Is the MPFI that much better than the AFI complete kit?

[Jim Grammer]

Originally Posted by Bill usn-1

As for todays cars....I think most of us are aware that the reduced emissions are major factor in the systems design and use.

It's all about driving cost out of the assembly and meeting CAFE/emissions requirements. Once you head down the plastic(OK, 'engineered resin' ) intake tract path, you are committed to a dry intake and MPI. That gets you net molded shape parts already set up for your nice molded gasket that requires no sealer, making the whole mess quicker/easier(read cheaper) to assemble. Then...you have a small army of software people tweek the last gnat's patoot out of the EPA city/highway cycles, have it pass the emissions sniffer, and turn the screw to it everywhere else so you've got some HP #'s to advertise! Simple!!

I think our thread starter should pop for the extra bling, it'll look good listed alongside that there other stuff. What's another $2K at this point?

[yoursmiledoc]

Good point about pooping another 2K. Unfortunately because of the list of other mods, I don't have an extra 2K at this point. I called and spoke with D&C and ordered the AFI stage III complete kit. My engine has been bored 30 over but other than that, it was rebuilt with new stock componets other than the exhaust port being bored out a bit. At this point if I was going to spend another 2K it would be in head work and a cam. I am considering pulling the heads and getting that done with the extra 2K and re-programming the fuel injection. I will need to wait several months (like after I finalize my taxes next spring) to get the head work done. I ordered the staun's 612-t headers because they will allow me to run the passenger side under the oil pan in the notch where the stock axle went and combine on the drivers side to one 3" tube. It is coming together and we hopefully will be in one of the popular four wheeling magazines later this year.

Bob

[Allan E]

Bob-

It was nice to meet you, too. The club meets in Tempe, the second Tuesday of each month. Details on the SDS site. The club website is www.sonoradesertscouts.com last time I looked. I'll get you a card to fill out so you can get a couple of free newsletters.

Word of advice: The "other brand" crate motor will give you a whole lot of top end that you can't possibly use. If you want your scout to be able to do 130 mph, yes, it will help, but that 345 has so much low end grunt, you just will not be able to improve the trail performance with anything other than a decent sized diesel. With the Stak case, I am assuming you already have deep enough gearing.

I have a school bus with a 345 in it. It weighs 14,500 lbs completely empty, about 16K with people and gear. I can get up and go in it. I'll take you for a ride if you want. This thing is so big that it has air brakes.

"Which engine to you have?" I point to my school bus.

I suggested you put in the Holley TBI simply because it will take all the disadvantages of the carb off the table. Are there better ways to get EFI? Absolutely. Are they worth the investment? Not so sure. We live in Yavapai county. No smog checks. The only advantage you could possibly get would be cleaner emissions. You can tweek the TBI with a vaccum guage and come pretty close to top fuel economy. I like the idea of the vacuum gauge and an Air/Fuel gauge on the dash and call it good.

My favorite so far is the megasquirt, but I don't have the time, so I have not made the investment. This is simply because I could tune it with a lap top and monitor the results. That is not necessary, but I am an electronics nerd, and it sounds like a fun way to indulge myself. Alas, no time. Maybe next year...

Don't let Bill snow you. All those people who got lost looking at my binders would have gotten lost anyway, and besides, we found all of them... eventually.

[Chrispucci]

Originally Posted by yoursmiledoc

I ordered the staun's 612-t headers because they will allow me to run the passenger side under the oil pan in the notch where the stock axle went and combine on the drivers side to one 3" tube.
Bob

Watch out for greatly increased engine compartment temps with your crossover under the oil pan.... I haven't noticed any real increase in actual engine temp - just a lot more heat under the hood.

[yoursmiledoc]

Allen, I will have to stop by sometime. I am sure I will need some help before I am done with the build. I still need to add ram assist steering, make bumpers and sliders, and do a lot of cosmetics/gauges/rhino lining/ etc etc etc. I was shooting the bull with my brother about how to kick up the 345 and let it breathe because I really like the engine. He builds and restores classic muscle cars. We talked about having the heads ported and polished. I called integrity auto and racing to inquire about the job. They said the heads have so much nickel in them that they can hardly port them without wearing out their tools. A street strip port/polish runs $500 for international heads. Since that will not do me much good at low revs, I decided to just add the FI and headers for now. If yours pulls a bus, it should do fine in my scout with a 727/stak 5.4:1/5.33 gear ratio. I should be able to pull stumps out pretty easily.

Chrispucci, I have also considered the heat. I am putting a scoop on the hood and adding a butterfly style street scoop air cleaner that pokes through the hood. I hate mud so it should work. If I decide to go through deep mud, I will just turn it around to point at the windshield. It will not go under until I am over 5' deep so I am not too worried. I realize it will not "scoop" much air but it does seem to let a lot of heat out at low speeds. I always wrap my headers and collecter tubes with the Summit header wrap and it significantly reduces the amount of heat that radiates off the headers. I also noticed it makes the engine compartment much quieter without really affecting the overall rumble. The headers could be difficult to wrap but I will give it a shot.

I will try and take more pics as we enter the engine stage of the build up. I am still deciding on a