| TBI or not [message #111410] |
Sun, 09 January 2011 08:58  |
tgeiger
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
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I have been pondering about putting on a TBI system on the coach as it's Christmas gift this year. I have the intention of useing the coach at times in Colorado/New Mexico and would be doing some anticipated traveling in high altitude. I have a buddy of mine that is a backyard type mechanic. He dosn't pretend to know everything about mechanical work, but he is very knowledgable general engine work. He has driven the GMC and had done some minor engine things to it for me. He thought putting a TBI system on it would be impracticle if I looked at the occasional use of the coach in the moutains. He said I will mash down on the gas a little more and use a bit more gas but in dollars and cents would not use that much gas if I was passing through the mountains. If I would be spending more time in the mountains, he said I would just adjust the carb for the altitude change. I'm just wondering if this is the way to look at this? Any comments are welcome. Just trying to make a decision on this. Thanks all!!
Tom Geiger
76 Eleganza II
KCMO
[Updated on: Sun, 09 January 2011 09:02] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] TBI or not [message #111415 is a reply to message #111410] |
Sun, 09 January 2011 09:36  |
Sandra Price
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 1
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We have TBI, Tom. After the Pueblo Int'l rally in '09, we followed our
friends in their carburated 26' coach to Montrose. Both of us were towing.
He couldn't get to 20 mph going up hills, so we had slow down to stay behind
him. If I were planning to be driving in any mountains any time, I'd
install the TBI.
He has since added fuel injection to his coach because he makes frequent
trips to Colorado. Fuel economy with TBI is about the same as carburated at
low elevation. Startup is much better--cold or hot.
Bob Price
On Sun, Jan 9, 2011 at 8:58 AM, tom geiger <tgeiger@burnsmcd.com> wrote:
>
>
> I have been pondering about putting on a TBI system on the coach as it's
> Christmas gift this year. I have the intention of useing the coach at times
> in Colorado/New Mexico and would be doing some anticipated traveling in high
> altitude. I have a buddy of mine that is a backyard type mechanic. He
> dosn't pretend to know everything about mechanical work, but he is very
> knowledgable general engine work. He has driven the GMC and had done some
> minor engin things to it for me. He thought putting a TBI system on it
> would be impracticle if I looked at the occasional use of the coach in the
> moutains. He said you will mash down on the gas a little more and use a bit
> more gas but in dollars and cents would not use that much gas if I was
> passing through the mountains. If I would be spending more time in the
> mountains, he said I would just adjust the carb for the altitude change.
> I'm just wondering if this is the way to look at this? Any comments are
> welcome. Just trying to make
> a decision on this. Thanks all!!
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
IN GOD WE TRUST!
Sandra and Bob in the 52nd Year of our State of Marriage
“Life’s a Trip” in “The Roadhouse”
’73 Painted Desert
Huntsville, TX
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love
as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or
insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so
that you may inherit a blessing. --1 Peter 3:8-9
_______________________________________________
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| Re: TBI or not [message #111420 is a reply to message #111410] |
Sun, 09 January 2011 10:01 |
rvanwin
Messages: 325
Registered: April 2007
Location: Battlefield, MO
Karma: 6
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| tgeiger wrote on Sun, 09 January 2011 08:58 |
He said I will mash down on the gas a little more and use a bit more gas but in dollars and cents would not use that much gas if I was passing through the mountains. If I would be spending more time in the mountains, he said I would just adjust the carb for the altitude change. I'm just wondering if this is the way to look at this? Any comments are welcome. Just trying to make a decision on this. Thanks all!!
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I'm not sure you will get your money back by installing the TBI because as the previous post said, you will not get a significant improvement in mpg. However, if you want it to start quickly every time, not diesel on shutdown, be noticeably more responsive when you hit the gas, not have to worry about timing (if you go with Computer Controlled Distributor (CCD) - highly recommended), not worry about changing altitudes affecting Air Fuel Ratio (AFR), and reducing or eliminating problems with vapor lock then the TBI is well worth installing.
I've had mine on for 30,000 trouble free miles and wouldn't think of going back to the carb.
If you are not aware of the dedicated forum <http://groups.google.com/group/gmcmh-efi?pli=1> then ask to become a member then you can ask more specific questions there. Just remember, like the gmcnet, much of the discussion is about problems someone has had and we are trying to solve. Don't let that dissuade you because most do not have any problems with their TBI installs. Also, in the files section is a presentation that my friend George and I gave at the DuQuoin Rally.
I live in the Springfield, MO area so if you decide to go ahead with the TBI install, I would be happy to lend a hand. Of course, it would have to be after we return from our current trip - sometime the 1st of April.
Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
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| Re: TBI or not [message #111459 is a reply to message #111410] |
Sun, 09 January 2011 16:25 |
hertfordnc
Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC
Karma: 0
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How much is a turnkey TBI system?
How much gas will it save?
It it takes you from 10 MPG to 11 MPG and costs $2000 installed, it will pay for itself in about 70,000 miles at the current price of $3/gal
But that numbers falls a lot if gas goes up to $4/gal.
For the mathematically challenged (not too many in this group) I have a spreadsheet at www.davesilva.com/cars
Dave & Ellen Silva
Hertford, NC
76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
[Updated on: Sun, 09 January 2011 16:26] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: TBI or not [message #111468 is a reply to message #111459] |
Sun, 09 January 2011 17:59 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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| hertfordnc wrote on Sun, 09 January 2011 14:25 |
How much is a turnkey TBI system?
How much gas will it save?
It it takes you from 10 MPG to 11 MPG and costs $2000 installed, it will pay for itself in about 70,000 miles at the current price of $3/gal
But that numbers falls a lot if gas goes up to $4/gal.
For the mathematically challenged (not too many in this group) I have a spreadsheet at www.davesilva.com/cars
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I have a TBI and have logged about 25,000 miles with it. (Only three or four thousand without it.) No way I am going back. However, Dave is correct. You are not going to get your money back in gas savings right away any more than you will get your money back right away for Alcolas or Eagles, in tire savings. I am not trading in my Eagles, either.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: TBI or not [message #111477 is a reply to message #111468] |
Sun, 09 January 2011 18:56 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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You may get your money, in the form of reduced problems, when E-15 is forced down our gas lines. I cannot imagine the large amounts of older vehicles that will not like this mixture. Reduced power, increased gas consumption, and a fluid that will attack almost every gas tank, and gas line in them.
Tom Phipps, sans GMC
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: TBI or not [message #111510 is a reply to message #111477] |
Mon, 10 January 2011 07:39 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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I sure do plan on a TBI conversion as soon as other things are taken off the list.
I've never driven anything in the mountains except my old TBI SOB. It ran perfectly over powder river pass at 9666 feet.
It also started and idled perfectly every time.
from what I hear, carbs are not so good at that level.
Of course a conversion may not behave so perfectly
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: TBI or not [message #111523 is a reply to message #111513] |
Mon, 10 January 2011 09:04 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
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I'll justify the cost of a TBI just after I justify the cost of my 69 Corvette, or my '29 Dodge or...Oh you get the idea!
BTW, the justification for the motorhome to begin with is that it gets the same MPG as the Vette towing the Vette and the I can sleep in it! LOL
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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. However justifying the cost in smiles on you face every time you hit the key or accelerator is easy ie. Priceless. 