Computer conversion questions

[King Cobra 22]

I have an AODE 94 gt and will be doing H/C/I. I am now looking to do a auto A9P computer conversion.

My questions are:
1.) I was told to get the 93 computer to do the conversion does it matter what year I get? Would it be the same if I got like a 91 or 90 auto computer?

2.)When doing the conversion will my car run differently then with the stock 94-95 computer? I heard I wouldn't get cruise control and you can't scan for codes also.Is that true?

3.)What is everything I would need for the conversion? Just The computer and wiring harness and MAF?

 

[greenlantern]

As long as it is between an 87-93 A9L computer you should be ok. As far as cruise control goes that didn't change I still had that after the conversion.

In order to do the conversion your going to have to go with an after market ignition like MSD. You will need to get either the harness to plug in the new computer or you'll need to repin the one you have.

The A9L works great for your basic bolt ons and allows you to maintain idle and gain improved performance from the stock 94-95 computer. However once your mods get beyond baisc bolt ons your gonna have to either go the direction of a chip like I did or some sort of tweecer or PMS.

It was a decent mod that I am happy with but if I had to do it again I think I would have just done a PMS. In the end I would have spent the same amount of money and wouldn't have to rely on some tunner to reburn the chip.

 

[HISSIN50]

I might have missed it, but are you planning on running a stand-alone puter for the AODE? The foxes (A9P is the auto MAF puter) dont use any electronics for the automatic.

Good luck.

 

[HISSIN50]

FWIW, A9L is the manual trans, MAF fox puter. MAF did not start in 50 states till 89, do dont get an earlier puter.

Good luck.

 

[Don 95Vert]

Here's the deal, figure the cost of the older EEC, the cost of the wiring, the time it takes to install it. And since the A9L will not control your tranny, and you need that, the cost of a Bauman controller or full manual valve body and the time and money to install all that. Figure all that before you do it. And then figure what you'll get as a result of your time and money - a car with a stock EEC, with something to control the transmission that is about 10 levels below the EEC that you just replaced.

Now figure the cost of chip ($269 from us - SCT) to do all that you aim to do and more - a chip can improve auto shifting, improve the spark curve and fuel curve and get rid of all the bad things in an SN95 EEC. If you are real ambitious, get a TwEECer, EEC Tuner or Pro Racer package and do the tuning yourself.

Hope this helps,
Don

 

[King Cobra 22]

I might have missed it, but are you planning on running a stand-alone puter for the AODE? The foxes (A9P is the auto MAF puter) dont use any electronics for the automatic.

Good luck.

I was told to get a A9P auto computer because my car would run better with H/C/I then it would with the stock 94-95 computer.

I just wasn't sure what stuff I would need when buying the conversion kit.Isn't it just the computer,wiring harness and the MAF that I would need to do the conversion?

 

[HISSIN50]

You also need to consider things like a fan controller, etc.

In the end you have a more archaic management system (the SN puters are faster and have better self-diagnostics than the A9's. But the SN puters were stuck with a poopy factory tune - it is not the computer itself though).

If you search under "PIH conversion" you should find lots of info on what is needed for the conversion. However, Don stated it quite well and accurately.

A chip or TwEECer would be the same cost or perhaps less in the long run. When deciding upon the options Don mentioned, decide if you are going to do more upgrades in the future (and will they be gradual), and if you have the inclination to learn TwEECer-ism. The Chip is quick and easy (I have thought long and hard about it myself. I would love a TwEECer but they are pricey).

BTW, Don, I had not noticed you posting in here too much before. I always enjoyed reading your posts on the Corral so it is nice to see you in here.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

FWIW, I wouldn't get the Fox computer. Grady will probably explain it best, but stepping down to the older computer because it's more mod friendly isn't always the easiest/best way to do it. Don 95Vert had the best idea to me, because of all the additional items you'd need to cover, in order for your AODE to still work. From what I've heard, the Fox computer is more forgiving to mods because it isn't as sensitive to changes read by the sensors, being older technology. In my opinion, you could accomplish everything you're looking to do, and then some by sticking with the factory computer, and getting it tuned. All of your drivability issues could be covered with a tune on your stock EEC.

