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Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227875] Thu, 31 October 2013 09:52 Go to next message
Ultravan Owners is currently offline  Ultravan Owners   Canada
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Normally with EFI one has more low end torque over a carb setup and you can get better MPG.

Did you install it?

I would like to hear from those who have installed either system (TBI or Port Injection) and what your thoughts were. Also and Pros and Cons.

Thank you for your input.

Tony


Tony (Ontario Canada)
Marie and I are blessed to have had a 2nd chance to buy our farm.
Still hoping and more importantly praying to be able to build a garage.
Our 1970 Ultravan #520 has an Olds Toronado 455 in back.
Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227891 is a reply to message #227875] Thu, 31 October 2013 11:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rvanwin is currently offline  rvanwin   United States
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Location: Battlefield, MO
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Ultravan Owners wrote on Thu, 31 October 2013 09:52

Normally with EFI one has more low end torque over a carb setup and you can get better MPG.

Did you install it?

I would like to hear from those who have installed either system (TBI or Port Injection) and what your thoughts were. Also and Pros and Cons.

Thank you for your input.

Tony

Probably over a hundred installed EFI systems. We have 130 members that follow our GMC EFI forum but some are just lurkers with interest in EFI. By far, the larges number have TBI because that is the easiest conversion. Most use TBI systems that were prevalent on the 80s to early 90s GM vehicles. Some build their own systems but there are kits available that fit the GMC. There is an add-on (EBL) to these 80s systems that make them function much like modern day EFI systems. (www.dynamicefi.com). Also, there are aftermarket kits that some have used (Megasquirt, FAST, Edlebrock, MSD, etc) but tend to be much more expensive.

If you have a well tuned q-jet, I'm not sure you will see much performance or mpg improvement. Most see more responsiveness and some (with good tuning) have seen up to 1 to 2 mpg improvement. Other benefits are worth the change (IMHO) such as fast start-up under all conditions, little problems with vapor lock, good performance at all altitudes, no run-on at shutdown, and a few others.


Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
Re: [GMCnet] Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227894 is a reply to message #227875] Thu, 31 October 2013 10:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jake Reed is currently offline  Jake Reed   United States
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Registered: October 2013
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Tony,

I will take a swing at this. I have quite a bit of experience with fuel
injection. This will not be a detailed description. Just sort of an
overall explanation.

Fuel injection will not give you more torque. It is just a more efficient
system of delivering fuel to the engine. TBI is the least efficient method.
Essentially this puts the injectors right in the middle of the engine. The
closer the injectors get to the combustion chamber the more efficient they
can become. The most efficient, commercially used system right now is
direct injection where the injector is placed inside the combustion chamber.

Within all of that you have return less & return systems. It is just a
matter of how un-used fuel is handled.

Now to get the increase in torque you were referring to you have to add an
ignition component. Basic fuel injection systems with timing control can
perform small advances & retards in timing based on the engine load. This
also requires the ECU controlling everything to have a fuel & ignition map.
Basic systems are very crude & rigid as far as adapting to vehicles
conditions and requirements. But they are a big improvement over
carburetors.

Even better performance can be added by systems that use knock sensors and
O2 sensors. These typically have a more advance mapping feature and can be
more aggressive towards engine performance.

Then you also have systems that can control all of that and cam timing
using servo motors.

I am always reluctant to classify systems based on pros and cons. It is
always better to look at systems based on requirements, desire, checkbook or
budget. It is also important to make sure you are aware that some systems
are easier to repair than others.

I have left out a lot in trying to just give a general overview. Some of
this is even subject to opinion from one individual to another.

Does this help or just raise more questions?

Jake


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Tony
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 7:53 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455?



Normally with EFI one has more low end torque over a carb setup and you can
get better MPG.

Did you install it?

I would like to hear from those who have installed either system (TBI or
Port Injection) and what your thoughts were. Also and Pros and Cons.

Thank you for your input.

Tony
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Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227901 is a reply to message #227875] Thu, 31 October 2013 12:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ultravan Owners is currently offline  Ultravan Owners   Canada
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Thanks guys!

All input - well most* input - is helpful.
*You know those who troll sites just to cause problems - those we can do without. (grin)

Anyways, we have guys who have drilled holes in the top of the (carbs) on a Corvair engine and those who go to the trouble to remove the top of each (carb) so they can change jet size when they stay for a while at a different altitude than they have their coach setup for.

Marie and I plan to become snow birds and be gone up to 5-6 months out of each year. We want to travel throughout the USA and Canada and truly enjoy our selves. So I know EFI is the way to go - when the $$$$ is there.

Tony

(Edit) - just for Matt. (grin)


Tony (Ontario Canada)
Marie and I are blessed to have had a 2nd chance to buy our farm.
Still hoping and more importantly praying to be able to build a garage.
Our 1970 Ultravan #520 has an Olds Toronado 455 in back.

