EFI conversion
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Mankato, MN
EFI conversion
I have an '86 300, I'm interested in converting it to EFI. Has anyone tried it before? Is it best to just pull and ECU and pig tail from an EFI truck and make your own harness? Is the factory harness integrated into the body? I have a '92 4.9L with all the EFI components on it.
Thanks
Thanks
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From: Princeton MN
The ECU has like 66 pins on it, connectors along would be expensive. On the motor prepare to change everything but the block, the head and everything must be changed, along with intake egr, air pump, charcoal canister, dizzy, sensorsand the complete wiring harness from the donor truck and then mount the ecm. Whats wrong with the carb?
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Senior User
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From: Mankato, MN
The ECU has like 66 pins on it, connectors along would be expensive. On the motor prepare to change everything but the block, the head and everything must be changed, along with intake egr, air pump, charcoal canister, dizzy, sensorsand the complete wiring harness from the donor truck and then mount the ecm. Whats wrong with the carb?
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From: Mankato, MN
BTW I grew up working on EFI only. This is the only thing I've ever owned with a carb. It never used to idle then after it sat for a year gas started leaking out of the seals. I took it apart and rebuilt it. Now it runs, but pig rich, and starts awful. I usually need 30 seconds or starting fluid. It's that bad.
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In my opinion, if you're wanting to convert from carb to EFI, then some sort of aftermarket EFI setup e.g. Holley Projection would be the way to go.
As you're seeing, converting to a factory OEM-style installation is something of a Big Deal.™
I grew up with carbs and the claim of "looking for increased reliability" by changing to 20-yo EFI components based on pre-Y2K technology doesn't fly with me.
Not trying to sound demeaning or insulting, but something is screwed up on your carb and/or its installation, IMO you'd probably do best to merely exchange it for one that's been professionally rebuilt.
Carburetor technology has been in use for something around 100 years, it's had plenty of time to be developed & refined.
Detroit first started venturing into EFI on a semi-large scale I believe in the mid-1970s with some Cadillac models.
Modern multi-port EFI rocks in my opinion but 40 years has elapsed and technology has evolved considerably during this time.
Installing used components that are already 20 years old and looking for "increased reliability" by doing that is a conflict in terms.
As you're seeing, converting to a factory OEM-style installation is something of a Big Deal.™
I grew up with carbs and the claim of "looking for increased reliability" by changing to 20-yo EFI components based on pre-Y2K technology doesn't fly with me.
Not trying to sound demeaning or insulting, but something is screwed up on your carb and/or its installation, IMO you'd probably do best to merely exchange it for one that's been professionally rebuilt.
Carburetor technology has been in use for something around 100 years, it's had plenty of time to be developed & refined.
Detroit first started venturing into EFI on a semi-large scale I believe in the mid-1970s with some Cadillac models.
Modern multi-port EFI rocks in my opinion but 40 years has elapsed and technology has evolved considerably during this time.
Installing used components that are already 20 years old and looking for "increased reliability" by doing that is a conflict in terms.
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From: Casa Grande
X2 what ctubutis said.
I thought about doing the same thing when I got my truck. But after talking to a friend that owns a junkyard here decided against it. He basically had the same argument and the "bang for the buck" just wasn't there. So decided if I was going to do it I'd go with a aftermarket intake and late model TBI setup. But yes it can be done. Just depends on how much work and money you want to put into 20+ year old technology, JMO
I thought about doing the same thing when I got my truck. But after talking to a friend that owns a junkyard here decided against it. He basically had the same argument and the "bang for the buck" just wasn't there. So decided if I was going to do it I'd go with a aftermarket intake and late model TBI setup. But yes it can be done. Just depends on how much work and money you want to put into 20+ year old technology, JMO
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From: Mankato, MN
Yep. The fuel system is completely different. As long as I use the ON power to a relay I can power up the fuel pump so that's all easy. Running the lines will prove to be a pain. I guess I might just be able to pull them off another truck.
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From: Mankato, MN
True. But I want to go forced induction, so a carb isn't really on the list.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 260
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From: Mankato, MN
In my opinion, if you're wanting to convert from carb to EFI, then some sort of aftermarket EFI setup e.g. Holley Projection would be the way to go.
As you're seeing, converting to a factory OEM-style installation is something of a Big Deal.™
I grew up with carbs and the claim of "looking for increased reliability" by changing to 20-yo EFI components based on pre-Y2K technology doesn't fly with me.
Not trying to sound demeaning or insulting, but something is screwed up on your carb and/or its installation, IMO you'd probably do best to merely exchange it for one that's been professionally rebuilt.
Carburetor technology has been in use for something around 100 years, it's had plenty of time to be developed & refined.
Detroit first started venturing into EFI on a semi-large scale I believe in the mid-1970s with some Cadillac models.
Modern multi-port EFI rocks in my opinion but 40 years has elapsed and technology has evolved considerably during this time.
Installing used components that are already 20 years old and looking for "increased reliability" by doing that is a conflict in terms.
As you're seeing, converting to a factory OEM-style installation is something of a Big Deal.™
I grew up with carbs and the claim of "looking for increased reliability" by changing to 20-yo EFI components based on pre-Y2K technology doesn't fly with me.
Not trying to sound demeaning or insulting, but something is screwed up on your carb and/or its installation, IMO you'd probably do best to merely exchange it for one that's been professionally rebuilt.
Carburetor technology has been in use for something around 100 years, it's had plenty of time to be developed & refined.
Detroit first started venturing into EFI on a semi-large scale I believe in the mid-1970s with some Cadillac models.
Modern multi-port EFI rocks in my opinion but 40 years has elapsed and technology has evolved considerably during this time.
Installing used components that are already 20 years old and looking for "increased reliability" by doing that is a conflict in terms.
I'm also planning on forced induction, and I really don't want to go with a blow through carb.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Mankato, MN
X2 what ctubutis said.
I thought about doing the same thing when I got my truck. But after talking to a friend that owns a junkyard here decided against it. He basically had the same argument and the "bang for the buck" just wasn't there. So decided if I was going to do it I'd go with a aftermarket intake and late model TBI setup. But yes it can be done. Just depends on how much work and money you want to put into 20+ year old technology, JMO
I thought about doing the same thing when I got my truck. But after talking to a friend that owns a junkyard here decided against it. He basically had the same argument and the "bang for the buck" just wasn't there. So decided if I was going to do it I'd go with a aftermarket intake and late model TBI setup. But yes it can be done. Just depends on how much work and money you want to put into 20+ year old technology, JMO
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From: Missouri
Oh, I guarantee the carb isn't put together correctly. I don't care to put any more time into it. I wired a 20 valve, ITB'd, variable cam timing engine from Japan into a US Corolla GT-S. I also worked for SPX (they build the Genisys and Pegisys scan tools) building ECU trays as well. This would be a breeze compared to the Corolla.
I'm also planning on forced induction, and I really don't want to go with a blow through carb.
I'm also planning on forced induction, and I really don't want to go with a blow through carb.
MegaSquirt - Electronic Fuel Injection Computer by Bowling and Grippo ©2010
How simple the wiring is on a 5.0, it will work on an i6 too:
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From: Princeton MN
It being an 86 I'm guessing it has the feedback system, anyway you can use a carb on forced induction. Just put the carb on the intake side of the turbo.
Oh and keep in mind that your efi system will probably have to be tuned to work with a turbo, I don't know what sources you have for diong that but that might be a big road block.
Oh and keep in mind that your efi system will probably have to be tuned to work with a turbo, I don't know what sources you have for diong that but that might be a big road block.