EFI Conversion

Today, we're gonna inject some new power and performance into this classic muscle car stay where you are.

V8. Chevys have generated a lot of race winning heart pounding power in the last 47 years.

The first eight was a little late, not hitting the roads until 55. However, Chevy was a forerunner in the development of fuel injection with the advent of the Ram Jet motor in 1957.

Sure, the carburetor lives on today, especially under the hoods. Race cars on tracks for carbs are part of the rule book and the tradition.

But today the fuel injected LS one, for example, is a potent performer with a small block package,

a power plant that delivers over 300 horsepower at the rear wheels of late model Camaros

and that's on a lean diet of 24 miles a gallon on the road.

Of course, technology makes it all possible and you'll find lots of that in this early model.

The owner Kevin King has blended the best of the old and new by actually hiding a 98 Camaro beneath the skin of the 69 pace car.

For example,

he covered the late model seats with the original Houndstooth material swapped in the newer console and shifter that controls an automatic overdrive transmission

and to update the dash, he's added this custom panel with auto meter gauges and controls for a vintage air system.

Now, he's using the 98 tilt column and cruise control. And finally,

he's added this custom bar from year one to top off a truly trick interior.

The exterior is equally impressive with the addition of this rear deck wing and these 18 inch hoops from billets specialties that mount a set of massive steam rollers from BF Goodrich.

This cold air hood hides a late model LS one that's bolted to the frame rails using a kit that's available from year one.

Now, Kevin went ahead and fed up this cold air box that sits on top of a Lingenfelter aluminum intake and it ducts that cool charge right over here to this 80 millimeter BBK throttle body. Now, you don't have to do an engine swap yourself to get fuel injection on your street machine. In fact, today we're gonna update my old 72 grocery getter over there with a fuel injection system from Excel.

We're gonna install their new digital fuel injection set up that's capable of either sequential or non sequential fuel delivery. It uses a single plane intake manifold that mounts this 1000 CFM billet throttle body and it has the injectors already plumbed right into each port.

The setup comes with its own computer, wiring harness, fuel pump and filter, plus the software that you need to program this setup right on your laptop computer.

It looks like we're in for a basic intake swap. You're right now, we still have to find a place to mount that computer, plug up the wiring harness and find a suitable location for that +02 sensor. But if you've done an intake manifold swap before, well, chances are you can handle this.

X.

Of course, before we see where we're going, we need to see where we've been

earlier today. We baseline the silver bullet on our

dyno Jet.

Now, as you may remember, it's got a Chevy 502 engine that by a four barrel carburetor

on this run, it made 361 horsepower at the rear wheels.

Of course, before unbolting any parts, we disconnected the battery and drain the radiator.

And the first things to go are these accessory brackets.

Then disconnect all the fuel lines,

fluid lines

and electrical connections.

After moving the cap and plug wires,

our distributor can come out

and finally with the intake boats all out, we can remove the manifold and carburetor as an assembly.

Even if you have done this job before, it's always a good idea to label your connections and hoses,

little masking tape and a sharpie could save you a lot of aggravation and that's a great tip.

Well, I'm about ready to clean the old gaskets off the cylinder heads. Now, while we keep working, why don't you keep watching? We'll be ready to bolt on this new intake. When we come back,

once we get that new intake into place, we'll install the brains of this, set up a high tech computer.

Plus we'll show you how to push more fuel to your EF I engine. Next.

Hi. Welcome back to the horsepower shop where today we're taking a classic muscle car

into the 21st century. Thanks to three magic words, electronic fuel injection.

Ef I can add more power and fuel efficiency to any engine.

Today. We're updating the Tr at 502 and Chuck's wagon

with an EF I conversion kit from Excel.

So far we've removed the old. Now, we're ready for the new,

I've already removed the old intake gaskets and replaced them with new ones from Mr gasket. Now, once I get this be of silicone on each end of the block,

we'll be ready for that new intake.

And here it is. Tell you what, give me a hand and

we'll get this thing straight the first time.

Let's drop it right down in there.

All right.

Put a dab of anti C

on each intake bolt

and tight them from the center out

in a crisscross pattern,

reinstall, the accessory brackets

and the heater and radiator hoses.

Next, we can mount the computer. Uh, Excel has engineered this thing to withstand extreme temperature changes and resist any electrical interference, so it'll easily live right here in the engine compartment.

We've already drilled our holes right here in the inner fender. Well, so we're gonna mount this thing using these rubber isolators.

The harness that comes with this kit may look a little imposing at first, but it's a lot simpler than you imagine. See all the leads are clearly marked

and the shapes of the ends are matched for their proper connections.

Well, we'll get started by plugging in these injectors,

followed by the water temp sensor. It's that simple.

The rest are explained in your manual

to power the system. We have two wires going to the battery.

This pink wire goes to a 12 volt source that's hot when the ignition is on a

red one for the fuel pump. And finally,

this black wire goes to a ground.

Once Joe finishes up with the electrical work, we'll have about done all that we can under the hood. So let's get started on a fuel system. Now, fuel injection needs at least 45 P si to operate properly. So we're gonna install this high pressure pump as close to the tank as possible. And that's because this pump pushes the fuel a whole lot better than it pulls it.

Then we're gonna follow up with this matching fuel filter

and then we'll install it downstream and it's gonna help keep all the trash

out of our fuel injectors.

First, we need to get the old silver bullet in the air so that we can run that new fuel line and drop the gas tank and add that new pickup.

Fuel injection needs a feed and return line. And since the old

bell has always been carbureted,

we'll add some dash six as a new feed line and use the old one as a return.

We ordered 20 ft of this braided stainless steel line from Goodrich along with all the fittings, we need to make our connections.

I wanna make sure to run this line away from heat and rotating parts. In fact,

as you can see here, we're zip tying into the old feed line

since it's already properly routed.

We got lucky with our tank. It already had a 38 speed line

and a 5/16 return line already in the tank. So we just connected our new lines to them. Now, you may not be so lucky. You might need to add a new sump and pick up to your tank and well, if you do, you can always use your old pickup for your new return. Now, if that's the case, here's a little important tip for you, make sure you drain all the gas out of your tank and take it down to a radio shop and have it flushed. Let the professionals finish off those modifications.

We mounted our new fuel pump and filter right here on the frame rail.

Now, our new feed line from the tank connects right here to the pump and then through the filter and then this line just goes right up into the engine compartment

from the tank. Our return line just connects to our old feed line right here.

Ok. It's got it.

Well, while my partner was fooling with that tank back there,

I went ahead and installed our 02 sensor here on the exhaust.

Speaking of which, I'm a little bit exhausted myself. So I'll tell you what. We'll jump back under the hood right after a short break,

coming up a better way to bring that Chevy big block to life before we fire it up and put it to the horsepower test.

Hey, Joe, what do you say? We make a bet on how much power this thing makes? Yeah. And if you win, maybe you can afford a haircut. Oh, man,

if you win, you need to make a down payment on a Chevy. Oh, never.

Welcome back to the shop where we're winding up our fuel injection upgrade on Chuck's grocery getter here.

Now, you may remember this DF I system can operate in either a batch fire bowl where multiple injectors fire all at once or a sequential mode where individual injectors are timed for the combustion cycle of each cylinder.

Yeah, that's just a lot more efficient way of delivering the fuel and it's also gonna eliminate fuel puddling behind the intake valves. Now,

the whole key to making it work though is the ignition. And let me show you what we're gonna be using.

The main component. Is this dual sync distributor from a LDF I now it sends signals to both the computer and the ignition box and eliminates the need for AC AM sensor and a crank trigger to help determine cylinder position.

Now, that way the computer knows exactly which cyder needs fuel and when to deliver it.

Now, the distributor uses this billet, small diameter body for reliability and they give us a little more room at the back of the engine. Now, we're gonna finish off our ignition system with a set of these XL 300 plus race wires.

Well, here's the mallory high fire six digital ignition we're using with those components.

Now it's a high output multi strike system with built in rev limiters

and touch pad controls for easy adjustable.

We're mounting it here on the driver's side, fender wheel away from head or heat where it gets plenty of cool air.

The

Ecco coil mounts here on the firewall with a short wire to the distributor. So we get the full 50,000 volts of output

before we drop in the distributor, we have to sync it up with the engine and the computer.

Now to do that,

you have to plug up the harness, leave the ignition key on, then rotate the distributor

until both lights go out

there.

Then we have to ensure that number one is a top dead center so we can drop in the distributor,

lock it down

and add the cap and wires.

Now, this is gonna be the absolute cool part.

I've loaded the software into this laptop and connected it to our DF I box.

Now, you need Windows 98 or higher to run this plug and play program.

The DF I box is gonna take us through a five step set up process. Watch this.

Now, the first one is throttle position sensor set points.

There's our base. Let's go ahead and store that

now. Good. Now, Chuck open or wide open.

There it is. Let's store that one

and setting the base idle and timing is just as easy. Yeah, but the engine has to be running to do that. So let's fire this thing up. I can't wait to hear it

sounds good.

Well done all this thing when I'm done and I can collect on that bet.

Remember our baseline was 361 horsepower.

Oh Hanson bet 410 horsepower. This time

I put my money on 400.

There's a grand total of 408 horsepower at the rear wheels. I guess you get a free trip to the barbershop there. Uh Samson, you know what? We could tune more power to this thing if we had time. Yeah, but we're out of time. Now, this whole setup costs us about $3200 for everything and you can probably spend the better part of the day installing it all. Yeah, but we want you to spend more time with us today. We got more show ahead. Stay with us

next. We take you to a one of a kind car show in Tennessee where a big hearted hot rider carries on a mission of helping Children

with big blocks burnouts and a thing called Cars for kids. There's nobody coming, hit me

if it's coming to hit me, it wouldn't be two people here,

but they all come to help the kids.

Hi, thanks for staying with us.

You know, since Chuck and I have been bringing you the show over six years now. We've taken you to a lot of car events, some for the quickest race cars,

some for the slickest show cars.

But recently we found a special event over in West Tennessee. That's all about cars for kids.

American motor heads everywhere are crazy about their car shows.

Whether the star players are vintage street rides or Mopar muscle cars from the sexy sixties.

Why even tricked out dressed up tuners are getting in the act.

Those that got them like to flaunt them

and those that don't love to grow.

This annual event in Little Selmer, Tennessee is a car show with the cars.

It all started back in the late eighties when a local resident's son was severely injured in a traffic accident

when you have an injury

that's life threatening. You'll start praying to the Lord and I've done some heavy praying. If you let him live,

we would uh do something to help heavy

handicap

abuse kids.

Larry Price's prayers were answered and cars for kids was born

since 1990 over a million dollars has been raised at races and shows like this one in his hometown.

This annual cars for kids carnival attracts some pretty dedicated volunteers

like flow masters. Richard Small who flies in from Northern California each year to lend his culinary skills.

I've been doing this for about 11 years now and come out here and

cook on the weekend for cars for kids and everything that we sell here goes for the charitable cause. But

besides that, I like to cook. It's a lot of fun.

Another volunteer Ken Stapleton showed us the hot rod wheelchair with its big block Chevy engine specially built to entertain kids in hospitals and orphanages around the mid south

when they get in there, you know, the expression on his children's face.

Uh It's, you know, it's uh you can't put a price on it.

Horsepower comes in all shapes and sizes here in west Tennessee farming country. The tractor pool draws contestants in, in all age groups and with all kinds of power packages. Of course, human body English seems to play a big part too.

But the highlight of this cars for kids event happens right out here on one of the main streets of Selmer with a local woman looking on.

It's a parade where burnouts are not only permitted.

They're expected to by getting away with this on the streets of L A.

There's an unofficial competition for the best baloney boiler and Larry Chevy was a strong contender,

but my money was on this green pickup truck. One that laid down quite a heap of hot rubber.

An estimated $100,000 was raised for children's charities this weekend. Thanks to the crowd and of course that big hearted burly man who's carried on a cars for kids mission

for over 12 years.

There's nobody come and hit me.

If it's coming to hit me, it wouldn't be two people here

but they all come to hit the kid

and I like it.

We're gonna keep doing it,

we're gonna keep doing it. So

you cover me up. Maybe somebody else will pick it up.

Horsepower T V's hot parts is brought to you by jags. One call gets it all. One click, gets it quick.

Most classic muscle cars were long on motor like your hair used to be

and short on brakes like your hair is now cut it out.

But bear has an easy upgrade now that lets you use your original 15 inch wheels and retain that classic muscle car look.

They call it the Siri Street system and it's designed to bolt right up to most 64 to 72 G MA bodies plus a lot of Camaro and Nova platforms as well.

This setup features two piston aluminum PB R calipers drilled and slotted directional rotors and of course the appropriate bracket that you need to bolt everything up right to your stock spindle.

Now, the price shouldn't stop you from making this easy upgrade. This setup will set you back less than a grand.

Well, if you wanna stop rod failure permanently, just check out these 4340 chrome Molly H beam connecting rods from eagle specialty products.

Now, these are the potent Ls one Chevy engine, but they've got them for other popular applications as well.

Each is fitted with high tensile strength A RP cap screws and they use the popular 927 inch piston pin inside a small end that's bronze bush.

Now at $540 a set,

it's a small price to pay for a lot of piece of money.

Speaking of LS ones, here's a great way to turn all that power into a lower et slip TCI. S Super Street Fighter is a 10 inch converter that gives you the best of both worlds. A higher stall speed for an improved launch and full lock up for easy highway cruising.

It features furnace bras, fins and Torrington bearings for reliability, plus a carbon fiber clutch pack for positive lock up.

Now, these things will fit any 98 and up F body and pickup trucks that have the 4.8 or 5.3 L engine.

Don't the call to your favorite speed shop though. These things go for about 480 bucks.

Well, if you go for that Great Flow Master Sound, here's some news, you'll be glad to hear. Their 4050 series Delta flow mufflers are now available in 409 stainless steel.

Now, that means you'll be able to enjoy that powerful sound and solid performance with lasting durability.

They're available for most popular applications with a variety of power

diameters and offsets with a

price that shouldn't offset your budget too much. Starting at 85 bucks. Well, it sounds to me like we're out of time today but be sure to join us here again next week and we'll see you then.

Nice haircut. Oh, well, that's what I get for making a bet for me. But you know what, next time we're gonna use my barber. Not that bet you sent me to.

Yeah. Even if you have done this job before, it's always a good idea to label all your connections and

hoses, hos, hos. Yeah. Them hoses, hoses.

Even if you have done this job before, it's always a good, I hunted Wilbur again. Damn, it

always a good idea. Always.

Now, I'm about ready to clean the old gaskets off the cylinder heads there.

And while you keep, wait,

well, you keep waiting, we're gonna keep watching