|
Clint, I'm a
computer-guy as much as I am a gearhead, so that's why the project interests
me. Knowing that I can get a reasonably well-featured controller for only
$200 and free software makes it much more attainable. I wouldn't pay $1000
for an Accel or Haltech unit. I didn't want to deal with a stock system
that couldn't give me enough latitude to accomodate my 406. I also didn't
want to deal with calling some EFI shop to have them burn me a new chip anytime
I made a mod.
I guess I'm
in the opposite boat as you -- have never had (or rather, worked on) a high-tech
car. I wish I had buddys sending me complete EFI setups and saying "eh,
play with it, see what ya think!" :-)
The
MegaSquirt in it's stock form can accomodate up to 21psi of boost, so it seems
like adding a Vortech or Paxton shouldn't be real difficult. I have a
friend with a blown '87 Mustang and watched him pull a 10.90 with a 302.
That's impressive to me. I don't really want to run 10s (ok, maybe a few
times!), but it seems you could build a nice, reliable setup capable of low-mid
11s easily.
I'm
interested in hearing from anyone who has converted to EFI, in any form, to see
what kind of problems you ran into.
-Dave
Interesting project,Dave. A good friend of mine
works in the Engine Shop at Mercruiser in Oklahoma,developing different engine
combos. A few months ago,he gave me a complete BBC tuned port injection system
for the engine I've been putting together for my El Camino. After owning a few
late model Corvettes with all their complexity,I'm not sure I really want to
deal with the hassle of converting my BBC to DFI. Yeah,I know the advantages
of fuel injection but the intake "honk" of a big Holley when the secondaries
open is sure hard to beat,too.
Maybe I'll pull the system out of the box this
Winter and see what I can come up with.
----- Original Message -----
I didn't get any email from the list on
Wednesday April 28th. Is everyone just out cruising, enjoying the
weather? I drove my '70 to work for the first time this year, as it is
almost 80 today in Cleveland. woo-hoo!
Since it's been quiet, I'll
post an update on my latest project. I'm starting to gather parts for
my EFI conversion. I plan on converting my 406-powered '70 to EFI
using the MegaSquirt EFI controller and a TPI-based manifold.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0403_mega/index2.html It's definately not an easy project. Just assembling the
MegaSquirt and pieceing together a harness will be challenging, let alone
the high-pressure fuel system and then tuning the thing. All of the
software is free, and the whole design (hardware & software) is open
source, free for anyone to modify to their liking. There's a real good
mailing list with lots of knowledgeable folks. I think I'm going to
start with an 80s TPI manifold setup, although I susspect it might be too
restrictive for my combo. I hope to score some of the intake hardware
at the GM Carlisle meet in June. I got a set of injectors from a
'96-98 Mopar 5.9 for free at work today. I'm not sure if they work or
if they'll work on a TPI manifold, but they were free.
I haven't seen
any postings here, but over on the MegaSquirt list, there's a lot of talk
about the newer Wide-Band oxygen sensors (WB02). Even for carb'ed cars
(who put an O2 bung into the exhaust), these WB02 sensors can show a
real-time air-fuel ratio. Unlike older O2 sensors (narrow-band), these
wide-band unit are accurate when you get away from stoich (14.7:1 Air-fuel ratio). I imagine you could really cut down on
tuning time with one of these, not to mention increase the 'quality' of your
tune.
-Dave
|
