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[GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109301] Tue, 21 December 2010 13:36 Go to next message
Sammy Williams is currently offline  Sammy Williams   United States
Messages: 522
Registered: August 2010
Karma: -2
Senior Member
How hard is it to convert a GMC to Fuel Injection? What systems allow
for a (not to difficult) conversion?

I really do not want to have to tear to far into a GMC if I dont have
to, but I am not afraid of turning wrenches either.

Thanks for the help people
S. Williams
GMCless at the moment, (but looking)
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Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109307 is a reply to message #109301] Tue, 21 December 2010 14:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
Senior Member
Its not hard to change to EFI, many of us have done it.
See this link and also check out JR Wheeler's link on this page:
http://gmcmotorhome.info/howell.html

EFI is nice for quick startups, smooth idle etc, but alot of us have found that adding ESC as well (electronic spark control) is what really increases the engine performance.

If you want to tweak and get even more into it, a bunch of us have added the EBL engine computer. It gives the ability to switch between different computer settings on the fly and allows for alot more settings... but all in all, it just runs better.
www.dynamicefi.com

Once you get your coach and want to delve into EFI, ESC and all the goodies, there is a google group you can join where its all GMC EFI all the time!


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109311 is a reply to message #109301] Tue, 21 December 2010 15:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhb1 is currently offline  jhb1   Canada
Messages: 303
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Hi Sammy

I have an old Air Sensor setup on my coach and am more or less pleased with it. But for ease of use try this system http://www.professional-products.com/EFI_3.php
I just had a friend install one on his 65 Ford 390 pickup truck says it working great starts all the time and he thinks he is getting better milage {work truck} uses it in the winter and summer. Self learning!!


John H. Bell
77 Royale; QuadBag,Manny OneTon,Honda EV4010, FITech
Montreal Qc.
Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109342 is a reply to message #109301] Tue, 21 December 2010 19:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rvanwin is currently offline  rvanwin   United States
Messages: 325
Registered: April 2007
Location: Battlefield, MO
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Sammy Williams wrote on Tue, 21 December 2010 13:36

How hard is it to convert a GMC to Fuel Injection? What systems allow
for a (not to difficult) conversion?

I really do not want to have to tear to far into a GMC if I dont have
to, but I am not afraid of turning wrenches either.




Sam,

Basically, it is not a hard conversion because you are not tearing into the engine. Just working on top, removing the carb and installing the throttle body and all the sensors. Having said that, the difficulty/complexity can vary quite a bit depending on what your objective is, the amount of money you are willing to put into the project, etc. So, all the way from a complete diy project with many parts sourced from the men's mall to complete kits. Kits range from those by Howell (also sold by JimK) to several of the aftermarket conversion kits.

Lot of EFI discussion over on the EFI Google Groups <http://groups.google.com/group/gmcmh-efi> Also, down in the Files section is the presentation that George Beckman and I gave at the DuQuoin Rally. The first part lists some of the options for our engines from diy, to the 80s ECM based kits, aftermarket kits. The remainder talks to the EBL which is an add-on to the 80s based ECMs.

So, the amount of work kinda of depends on which way you decide to approach the issue. Most who have installed fuel injection report easier start-ups, no dieseling, no vapor lock and maybe slightly better performance especially if you have a computer controlled distributor (CCD). Once installed and running, most need hardly any maintenance or attention. Some of us like to "play" with the systems and many of the aftermarket systems as well as the EBL allows for self tuning and ability to easily make changes to spark control and many other parameters with getting your hands dirty. BTW...You probably will not see a huge improvement in mpg (unless the carb is really messed up). We believe we have been able to squeak out a little more but not dramatic.

Good luck in your research!


Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109356 is a reply to message #109301] Tue, 21 December 2010 21:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Sammy,
I am partial to the Howell unit as so many of the GMC people have
experience with them and you'll get better technical help than other
products.
We have 2 people retained to help on the Howell units and also the EBL
units that make the unit so much better.
Fuel injection controls the fuel, but when you go with the EBL, the
real performance and mileage will appear as ignition timing is 70% of
where performance and mileage is at.
Dyno shops spend 70% of their time working on ignition timing as they
know, power and milage is at the igniton timing.
Our prices on these units beat any out there, and with our tech
support, your miles ahead.