[Updated on: Fri, 01 November 2013 08:44]

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Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227907 is a reply to message #227901] Thu, 31 October 2013 12:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jim kanomata is currently offline  jim kanomata   United States
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Randy and Jake covered your questions,
but let me say something as we have supplied at least 30 of the Howell Throttle body system with the Electronic controlled distributor and the Dynamic EFI (EBL).
Granted, port injection is slightly better, but the throttle body system gives you comparable performance.
You cannot beat this system as there are handful of people that have the system that know how to analyze these unts when you have problems on weekends, holidays, and afterhours.
Randy Van Winkle is one of those guys that have helped us and others when no one was available.
Holly,MSD,and others are not up on their products and are only available from 8-5 5 days a week.
I have been running the port fuel injection since 1990 and have compared it with the Howell unit and have a hard time seeing a significant change.
By the way, we have installed at least 10-12 units at our shop.
Howell now refers the GMC people to us to help with trouble shooting, as they figured out that we have people like Randy and Walt to back us up.


Jim Kanomata Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA jimk@appliedairfilters.com http://www.appliedgmc.com 1-800-752-7502
Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227918 is a reply to message #227907] Thu, 31 October 2013 13:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ljdavick is currently offline  ljdavick   United States
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And all in, Howell EFI, EBL updated computer interface, Electronic Distributor, knock sensor, O2 sensor, etc., is about $2k.
Fun putting it in - priceless!

Jim - any guess as to how long it takes to install?


Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
Re: [GMCnet] Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227947 is a reply to message #227918] Thu, 31 October 2013 16:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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If there are no issues with the thing after installation, the basic install
consists of removing and replacing inner fenders, welding in the bung for
the O2 sensor, drilling a hole in the fuel filler neck for the return line
and threading the hole, boring a 2" hole under the pass seat for harness,
mounting knock sensor in the coolant drain, and modules for it and the
EBL, removing temp sending unit and replacing it with a sensor, bolt on
the throttle body & screw around with the throttle cable mounting.bracket,
plug in the wire harness, and mount the fuel pump and filter. Other than
that it is a "plug 'n play" deal. (very big grin)
Slop it together, 4 hours. Do it right, somewhat longer than that.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 gmc Royale 403
On Oct 31, 2013 11:30 AM, "Larry Davick" <ljdavick@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> And all in, Howell EFI, EBL updated computer interface, Electronic
> Distributor, knock sensor, O2 sensor, etc., is about $2k.
> Fun putting it in - priceless!
>
> Jim - any guess as to how long it takes to install?
> --
> Larry Davick
> A Mystery Machine
> 1976(ish) Palm Beach
> Fremont, Ca
> _______________________________________________
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Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #227992 is a reply to message #227901] Thu, 31 October 2013 20:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Ultravan Owners wrote on Thu, 31 October 2013 13:04

Thanks guys!
<snip>
Anyways, we have guys who have drilled holes in the top of the crabs on a Corvair engine and those who go to the trouble to remove the top of each crab so they can change jet size when they stay for a while at a different altitude than they have their coach setup for.

Tony

Tony,

I think you need to fix your spell check.
I know if I try to drill into a crab, they get really annoyed.

Matt - always the waterman


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #228049 is a reply to message #227992] Fri, 01 November 2013 08:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ultravan Owners is currently offline  Ultravan Owners   Canada
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Matt Colie wrote on Thu, 31 October 2013 21:05

Ultravan Owners wrote on Thu, 31 October 2013 13:04

Thanks guys!
<snip>
Anyways, we have guys who have drilled holes in the top of the crabs on a Corvair engine and those who go to the trouble to remove the top of each crab so they can change jet size when they stay for a while at a different altitude than they have their coach setup for.

Tony

Tony,

I think you need to fix your spell check.
I know if I try to drill into a crab, they get really annoyed.

Matt - always the waterman



Matt - you must not steam them first.
You might want to get a newer cook book. LOL


Tony (Ontario Canada)
Marie and I are blessed to have had a 2nd chance to buy our farm.
Still hoping and more importantly praying to be able to build a garage.
Our 1970 Ultravan #520 has an Olds Toronado 455 in back.
Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #228233 is a reply to message #228049] Sat, 02 November 2013 23:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Broham is currently offline  Broham   United States
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randy,

Is your EFI form open? What's the link? I'm thinking about doing one in the spring.


Todd Owner of a 1976 Eleganza II 26’ other toys: 93 Vette 84 Goldwing and gone but not forgotten 72 CB750 Chopper 96 Caprice Classic 34 Ford roadster 94 Fleetwood
Re: Who has TBI or Port EFI on there 455? [message #228241 is a reply to message #228233] Sun, 03 November 2013 06:19 Go to previous message
rvanwin is currently offline  rvanwin   United States
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Broham wrote on Sat, 02 November 2013 23:15

randy,

Is your EFI form open? What's the link? I'm thinking about doing one in the spring.

Yes, go here:
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/gmcmh-efi

Lots of discussion over the last few years about efi. Request to become a member to be able to ask questions and to get access to the sites location listed where there is additional information on efi that many of us have learned by "playing" with our EFI systems. Ken Henderson reviews your request and approves membership.

Just as with the GMCnet, don't let the discussion scare you into thinking efi is fraught with problems. Many have installed and have run years without ever touching the system. Many of us like to "play" and get into tuning, trying new things, etc., which leads to interesting issues. Occasionally, someone will have a problem (usually during initial install and setup) that we use the efi forum to solve. Many problems end up being standard stuff like modules, coils, loose wires (especially grounds), etc. that are common to both carbureted and efi engines. However, with that in mind, there is a lot of information available on the efi groups forum and the efi sites location.


Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
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