Fuel injection replacement

[carlospena96]

I will like to ear opinions about replacing the L jetronic injection with another option (like itbs or the VAS programable FI)
Someone actually replace the injection?

[76was124]

I will like to ear opinions.....

I've never done that, but my ear is curious as to your desired outcome in doing that?

[divace73]

I'm in the process and that process is taking a very long time. That old L Jet is such a good robust system that changing it is a big job.
I will be using mega squirt eventually when I get my act together, I've got the 36-1 toothed wheel and wideband sensor already installed.

I also have a set of throttle bodies as my stage 4

Stage 1 -Get the car back together and engine running with L-Jet (and newer cam shaft)
Stage 2 -Change to Fuel only and tune
Stage 3 - do wasted spark as well
Stage 4- install throttle bodies.

The before


the during


the after........maybe 2020????

[joelittel]

This is a topic that pops up from time to time but never seems to go anywhere. I'd be very interested in following any progress because I dream about upgrading mine some day as well.

The few people I've met on the forum that have Vick's programmable fuel injection say they love it, but the price tag keeps it just out of reach for me.

[burgandy81]

Here are a few notes on my project.

http://fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=19304

I have been running Megasquirt for 5 or 6 years now and am happy with it. It is worth remembering that MS is hobby unto itself and will take some time to get figured out.

Cheers,

Jordan

[joelittel]

Burgandy,

Did megasquirt add a noticeable performance gain, over the L-Jet, once you got it sorted out?

[carlospena96]

I love to see this typenof projects in classic cars, it is a interesting topic

[carlospena96]

joelittel

I see a video of vick autosport that says their injection make a gain of 30hp aprox.

[burgandy81]

Burgandy,

Did megasquirt add a noticeable performance gain, over the L-Jet, once you got it sorted out?

No, I do not think I had much increase. Any increase I have I would attribute to programmable timing at this stage. My opinion is that the original Bosch system ID quite good and hard to beat with stock intake, exhaust and engine. Bang for buck, in my opinion, is restore the Bosch system to stock using Brad Artigues guide.

There is, however, much to be said for programmable fuel and spark when modifying engines. Think of it like re-jetting and adjusting your distributor while driving using a keyboard.

My project was in preparation for forced induction (which is taking FOREVER) and included a Lancia intake, larger injectors and predictable ignition.

Having said all of that, I love my system and have learned an amazing amount about the car and engine management in general.

This winter I installed a 7" tablet where the centre dash section that usually contains idiot lights and resostats. It is interesting to see a read out of the sensors and calculations in real time as you drive. Again, very nerdy fun.

In one possible future I will get a T25 turbo from a Lancia fitted and have a FIAT that might keep up with our minivan!!!!

Cheers,

Jordan

[joelittel]

carlospena96

I've seen that video and that's how I'd like my car to drive. The VAS system is based on Megasquirt and super tempting to me, but the price has always kept me from jumping in with both feet. Building my own Megasquirt system doesn't interest me very much at this point.

I've also heard that a larger AFM can be used on the Bosch L-Jet, so I'd like to learn a bit more about that as an option.

Guys with carbs seem to love them, but I've always heard it would be silly to revert from FI to carbs. Which makes me ask why, if carbs produce more power why would I want to keep the FI? Is the FI system that much more reliable than carbs?

[joelittel]

Quoting Brad Artigue from an older post. This answers the "why keep the stock FI" question.

"The fuel injected cars have much better performance than any carbureted Spider. Out of the box, unmodified, the FI system simply blew the carbureted cars away. Smoother, faster acceleration, better gas mileage, far more reliable operation. If you don't get equal or better performance from the FI system than you do from your carbs, something is wrong with your FI system."

[narfire]

My thoughts on my engine "upgrade" ( FI engine) I went to 84.4mm pistons, had the head done, Mark's FI cams, adjustable cam wheels, lightened flywheel, headers, all rotating stuff balanced and spent about $4000.00 doing this over a year.
What did I get...sure has a lot more pull after 3400 rpm and accelerates nicely without having to downshift. Top end speed...perhaps another 5-10 mph. My kids stock Toyota still out accelerates my car.
I found the most noticeable improvement came from head work, cams and adjustable cam wheels and degree'd in properly.
I found the biggest smile improvement was in upgrading/refreshing the suspension, and wheels to 15" and 205 Toyo's. I'd like to get Mark's brake upgrade when the CDN dollar gets better compared to the US $.
Chris

[RRoller123]

My thoughts on my engine "upgrade" ( FI engine) I went to 84.4mm pistons, had the head done, Mark's FI cams, adjustable cam wheels, lightened flywheel, headers, all rotating stuff balanced and spent about $4000.00 doing this over a year.
What did I get...sure has a lot more pull after 3400 rpm and accelerates nicely without having to downshift. Top end speed...perhaps another 5-10 mph. My kids stock Toyota still out accelerates my car.
I found the most noticeable improvement came from head work, cams and adjustable cam wheels and degree'd in properly.
I found the biggest smile improvement was in upgrading/refreshing the suspension, and wheels to 15" and 205 Toyo's. I'd like to get Mark's brake upgrade when the CDN dollar gets better compared to the US $.
Chris

Did you raise the CR?

Pete

[narfire]

Did you raise the CR?

Perhaps a bit. The pistons were from IAP and claimed to raise the CR a tad. Also I had 10 thou shaved off the head.
The car is fun to drive for sure but as for out and out performance....nope not there compared to newer cars, especially my aprox.300 HP VW Passat.
If I were to do it again ( I do have a rust free shell in a container) much the same to the engine but would go straight to 85mm pistons and I have a 1800 re-freshed head with bigger valves, ported on the shelf. Still use the stock FI system I'd think.

[joelittel]

The vendors always comment that the stock FI system will limit upgrades to the engine when I'm discussing my options.

I've come to assume that the L-Jet won't deliver as much fuel / air as my setup is willing to consume.

I'm not super excited about paying high dollar amounts for low increases in hp, but I do want to take full advantage of the mods I already have in the car.

Can the older computronics unit be made to work with megasquirt?