Computer went up in smoke.. Literally

[balderman]

the other day I was putting the car up to change the oil. When pulling up into the stands the motor raced and smore strated coming out from behind the passenger kick panel. After changing the oil and cleaning the filter I tried to start the car, it ran, but would not idle, it would race, then stall, doing all sorts of crazy stuff.

I ended up trailering it to the shop where I fould the computer to be fried.

I am looking for suggestions for replacement. I have 2 options right now I am looking at.

1) going with an older computer from an 87-93 era, will cost about $700.00
2) going with a new performance computer $2500.00

Any other suggestions, specific projects and models would be helpful.

thanks

 

[Rootus]

1) going with an older computer from an 87-93 era, will cost about $700.00
2) going with a new performance computer $2500.00

How about this -- neither one .

Going to an A9L is expensive, and all you get is another stock Ford computer.

An aftermarket computer is very expensive, as you mention, and won't get you any benefit unless you are planning *really serious* mods down the road.

If I were you, I'd get a J4J1 Cobra computer and a TwEECer/PMS/chip/etc. I would also get a MAF correctly calibrated for the Cobra computer, so that you have a viable "limp home" setup in case the tuning device fails for some reason.

Dave

 

[madams74]

I have a computer I will sell you you for $100.00 and it is for a stock 95 with an AODE. GUARANTEED!! The insurance totalled the car but I now have it back as salvage.

 

[balderman]

I have a computer I will sell you you for $100.00 and it is for a stock 95 with an AODE. GUARANTEED!! The insurance totalled the car but I now have it back as salvage.

thanks for the offer, but the Stock 95 computer ran the 345 gt-40 Crate motor like crap. Kind of a blessing in disguise that it fried.

 

[balderman]

How about this -- neither one .

Going to an A9L is expensive, and all you get is another stock Ford computer.

An aftermarket computer is very expensive, as you mention, and won't get you any benefit unless you are planning *really serious* mods down the road.

If I were you, I'd get a J4J1 Cobra computer and a TwEECer/PMS/chip/etc. I would also get a MAF correctly calibrated for the Cobra computer, so that you have a viable "limp home" setup in case the tuning device fails for some reason.

Dave

The only other serious Mod I am planning next spring is putting either the vortec back on of switching the KB twin screw.

I am willing to spend the extra money for reliability.. if the car runs good Than I will be happy.

I am going to look into the J4J1 to see if worth saving the money.

Thanks for the input every but helps.

 

[ProKiller]

if u get it tuned by someone, the stock computer with a chip should be fine. the guy in pottstown just got into burning chips. Performance Specialties, right off of High street. (610)326-7000 might give them a call. talk to Matt.

 

[balderman]

if u get it tuned by someone, the stock computer with a chip should be fine. the guy in pottstown just got into burning chips. Performance Specialties, right off of High street. (610)326-7000 might give them a call. talk to Matt.

O got a Larocca chip put in and the car ran fine as long as you did not want it to idle. If you take you foot off the gas and the push in the clutch a few seconds later the motor would drop below 500 rpms, then it would stall...

I have given up on the chips.. I am going to take my car to performace Specialties.. they are the ones that suggested the the older computer of an aggressive computer.

 

[Killercanary]

Do what you want, but there is no way I'd do the A9L conversion. I'd rather spend the money on an AEM, FAST, SOMETHING before I did that. I'm surprised Jimmy couldn't get rid of the idle issues. Are you running the fox TYB setup? I see a 70mm FMS TB listed and I know they don't make one for our cars... there could be a problem there with the IAC and such.

 

[blksn955.o]

Get a stock replacement and also get a tweecerR/T or a PMS like mentioned above. The older processor is as stated like a step back. Yes the sn 5.0 computer is a bit funky stock, but add a tuner to that and you should be rockin.
you dont have to get a cobra ecu if you get a tweecer as you can just change the base program to that of the cobra or whatever, there are 5 settings for 4 diff. tunes (the 5th is an off that goes to the original factory ecu tune).

TweecerR/T new = $550
cobra ecu, or even stock GT ecu = $50-100
money way better spent and also about the same as what you would spend to have a stock ecu still processing a non-stock engine, that would still need a tuner or chip of some kind custom for your motor.

**side note** I have read alot of bad things about Larocaa(sp?) on the tuneing side of things for other people. not to say he is a bad shop I have no personal exp. but he seems to not have the time needed to give quality to all the tuning side of things.

 

[balderman]

Do what you want, but there is no way I'd do the A9L conversion. I'd rather spend the money on an AEM, FAST, SOMETHING before I did that. I'm surprised Jimmy couldn't get rid of the idle issues. Are you running the fox TYB setup? I see a 70mm FMS TB listed and I know they don't make one for our cars... there could be a problem there with the IAC and such.

I am thinking of getting the AEM computer... Spending the moeny is not really important to me.. I just want the car to run decent...