OK, so I finally got sick and tired of chasing down my sputtering issue and I want to do the big 3 common underhood improvements - MC2150, ECM Test, HEI Distributor - all together, in one batch. I will be ordering one of GRONK's kits (with manual choke), including the distributor upgrade.
I understand the purpose of doing all 3 for most people, including me: Simplifying the car, and improving its driving characteristics. That is to say - more responsiveness, more power, less clutter and complexity when working on the car under the hood in the future.
HOWEVER, while I have a good GENERAL understanding of what the process will be, I am less clear on exactly what will be removed (I want to have the 258 "backdated" to a pre-emissions configuration, and simplified to the Max in all other ways) by the end. So, a few questions (and assumptions, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), for clarity's sake:
1: Will the only thing left connected vacuum-wise be vacuum advance and 4WD?
2: Will I be able to remove the ignition control module? (I have seen it mentioned a few times in conjunction with the HEI distributor upgrade when done with the ECM Test bypass)
3: I believe I still have a factory catalytic converter. If it's not blown out by now, will removing the pulse air injection system necessitate removing/replacing the cat? I have read that original catalytic converters required pulse air so they didn't melt down. (BTW: I have had it checked out, it is not the source of my eagle sputtering on acceleration. It is free-flowing enough). I am assuming yes.
4: How many engine-related sensors will I still need by the end, considering I have an automatic transmission and will be using a manual choke? (Not for long, but I will still use the automatic trans for a while before swapping an AX-15 in its place)
5: is it theoretically possible to find a way to delete the engine control module altogether? I want this eagle SIMPLE, and I mean it. I am guessing that such a delete might require a manual transmission first.
Forgive any ignorance on my part, I'm not a professional mechanic... this is a pretty daunting project for me at the moment, but once I get started I'm sure it'll get easier. I just need to get my head on straight first, and having the end goals be clearer will help a lot with that.