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  • March 28, 2024, 12:35:49 PM

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Author Topic: Fuel Injection Conversion  (Read 5860 times)

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Online vangremlin

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Fuel Injection Conversion
« on: September 03, 2018, 07:14:02 PM »
I recently had a throttle body fuel injection kit installed on my Kammback, Pepe.  The kit came from Performance Fuel Injection Systems, and is available on eBay.

I did some of the installation myself, then took it to a local shop to have them finish it off.  I'm really pleased with the results, especially in combination with the 4.0 liter head I had installed a few years back.

I'll be uploading some pictures, which will appear over several posts.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

First photo - distributor that came with the kit.  One thing I really like about this kit is that the computer controls the advance.  This will really be nice when I head up to the mountains.  Notice not vacuum hose going to the distributor.

Second photo - MAP sensor

Third Photo - Throttle body, passenger side

Fourth photo - Throttle body, driver side.  I previously had a Motorcraft carb on this Eagle, I believe the linkage transferred directly over to the throttle body.

Fifth photo - Temp sensor in 4.0 liter thermostat housing
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline mudkicker715

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2018, 07:18:24 PM »
Obvious question to me is pepe any pepe..er. nice job by the way.



Manitowoc WI

Online vangremlin

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2018, 09:17:29 PM »
Obvious question to me is pepe any pepe..er. nice job by the way.

Thanks!  And Pepe is definitely much.....pepe-er lol.  I've noticed a lot better acceleration, and looking forward to driving it this winter with easy startups!
« Last Edit: September 03, 2018, 09:21:36 PM by vangremlin »
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Online vangremlin

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2018, 09:25:48 PM »
1st photo - fuel pump blockoff plate

2nd photo - wiring harness coming through existing hole in firewall

3rd photo - I had a new cat installed with a spot for the O2 sensor

4th photo - fuel line routing (1)

5th photo - fuel line routing (2)

1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Online vangremlin

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2018, 09:34:48 PM »
1st photo - fuel hose routing (3)

2nd photo - fuel hose routing in engine bay (1)

3rd photo - fuel hose routing in engine bay (2)

4th photo - fuel pump

5th photo - rear fuel hose routing.  Note wire for fuel pump exiting passenger compartment from foot well of rear seat.






1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Online vangremlin

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2018, 09:42:42 PM »
1st photo - Computer installation in glove box.  The box does get somewhat warm, although the maker of the kit says that is normal.  I was bored so I added some heat sinks to it.  I also took out the fiber board piece that is on the top of the glove box that provides access to where a single speaker for an AM radio would be.  This allows fresh air to enter/exit the glove box.  I also mounted a small computer cooling fan in that location.  It doesn't move much air but I don't believe it hurts anything.

2nd photo - shot from the top of the dash, through the slats for where an AM speaker would be.  You can see some of the heat sinks mounted to the back of the computer, and also see a little bit of the computer fan.

1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline rmick

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2018, 10:26:41 PM »
I did this same conversion the only problem I have had is the vacuum plugs on the throttle body deteriorate quickly. After replacing them several times.  I finally used some regular hose and a bolt shank to plug the ports. I know it doesn't look as good as regular vacuum plugs but I dont have worry about developing a vacuum leak at the plug.
72 Javelin AMX
72 Javelin SST
72 Gremlin with 4.0
81 SX 4

Offline Still Pat

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2018, 02:09:46 AM »
Was the Motorcraft a 'real' Motorcraft (did it say Motorcraft on it or just a look-alike)? Plans for it IF a real one? I have one of the chinese knock-offs that LOOKS LIKE a Motorcraft, but doesn't SAY Motorcraft anywhere, doesn't have ANY markings, numbers, etc ANYWHERE! I'd like to try a REAL one to replace this thing, but I'm broke till next month. I had to drop $1,000.00 into my van! OUCH!!!  :censored:  :'(  :censored:
'83 AMC Eagle wagon 258/auto.
'84 AMC Eagle sedan (4 door) 258/auto.
PREVIOUS AMCs:
'72 Gremlin X 304/3 speed
'81 Eagle Kammback 258/4 speed (Purchased new)
'82 Eagle wagon 258/5 speed (Ordered new, traded Kammback)
'86 (I THINK) Eagle wagon - BlackBird 258/auto. (Got hit/totaled)
'83 Eagle wagon - White Eagle 258-auto. (Front subframe was rotted out - sold for parts)

Online vangremlin

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2018, 08:33:26 AM »
I did this same conversion the only problem I have had is the vacuum plugs on the throttle body deteriorate quickly. After replacing them several times.  I finally used some regular hose and a bolt shank to plug the ports. I know it doesn't look as good as regular vacuum plugs but I dont have worry about developing a vacuum leak at the plug.

Thanks for the heads up and for providing the solution when the problems occur!
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Online vangremlin

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2018, 08:37:04 AM »
Was the Motorcraft a 'real' Motorcraft (did it say Motorcraft on it or just a look-alike)? Plans for it IF a real one? I have one of the chinese knock-offs that LOOKS LIKE a Motorcraft, but doesn't SAY Motorcraft anywhere, doesn't have ANY markings, numbers, etc ANYWHERE! I'd like to try a REAL one to replace this thing, but I'm broke till next month. I had to drop $1,000.00 into my van! OUCH!!!  :censored:  :'(  :censored:

Its a real Motorcraft and when I switched to it in 2009 (?) it was definitely an improvement.  I think over time it just got to the point where it needed to be rebuilt but I already had my eyes on this kit.  The fuel injection is many steps above the Motorcraft carb.  I haven't decided what to do with the carb yet but no real reason to hang onto it.
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline Still Pat

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2018, 10:30:49 AM »
Definitely interested, if you still have it next month & wanna let it go, remind me then, please!
'83 AMC Eagle wagon 258/auto.
'84 AMC Eagle sedan (4 door) 258/auto.
PREVIOUS AMCs:
'72 Gremlin X 304/3 speed
'81 Eagle Kammback 258/4 speed (Purchased new)
'82 Eagle wagon 258/5 speed (Ordered new, traded Kammback)
'86 (I THINK) Eagle wagon - BlackBird 258/auto. (Got hit/totaled)
'83 Eagle wagon - White Eagle 258-auto. (Front subframe was rotted out - sold for parts)

Offline Taylor

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2018, 04:20:09 PM »
I will definitely be looking into this upgrade. My chinese knockoff motocraft 2150 worked great compared to the Carter. I just know the prior owner never maintained it properly. I think Fuel Injection is the best way to go for better power and reliability.
Thanks for the tip.
Almost forgot. what fuel pump did you use? factory mechanical or higher pressure electric?
« Last Edit: November 06, 2018, 04:23:21 PM by potent357 »
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Online vangremlin

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Re: Fuel Injection Conversion
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2018, 07:11:55 PM »
The kit comes with an inline electric fuel pump.  However, in reading the reviews from mainly Jeep guys who have used the kit, they said the fuel pump was very noisy and they recommended one that is available on Amazon, which is what I ended up going with.  I can still hear it a little bit, but not too bad.  I'm still loving the kit, I took the car into the mountains about a month ago and it performed great.  As I said earlier, one of the nice things about this kit is the computer controls the spark advance also, which is really handy when I go higher in altitude.
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

 

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