 

[Don 95Vert]

An A9P IS an auto computer, except the Fox bodies had AODs, which are not computer controlled. You have an AODE which IS computer controlled. The A9P is used for the AOD's because it has different fuel and spark curves and a few other little changes, but it does not have the hardware to control an AODE. And you don't want to downgrade to an AOD either.

Hiisin50, Thanks! I probably have been posting here since the beginning - I posted less here when I had my Kenne Bell, because over at the Corral we had a 'fraternity' of sorts of KB owners. But since that is gone and most of the old KB crowd I knew don't post anymore, I have more time to come over here too.

 

[final5-0]

King

Remember what I told you on the Corral about the guy who advised you to do the pcm retro fit?

Don is totally the opposite from that guy and he is giving you factual info.

You can talk about tuning a h/c/i 94-95 Stang for best drivability & max power until your blue in the face

however ...... you are always gonna end up with the same outcome

Chip it or Self Tune it

Grady

 

[King Cobra 22]

Well guys I would get a chip but when I went to go talk to the guy at performance shop he said the chip isn't as good as the computer swap and he insisted on me getting the a9p computer before he would do any H/C/I work on my car.Now I know what your're all thinking that this guy must be a moron.He does good work on cars(had all my work done by him) and his prices are pretty good and he is local.I looked around for some other shops and everyone recomended I get performance work done by him.I did however find a performance shop about 30 mile away from my house and the guy was a complete rip off on parts and installation.

Everytime I come to the local performance shop and bring up the word tune/chip he just tells me my car still wouldn't be running as good as it would with the computer conversion. So here I am looking for a conversion kit and trying to find out info on it.Because as soon as I get the conversion done the sooner I can get my H/C/I done.

You would think he must not know how to tune cars but believe me he does.I've seen him dyno and tune anything from lightnings with nitrous to 9 second mustangs.So I know he knows how to tune cars.

I know most of you if not all recomend a chip but since this guy insists I get the computer conversion I think really thats my only option If I want that guy to do work on my stang.Now I need to get a few things straight.

Would my car and tranny not function right with an A9p or would everything run pretty much the same as my stock computer?

He told me I need the computer,wiring harness and a fan controller switch (something like that).When buying from somebody is that basically all I need in order to do the conversion and swap computers?

When I buy the fan controller switch does that usually come with the computer and wiring harness or is that something different that I have to look for and buy?

Finally are there any bad sides or cons with having the A9p computer instead of my computer now? I know it has older technology and all but will my car not function as well as it would with the stock computer?

Thanks so much everyone.You have all been alot of help!

 

[HISSIN50]

To answer some of your questions, re-read some of the earlier posts. The A9P simply will NOT control your transmission (the E in AODE = electronic). A9P's run AOD's (mechanical transmissions, which use a TV cable).

Personally I would have to look up with a PIH kit came with. A search would be revealing for you.

The simple question for your mechanic would be to ask how he plans to control your AODE with the A9P.

Good luck.

 

[Don 95Vert]

Unless he's going to leave your current EEC in place as a tranny controller (talk about complexity), then the transmission will not function. I hate to say this, but if he thinks the A9P will control an AODE, then he is clueless - he's probably a really nice guy and really good 'old school' racer, but the fact is he's 100% wrong if that's what he said.

The A9x series of EECs are good - and they are simpler to tune, but the later processors are very flexible and really good processors. Simple doesn't mean better.

We have no reason to lead you astray, we are just trying to help you out so you can avoid an expensive mistake. I know these cars and processors pretty well...

How about this, ask him if he is 100% sure the A9P will control the tranny - and if he says yes, than make him a deal. Tell him if it doesn't, you want it put back to stock and get double your money back. Be sure to get it in writing and notorized. Then when it doesn't, send me half the $$$ LOL!!

