Re: Crane Cams Engine Management System (EMS) for CCC system
OK, here's what happened:
Crane Cams developed the EPS too early in my opinion. What I mean by that is I don't know of very many people who modify their brand new cars, certainly not like you can today. Remember, this was the mid 80s and computer control on vehicles was in its infancy. The project was already dead at the point where people were just beginning to understand and modify this new technology, and their cars now had some miles on them. Fuel injection was already replacing the computer-controlled carbs. And there was no internet and sites such as this to discuss these kinds of topics. Basically, you were on your own.
So Crane Cams developed this completely adjustable replacement computer - not just a chip. And they addressed every shortcoming of the GM CCC system. The following is from my aging memory. I can get more correct info when I dig them out of my closet. You had control of the Mixture Control Solenoid, the 3 parts of the electronic timing: static, vacuum, & centrifugal, the torque converter lockup, a mode switch for Emissions, Performance, & Open Loop for off-road use
🙂 , and other functions I can't remember right now. It also has a basic narrow band rich/lean indicator to monitor the mixture via the O2 sensor.
In an older Crane catalog I have, the unit's price was $500. Too rich for my blood. Sometime later, I don't remember how or where, but I saw it was selling for $200, I believe. I called Crane and got to talk to the engineer that headed the project. He told me that the unit I would receive would be a little bit different than pictured on the box. He went on to tell me that the EPA (EMISSIONS) got wind of the amount of control this had over the engine, esp. OPEN LOOP MODE, and they were told that if they wanted to continue selling it, they had to modify it or scrap the whole project. So Crane had no choice but to modify, which killed about 75% of what the unit was designed for.
This was the reason for the lower price, and if and when the units were all sold, or by whatever a certain date was - the project was dead and the remaining units were going in the dumpster. So this engineer's days at Crane were already coming to an end, and he was not too happy.
😢
So I ordered 1 unit and since I am an electronic technician, I could easily see how it was modified. I had it back to their original design before I ever plugged it into my car for the first time!
It worked very well on my stock plus a few upgrades H code engine, and I needed this thing because I was planning a hot 334 build, and there was talk of CT adopting California emissions standards at the time.
A short while later, I called Crane again and ordered a spare EPS. I talked to the same engineer, and told him how I put it back to original, which he appreciated. Since his job was all done, he really didn't care about sharing any "secrets". So along with the spare EPS, he included some paperwork. I don't want to say what it was here, because even though its 20 years later, and the new Crane is not the old Crane (you all know they went out of business in 2009 and S&S Cycle bought them), I don't want to get myself or that engineer in trouble.
MORE TO COME LATER.