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109365 is a reply to message #109301] Tue, 21 December 2010 22:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
George Beckman is currently offline  George Beckman   United States
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
Senior Member
Sammy Williams wrote on Tue, 21 December 2010 11:36

How hard is it to convert a GMC to Fuel Injection? What systems allow
for a (not to difficult) conversion?

I really do not want to have to tear to far into a GMC if I dont have
to, but I am not afraid of turning wrenches either.

Thanks for the help people
S. Williams
GMCless at the moment, (but looking)
_



Sammy,

I am not sure where you are living. I live in California and have a '78 GMC. I converted it to a Howell system. We drove about 9,000 miles with the Injection system. Loved it. Then we got the notice for the smog test. I took the coach to a Referee. A referee examines modified vehicles and gives a new sticker for the smog stations. They were very nice, but the long and short is there is no way they are going to clear a vehicle built later than 1975. The nice man admitted I was probably making less smog but was prohibited by law to test it. If I had put a 454 (or later engine) with all later smog equipment, perhaps. There never was a TBI for 455s. At least at that time Howell did not have an Executive Order for retrofitting the TBI for GMC motorhomes. They are CA cleared for their Jeep, but not the GMC. They had applied and I don't know if it was ever approved.

So, I would say chances of putting a TBI on a 1976-1978 GMC in California are zero. (Unless you find a company that has passed the CARB tests and have a Executive Order for GMC motorhomes.)

The 78 has its quadrajet back in place and passed smog no problems. I now drive a 1974 GMC.



'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109371 is a reply to message #109301] Tue, 21 December 2010 23:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Frank Condos is currently offline  Frank Condos   United States
Messages: 90
Registered: March 2004
Karma: 0
Member

<I am not sure where you are living. I live in California and <have a '78 GMC. I converted it to a Howell system. We drove <about 9,000 miles with the Injection system. Loved it. Then we <got the notice for the smog test. I took the coach to a <Referee. A referee examines modified vehicles and gives a new <sticker for the smog stations. They were very nice, but the <long and short is there is no way they are going to clear a <vehicle built later than 1975. The nice man admitted I was <probably making less smog but was prohibited by law to test it. <If I had put a 454 (or later engine) with all later smog <equipment, perhaps. There never was a TBI for 455s. At least at <that time Howell did not have an Executive Order for <retrofitting the TBI for GMC motorhomes. They are CA cleared <for their Jeep, but not the GMC. They had applied and I don't <know if it was ever approved.

<So, I would say chances of putting a TBI on a 1976-1978 GMC in <California are zero. (Unless you find a company that has passed <the CARB tests and have a Executive Order for GMC motorhomes.)

<The 78 has its quadrajet back in place and passed smog no <problems. I now drive a 1974 GMC.

Or do as I did for about four cycles and re-install the Rochester for the test. My lean carb would always pass but ran like s--- About 4 hours total. I now have a smog exempt '73

Frank Condos
'73 Cad 500
Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related) [message #109403 is a reply to message #109356] Wed, 22 December 2010 09:13 Go to previous message
hnielsen2 is currently offline  hnielsen2   United States
Messages: 1434
Registered: February 2004
Location: Alpine CA
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Works for us.
I installed the Howell system five years ago.
Never a problem.
Only had to increase the fuel pressure a small amount from the Howell
settings.
No running test or messing around with the F I.
Plug and Play.
Howard
Alpine Ca
26' Canyon Lands
Not Quite Stock.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Kanomata" <jimkanomata@gmail.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Fuel Injection (GMC Related)


> Sammy,
> I am partial to the Howell unit as so many of the GMC people have
> experience with them and you'll get better technical help than other
> products.
> We have 2 people retained to help on the Howell units and also the EBL
> units that make the unit so much better.
> Fuel injection controls the fuel, but when you go with the EBL, the
> real performance and mileage will appear as ignition timing is 70% of
> where performance and mileage is at.
> Dyno shops spend 70% of their time working on ignition timing as they
> know, power and milage is at the igniton timing.
> Our prices on these units beat any out there, and with our tech
> support, your miles ahead.
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> jimk@appliedairfilters.com
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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