GM TBI on AMC V-8???

[keej]

What would it take to put a GM TBI unit on an AMC V-8? I wired a TBI in my YJ, but it was already attached to a 4.3 GM V-6 so it was pretty easy. I still have some spare parts, including a stock wiring harness for the TBI setup laying in the garage and if there aren't any obstacles that are too big I'd like to give it a try. Is there a write-up that includes a parts list already?

I'm sorry, I'm sure this has already been covered 100 times, so if there's another thread or links that you can point me to I'd appreciate it :-D

Thanks,

Jeremy
http://www.iowa4wd.com
http://www.jeepinrocks.com

[turtlejoe]

This individual makes and sells kits for Jeep engines, but his site should give you some information about what's involved: Jeep TBI (http://www.customefis.com/jeepgwfi.html)

Several if not many on this board have installed his kit or made their own with good results.

Good luck!

[keej]

From what I've read so far it seems pretty straight forward. I know the GM TBI is pretty well a standalone system with it's own sensors etc... It sounds like I have to disable the mechanical advance in the distributor to make use of the electronic advance built into the computer so that's easy... The only question I really have is having more to do with the coil. Is it worth using the stock waggy coil or should I just switch to a GM coil while I'm at it to make it easier???

[pb]

I would just switch over to the GM type, or go all the way for HEI dizzy.

Here is a very long and informative step by step link on the conversion process. I just cut and pasted most of the thread below into 30+ pages in Word.

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=474943

[keej]

Wow, thanks... Very good thread!!!

[crispyboy]

I'm sure there is a difference in the way the chip has to be reprogramed. Thats the really hard part of the whole thing.

[TexasJ10]

The chip is definitely the biggest issue. Without the proper programming it will run lean and toast your engine quick.

[keej]

I guess that's what I'm not getting it why the chip has to be reprogrammed. If the TBI was originally setup to flow for a Chevy 350, and it's adjusting for rich/lean condition based on the Oxygen Sensor, then why would you have to reprogram the chip?

[ August 11, 2004, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: keej ]

[pb]

The chip is basing the readings on not only the O2 sensor but the other sensors (CTS, VSS, MAP, etc) as well. The readings are then "compared" against set values on the chip on what they should be in a 350. Optimal settings for the 360 need to be programmed for the TBI to work correctly.

[KYJ10]

What Paul said. I have the chevy TBI, and the chip is burned to your engine specs, then fine tuned. Mine has run fine with the first chip, but plan to hook up my laptop to run a diagnostic. It seems to have a slight cough from time to time. Dennis

[TexasJ10]

pb is right. When the computer receives set values from the various sensors it responds as programmed. If it believes it is running lean it responds with a predetermined amount of additional fuel. Even though it continues to get readings that it is running lean, it still only provides the amount of fuel that it has been programmed to provide. With the smaller displacment of the 350 over the 360 it will get insufficient amounts. I also believe that the 350 is a more effecient engine than the AMC 360. The amount of fuel and air provided is dependent on a lot of things including your cam specs, engine and air temp, advance etc. The customefis.com (http://www.customefis.com/index.html) site has a section for members that explains how to program these chips with readily avilable equipment. It adds to the total cost of your system, but it helps you tune your chip to your needs.

[keej]

Programming it wouldn't be a big deal, I was mostly just curious if it would work the way it was before you have to mess with reprogramming it. I'm going to start gathering all the stuff to put it together and give it a shot I think... If I can get the AMC running dependably with EFI, it might save me from having to use these Novak Chevy conversion motor mounts that are laying in the garage :)

[imported_horsepuller]

You really can't go wrong buying the set-up from customefis, at the link provided by turtlejoe. There is a lot more to getting a TBI system to work well on an AMC 360 than simply bolting on a few components and changing out a wiring harness. John Wilson from customefis knows more about TBI's on jeeps than anybody else and he stands by his systems.

[crispyboy]

I had a lot of fine tuning to do on my chip, now all my emission components work like they are supposed to. I have the customefis system and it is now working great.
You can really tell when the chip is dialed in correctly and when I figure out where and how to post my a scan of my emissions ticket you will surprised how well it did.

[grand350]

http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/spo_technology_central.html

[ August 13, 2004, 02:06 AM: Message edited by: wagon ]