You do need a computer and some but not all the sensors of a modern car. I used an Accel computer(the older gen 6 version). With Alpha N tuning you don't need much in the way of sensors. The main brain as far as sensors are concerned is the throttle position sensor(TPS). Not only does it control the fuel map but also does the timing if the dist. is computer controlled. I used the small HEI from Camero/Firebirds 88-92 or full size V8 truck 88-95(?). A map sensor is not needed. You could get away without an air temp sensor but a water temp. sensor will make warm-ups easier. You need an Idle Air controller(IAC) to let the computer control the idle(warm-ups, a/c, and auto. trans. engagement). A knock sensor can be used to help protect the engine should the timing map be wrong. It shouldn't be used as part of the timing control though because when it sences detonation it pulls the timing back to a safe margin which in turn is not an optimum setting. Right now I'm in the middle of doing an Enderle(similar to the Hilborn seen above) for the 421. I'm trying to set it up to tune in a conventional manner using a map sensor to fine tune the fuel and timing maps. A vaccum line has to connect to each port below the butterfly which in turn is connected to a common manifold. This will supply a vacuum sorce for the map sensor. I also need another set of eight vacuum lines, to go to a manifold, to supply vaccum for a pcv. Then I need eight more lines connected to a manifold which is connected to the IAC. This supplies makeup air to control the idle. I wanted these lines to be hidden so I've run all the lines and manifolds under the intake. from the underside of the intake I have three lines coming out the rear of the intake which will go to respected places. Very busy looking under the intake with 27 vacuum lines and three manifolds. All for the sake of making the intake look simple and uncluttered above. Sorry for the long post. You're not asleep yet are you?
