Computer juggling

[DeWynter]

Can or has anyone ever put a 1994 LT1 computer into a TPI car? I can get the harnes and computer for cheap and I can add a MAP sensor to my current plenum, I really want the sequential EFI and tuning options for bigger displacment and higher MAF capability.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

There might be a problem with the computer not seeing the optispark ignition cranking & running pulses. It might not run because of that. Also you would have to have most of the correct sensors and abiltiy to program out the VATs and other diagnostic checks. If it is an automatic pcm, you might have to run a 6 speed program so that the computer doesn't look for the VSS that's normally in the trans tailshaft. Fred's a pretty good expert on this, I'm pretty sure he can add to my reply.

[TraceZ]

There might be a problem with the computer not seeing the optispark ignition cranking & running pulses. It might not run because of that. Also you would have to have most of the correct sensors and abiltiy to program out the VATs and other diagnostic checks. If it is an automatic pcm, you might have to run a 6 speed program so that the computer doesn't look for the VSS that's normally in the trans tailshaft. Fred's a pretty good expert on this, I'm pretty sure he can add to my reply.

Correct. It wont run. The PCM needs the input from the opti to time the injectors and spark. no opti = no fuel or spark.

[DeWynter]

Technicly speaking one could replace tha opti with a simular system and still use the distributer. I will have to do some thinking on how to work around it but Im sure I can do it. It will just take some designing of replacement parts.

[TraceZ]

Technicly speaking one could replace tha opti with a simular system and still use the distributer. I will have to do some thinking on how to work around it but Im sure I can do it. It will just take some designing of replacement parts.

The easiest way would be to have a machine shop make a distributor base that will mate to an opti. I know a guy that could do it, but it would not be cheap. If you were going to spend the $$ to have it designed and built it would be a good idea to market it and sell it.

Once that was made, you could install LT1 FI on any first generation SBC. Getting the opti off the front of the motor would also make it more reliable because it would not be so prone to getting wet. The only downside would be that it would lose some accuracy by not being driven directly off the front of the cam. The additional gear in the distributor shaft would add some slop into the system.

[DeWynter]

I was thinking one could put the optical sensor on the crank, but you would still be getting slop from the timing chain. I guess it six or a half dozen of the other as they say. Now what I need is a busted opti to get mesuments from! I was thinking I can do all my machining myself and do the design in autoCAD. anyone got an opti they want to ship to me? Any best guesses how much timeing you would lose to the distributer?, im guessing not more than a few deg.

[TraceZ]

I was thinking one could put the optical sensor on the crank, but you would still be getting slop from the timing chain. I guess it six or a half dozen of the other as they say. Now what I need is a busted opti to get mesuments from! I was thinking I can do all my machining myself and do the design in autoCAD. anyone got an opti they want to ship to me? Any best guesses how much timeing you would lose to the distributer?, im guessing not more than a few deg.

You cannot put it on the crank. It needs input from the cam. The crank turns 4 times for every single rotation on the cam. Input from the crank would confuse it.

[DeWynter]

A small decoder could be made to translate.