversion but wasnt sure about the rest, i looked at the computer under kick panal and those were the numbers on it, is that the 86-87 computer, i want to start to tune and tweak, will get that powerscan thing in a couple weeks but what do i do about a chip for the combo i have. once i get used to the car and parts my questions should be a little clearer...i hope.

 

[coldair85GN]

The ECM number you posted is an 84-85 ECM. The reason you will want to upgrade to the 86-87 ECM is because you will have a MUCH easier time finding chip upgrades for it, it will allow you to see a LOT more data once you get a powerlogger or other scantool, and generally speaking the car will run better and get better mileage than with the older ECM. The 84-85 cars did not come with an MAT sensor (manifold air temp) and the newer ECM will look for that sensor. You can go to any wrecking yard and get an MAT sensor from any car that used the SFI 3800 V6 (front wheel drive cars..LeSabre, Park Ave, Olds Delta 88, 98 Regency, Pontiac Bonneville, etc) and wire it into the computer very easily. My car did not have the sensor so I wired one in and put the sensor behind the globe box door right by the ECM. The car will run fine without the MAT sensor but the Check Engine/Service Engine soon light will stay on. The 86-87 ECM is in my opinion one of the first things you should do. If you go to Turbo Regal Web Site there is a detailed procedure listed to swap yours out. It is VERY VERY easy to do and the car will run better.