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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
 Posted - 01/25/2009 : 10:15:07
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It's been a long time in the planning stages but my ongoing quest to ditch the carb and go EFI is finally coming together. The current Holley Truck Avenger carb, although a very good carb, is not suited well for my application.
The AMC line of V8's have never had a fuel injected version offered. So any type of EFI setup for these engines is either very, very expensive, or very much a custom Do-It-Yourself setup. Not having gobs of cash to spend I chose the DIY route.
Some of you are most likely saying... "Why not just go with an out of box fuel injected engine?". Something like a 4.0L, or fuel injected 350, etc. And honestly, the thought has crossed my mind. However, the engine I have runs strong, has very little KMs on it since the rebuild, and it is already in there, no new fabrication required. But I also love AMC V8's. The engine I have produces a retarded amount of low end torque, most of it not far off idle, perfect for my application.
So here's the plan:
- Scavenge a throttle body (rebuild if needed), ECM, and required sensors from a donor gm truck with a 5.7L.
- Order the DIY EFI kit from Affordable fuel injection. This kit includes:
- Complete wiring harness
- AFI specially calibrated chip
- Adapter plate, gaskets, hardware
- External Electric fuel pump with filter
- Fuel pump relay
- Power relay
- Check engine indicator
- Installation instructions
- Rather than opting for the tach filter and having to rely on "manual timing" I am going to modify my large cap HEI distributor to lock out mechanical and vacuum advance and wire in an 8-pin ignition control module to give me full computer controlled spark.
I'm starting to gather together the required components now so I will post up some pics and updates as I get them. If this attempt at putting fuel injection on an AMC works out then it will be repeated, hopefully with less cost, for the 360 I have for an upcoming project.
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2009 : 20:08:17
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Questions, comments, and criticisms welcome.
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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t120r
31" MT
Canada
143 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 00:32:02
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I know you say you are using a throttle body... Does that mean the GM one with the 2 injectors in it? Why not try a SEFI System and weld injector bungs in the intake manifold? Really not much difference in a TBI and a carb... Cold weather starting maybe, but it still suffers from uneven fuel distribution. If you like low end torque, then SEFI is the way to go.
I personally love EFI. I wouldn't put a carb on a lawnmower anymore. But I think with all the work you put into a TBI, you may be a little disappointed in it.
BTW: The GM computers blow. Look up www.fordfuelinjection.com and you'll see it's a way better setup. I have a ford computer (A9P) and the units almost made to reprogram it if you're interested. I even have a 80mm MAF sensor and some 42lb/hr injectors kicking around somewhere.
I'm an Avionics Engineer for Air Canada. Basically means I know my electronics. If you want a hand at anything, give me a shout. I love at that stuff.:) |
Edited by - t120r on 01/28/2009 00:33:50 |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 10:02:14
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Interesting... I'll tell you what, I'll stick with the TBI setup for the 304, I have everything I need and it is an easy setup. I will see what it is like, run the shit out of it for a while and then consider the other setup on the 360.
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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Maco
31" MT
123 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 11:23:28
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I have no idea what that all means!
But "AMC" may as well be spelled "COOL FK'in SH*T"
Maco |
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t120r
31" MT
Canada
143 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2009 : 02:42:52
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| OMG, don't put a 360 in it. The 304 was always a better engine. Just get some heads off the 327 and you got a real fire breather. A little work with a die-grinder to smooth the exhaust floor, add some screw threads to the intake runner and then machine in some singh grooves and you'll have one hell of an engine. I really hate 360s. |
Edited by - t120r on 01/29/2009 02:43:25 |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2009 : 10:06:29
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Two different engines... two different projects 
Also, I think you are confusing the AMC engine with something else. The 327 heads will not fit on a 304. Totally different block. And my intake won't fit the heads. That and finding AMC 327 heads is very difficult.
And the 360/390/401 series of engines is far better than the 304. The AMC 360 is a great engine to build.
What's the reason for the dislike of the 360? I'm curious.
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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Martin
Veteran NOVA Member
Canada
462 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2009 : 18:34:12
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quote:
Originally posted by t120r
OMG, don't put a 360 in it. The 304 was always a better engine. Just get some heads off the 327 and you got a real fire breather. A little work with a die-grinder to smooth the exhaust floor, add some screw threads to the intake runner and then machine in some singh grooves and you'll have one hell of an engine. I really hate 360s.