 

[King Cobra 22]

I will ask him tommarow that question how he plans to control the AODE with the A9P.

I should have an answer on what he says some time tommarow around this time.

Thank you guys alot.

 

[95cobradude]

let me ask u this, u said u have seen this guy tuning 9 sec stangs and nitroused lightnings, well what is he using to tune these cars? he has to be using something and if he is why can't he use it for your car?

 

[King Cobra 22]

let me ask u this, u said u have seen this guy tuning 9 sec stangs and nitroused lightnings, well what is he using to tune these cars? he has to be using something and if he is why can't he use it for your car?

I ask myself the same question.I know he knows how to tune yet I don't get why he is backing away from having my car tuned.The only things I can come up with is maybe he likes working with the older computers or doesn't think it's necessary to be tuned.I don't know.I do know he said even with a tune/chip my car still wouldn't run as good as it would with the computer conversion.Maybe he doesn't like or isn't good at tuning the computer in 94-95 stangs?

I forgot to mention he did tell me that once I did the computer conversion I would not need a tune/chip with the A9P.

I'm very anxious to talk to him tommarow about how he plans to control the AODE with the A9P like some of you have mentioned. I'll see what he says and let you guys know what was said.

 

[95cobradude]

i have a 95 cobra and i had the same bs with the idle problems and i was also thinking about doing a conversion to a 93 style computer but i have a chip now and its so much better and cleaner. those conversion kits a are a pain to install and i would think that u would need some tuning anyhow. i have an autologic chip now but it needs to be reburned because i changed my intake but i am actually gonna have a guy who uses superchips software burn a whole new chip, for 2 reasons: 1-he has a mustang dyno which is supposedly better for tuning cars than a regular dynojet and 2- i dont wanna bring it back to the knuckleheads that burned the autologic chip for me.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

If he thinks your car doesn't need a tune once you swap the Fox computer in, I'd walk away just based on that. Head over to the 5.0 Tech section, and see the issues people have with their untuned Foxes, and you'll see why. They have idle and drivability issues, too. He may have done all of your work, so you feel comfortable with him continuing to work on the car, but I'd find a tuner who is interested in working with the 94-95 computer. I don't doubt this guy is a skilled mechanic, but my only hangup with that idea is, so are a lot of the dealership techs. Call a few highly regarded tuners, and ask their opinion about the PIH swap with no tune, with a tune, and tuning the 94-95 computer. You'll probably get mixed results, with some recommending the swap, but they'll all say for the most power/effeciency/drivability, a tune is a must.

 

[King Cobra 22]

Ok guys got back from the performance shop and got GOOD NEWS!!!!!

I told him about the A9p computer and my AODE and right there is what changed everything....He thought my car was a 5 speed and what he meant by the conversion was to get the A9L computer.He apologized over and over and felt bad for having me looking around for the conversion kit.
Well all this looking around and sweat for nothing...well actually it was worth something I learned alot about the whole conversion thing.

As far as tuning my car he told me that he would get a chip and put my car on the dyno and have a custom dyno tune and he'll make my car run like a "charm".
I'm so glad this computer conversion BS is out of the way!

I'm also glad I came here to ask questions because without you guys I would of spent money on a computer conversion kit for nothing.Thanks alot guys!

Anyways I supposed to go see him again some time next week to possibly order parts and setup an installation date.

I can't wait!

 

[final5-0]

The pcm retro fit thing has been around for so long.

I guess you can't expect peeps to not just keep passing the info along even though it has become outdated.

I have seen on the forums over the past several months more than one time that Dallas Mustang still tells peeps to do the retrofit.

A place as big as that and as much tuning as they do ...... I would think they would not recommend that method of tuning for our cars.

Then again ..................

I do wanna make it clear, that info is hear say and I have not called DM to make sure one way or the other.

Grady