Joined: Tue Nov 01 2005, 01:28PM
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 93
Has anyone recently converted their 383 to TB fuel injection? I have a Newport with a 3 speed standard and am looking for better driveability and maybe fuel economy. I hate that fatal hesitation when pulling away. Thanks!
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
I've done a little research and I like the FiTech products. Most are for high power engines but they have one for 400hp, see the blurp. My car is an automatic with a T code 350hp 440 which currently has an Edelbrock Performer 600. My car had the hesitation you speak of even back in 1969 when it was delivered. Over the years I tried various solutions without any luck. When the car was restored, I asked the engine machine shop to install a cam and carb to get rid of the hesitation. He installed a 750 performer on an Edelbrock alum intake. When we got it on the road, the hesitation remained. My engine guy got on the phone with Edelbrock and they said a 750 was way too big for a 350 hp 440 and that we should downsize to a 600 cfm and add a fuel pressure regulator to ensure the carb never saw more than 5 psi fuel pressure. Well surprisingly that actually worked reasonably well. However, the tune is quite sensitive to altitude, air temperature and the fuel I buy. Not the grade of fuel so much as who is selling it. So I'm thinking that FiTech unit is almost a bolt on unit that will even accept my factory air cleaner. The only thing I still don't understand is fuel delivery requirements, they talk about a Command Center 2 but I haven't figured out how it interfaces with my existing fuel tank and line to my mechanical fuel pump. I need to pick the brain of someone who has done the conversion. Looks like it's going gto be a $2,000 toy so I want to get it right first time! LOL
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
The Command Center is like a mini fuel tank which is mounted in the engine compartment. It simplifies the plumbing because you don't have to get rid of your stock fuel pump and line from the tank. You use your existing fuel pump to pump fuel from the tank to the Command Center. There is an in-tank EFI-compatible pump mounted inside the Command Center which supplies the fuel to the TBI unit.
With their original Command Center you also didn't need to run a return line back to your fuel tank, but from the description of this new design it sounds like you DO need to do that still, to keep the fuel cool. I read some reviews that there were problems in some original Command Center installations with the fuel inside overheating and percolating.
Last summer I saw a Cordoba with a Command Center 1 at a car show. It was mounted in the front passenger-side corner, just behind the rad support. The owner had fabricated a sheet metal divider to separate it from engine heat and put a small fan in to blow on it to try to keep it cool. Unfortunately I never got to talk to the owner to find out more about his problems.
Bill, I thought you didn't like TBI systems because they weren't that different from a carb? I think you need this system:
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
That system is pretty complicated and very spendy for a lowly "T" engine that might put out 350hp on a real good day! The FiTech system, on the other hand, is easy to install, cheaper and should get rid of the hesitation when pulling away. If I feel the need for real speed, I'll drive my Hemi Jeep!
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 09:48PM
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Posts: 305
I have done up a couple of cars with the MegaSquirt (used the GM TBI on both the ford 390 and mopar 440) and one MSD atomic TBI on a 440. Overall the Atomic was the easiest plug and play.
The MSD atomic TBI was installed this summer. It is working nicely. Drove the car 600 mile trip as it had tons of power (a real 440 TNT) but didn't change my MPG although I had the carb very well tuned.
For the MSD I used a non return fuel set up. For the other, it has a return system.
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
Fury440 wrote ...
That system is pretty complicated and very spendy for a lowly "T" engine that might put out 350hp on a real good day! The FiTech system, on the other hand, is easy to install, cheaper and should get rid of the hesitation when pulling away. If I feel the need for real speed, I'll drive my Hemi Jeep!
If you couldn't tell, I was kidding with you Bill. I was pretty sure it was you who put down TBI conversions before as glorified electronic carbs, but now that your Fury is roadworthy again you're considering one.
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
SteveH wrote ...
I have done up a couple of cars with the MegaSquirt (used the GM TBI on both the ford 390 and mopar 440) and one MSD atomic TBI on a 440. Overall the Atomic was the easiest plug and play.
The MSD atomic TBI was installed this summer. It is working nicely. Drove the car 600 mile trip as it had tons of power (a real 440 TNT) but didn't change my MPG although I had the carb very well tuned.
For the MSD I used a non return fuel set up. For the other, it has a return system.
If you have any questions... Just ask.
Steve
Hey Steve, I would be interested to know more about the returnless fuel system. I presume it's electronically controlled and it turns the fuel pump on and off to regulate the fuel pressure. Is it controlled directly from the MSD ECU or separate electronics? What does it use for a fuel pump?
Is it self-priming? Did you just mount the pump somewhere on the frame, or down low below the lowest point on the tank to help fuel siphon from the tank to the pump inlet? Are you using a filter on the pump inlet or just the sock filter on the tank pickup? Any problems with it sucking air when the level in the tank is low?
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 09:48PM
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Posts: 305
Yes... although that is a bit larger than mine at 225 lbs/hr. I had a 3/8 pick up but put back the 5/16 one. So far things have been fine. Using a new sock on the pick up as a pre-pump filter. Mounted the pump on the back at the tank (by and under the sender) as low as i could get it as to not suck gas. I think I have seen it take in air once when cornering hard and low on fuel.
I think you need this system: