Fuel injected classic question

[Long Knight]

How hard is it to install a fuel injected engine into one of these classic vehicles. Anyone ever done this or know anyone who has done this? Cost of engine? What tranny to use? I use to know a guy (don't think he's around anymore) that did it, claimed to have the only IROC Hudson in the world. He even had center caps made for his wheels that said "IROC Hudson." Thing drove great!

[slam33]

The new kit like Holley or Edel are great and easy to do. If your looking at the old stuff like a Hilborn, it's more involved and know you milage is going to go in the dumper

[Wasted Income]

My '69 used to be fool injected. We used the TBI setup from an '89 pickup, and modified the wiring harness from a '90, the motor was and still is a '94 LO5, and the transmission was and is an '87 700-R4 with updates. Retrofitting the EFI wasn't too bad, except we made our own wiring harness and could never quite get the bugs worked out. I really wish I would've used a Ron Francis or Painless Wiring, or Street and Performance stand alone harness that's designed exactly for this job. It was ultra cool though, complete with the ALDL under the dash and a "Check Engine" light in the factory cluster........maybe some day when I can afford that LT1 or LS1 I'll go back.

[stknrdr]

I've not done one on one of these trucks yet, but Ive done several classic Ford broncos, and the concepts are about the same Id guess.

If you want to do it cheaply, find a donor vehicle and rob all the parts you need off of it - components, wiring harness, etc.

You will have to plumb a new fuel system, as fuel injection requires higher pressure (this isnt as difficult as it sounds, what I usually do is run low pressure up to the engine compartment using my stock lines, and then mount an external high pressure fuel pump on the firewall or somewhere, and run a length of high pressure flex hose from there to the injection system. My high pressure system is usually all of 2 feet long). You will also have to plumb a return line - which is pretty easy too, its low pressure.

From what I have read, the TBI and some of the earlier TPI setups will bolt right onto your stock heads.

Id scour the internet for sites, im sure someone has done this and wrote all about it, thats how I did my bronco.

Its very doable though, you just need to find the info on what wire goes where etc.

I've been toying with the idea of trying to put the new vortec injection on mine, but I havent found all the info I need yet, Im not sure what sensors are in the new block that I wouldnt have on my old one, and so forth.

[Andy4639]

I installed my own out of a 86 camero, 305 HO TPI. Used a street and performance wire harness. I also installed the 700-R4. I have had it in my truck since about 87 with over 300,000 miles on it. I drive it everyday. You can see more of it on my signature if you like and send me a pm if you want to tlk about it.

[red71cheyenne]

I got my TPI from ebay, and everything that wasn't with it from a TPI distributor. Had to buy a harness for it too, and it has the ALDL and light in it. Its a little expensive, but no more than the one from Painless. The setup and installation is straightforward and fairly easy. The only thing I would really emphasize, is when you get the 700R4, get it done by a good tranny guy that knows how to upgrade them to post-87 standards and set the pressures correctly. Good luck, Jeff.

[the binder]

i bought a mercury marine vortech 350/300hp mpi complete plug and play for 3,500 its in now with a 700r4 behind it but have yet to hear it run

[chris 71K5]

I converted my older carb motor to TPI using parts from my buddy's 91 Camaro (which now has a carbed race motor), it was a fairly simple conversion and I can get any part I need at the local parts store