Had a 360 in my Dart,everyone I told said that a 340 was much better....but I still loved my gas drinking POS 360..
2006 TJ,2" lift,steering stabalizer,KC lights
31" Dayton MT's,Cragar wheels,champion winch,D44 rear,eaton limited slip....still working on the rest.
93 YJ...Airborne multiple times....none with good results. |
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t120r
31" MT
Canada
143 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 01:43:07
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You know what, I was thinking of the dodge 360... Sorry. I could have sworn that the 327 heads fit on the 304... Or maybe it was the 401 and the 327... Been a long time since I spoke AMC.. High school probably.
Either way, I think the idea of an EFI 304 is pretty cool. My 429 is almost ready to go now. Just need to get some exhaust valves... Been dragging my heels with it until my SAS is done.
I'd love to see this rig when it's done. |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 13:33:17
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Quick update...
My order for a custom chip (programmed to my engines specs), custom harness, adapters, fuel pump, relays, etc. is now placed with Affordable Fuel Injection. I'll post a few pics when it arrives.
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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t120r
31" MT
Canada
143 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2009 : 23:03:09
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| Sounds pretty cool. Post some pics when you get it done up. |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2009 : 13:18:13
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Christmas in May at the Percy house!
Wiring harness and adapter plate
ECM used to ship the new custom chip, fuel pump, filter, and a bunch of doodads in a bag!
Came complete with instruction manual.
Next step, pick up used ECM, put gas tank back in the jeep, and install EFI!
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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Fogrunner
Veteran NOVA Member
Canada
531 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2009 : 07:01:43
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That is gonna be great. Hurry up and get it runnin!!!!
Phil
1992 Jeep YJ SOA w/ xtra leafs on 39.5 Iroks. D44 Front 8.8 Rear. |
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BillM
Moderator
Canada
1966 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2009 : 12:46:46
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Is it hooked up yet?
BillM |
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Buddy
Moderator
618 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2009 : 09:20:27
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Percy.... get er' done.... she'll sound and run even sweeter with all that fuel feeding her on the hills....!!!! Think I might even dig out ol' Bessy the week!!!
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"Great Moose Huntin' Machine Buddy" |
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bigmac
Veteran NOVA Member
Canada
3176 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2009 : 13:13:00
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Nice ideas percy. Can't beat fuel injection when on high angles or in the rough.
Daren
78-ish Ford
Burnouts are fun. Whee! |
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Fogrunner
Veteran NOVA Member
Canada
531 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2009 : 14:06:26
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Isn't that gonna be same as 4.3 or 5.0 Chevy fuel injection?
Phil
1992 Jeep YJ SOA w/ xtra leafs on 39.5 Iroks. D44 Front 8.8 Rear. |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2009 : 16:20:41
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It uses a Chevy Throttle Body and ECM. Same as 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, 7.4 etc. Not as good as MPI but a hell of a lot better than a carb.
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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fraize
35" MT
Canada
394 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2009 : 01:20:25
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you have mail!
98 burban |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 19:52:34
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I guess I should update this post. EFI is hooked up thanks to Shadey Dave and Joe. Many, many, many hours went into routing everything, fabricating required parts, and particularly the tuning and trouble shooting. But in the end it worked, and worked well. I never did get any pictures of the process, I think Joe took a few.
One thing discovered since running it for a day (a very long day at that) is that I need a new alternator. Current one isn't putting out proper voltage, particularly at low RPM. So next on the list is a CS-144 model alternator upgrade. That will come after Christmas.
Overall I am very happy with the setup and as usual very happy with Shadey Dave's (and company's) work. It'll be good and ready for next season. Maybe even a snow run.
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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rpercy
Administrator
Canada
2016 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2010 : 13:43:27
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Another update on the EFI install. After some messing around with electrical and having to fabricate some parts I have a newer style alternator installed. It's a CS-130D from a newer Chevy truck. Voltage is steady at 14V at idle. It finally idles perfectly both cold and at temp.
As soon as I top up the diff fluids and figure out why my brakes are spongy I am good to go for a run.
Below are some pics and a short video of the engine running with the new setup. Cell phone quality pics and video so they aren't the best.
Video of it running:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZmfiwhF0f4
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"It was a jeep thing, but all that sh!t broke." |
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Topic |
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Custom EFI for AMC 304 (5.0L V8)
