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jbsails · 01-21-2012, 05:09 PM

Pretty excited about taking posession later this week of a new to me 1977 Argosy 20 footer with the 454 motor.

The previous owner told me he was considering installing a EFI kit.

I am curious if any of you have done this upgrade? Was it worth it? What are the benefits?

Your advice and experiences are appreciated.

WineStream · 01-21-2012, 05:54 PM

I'll be interested in following this. I have a '77 24' with the 454. Being a hot-rod guy in my past, I have an itch to put some stuff into the 454 but I also realize that this is a motorhome, not a race car. I have no plans right now to change anything as it runs good but I can see a few years down the road doing something with the motor. A bolt-on EFI is not something I had considered. I was thinking more like a cam, some carb. tuning, and cold-air intake ducting to avoid drawing in hot air off the radiator.

92landyacht · 01-21-2012, 06:14 PM

A good well tuned EFI system will usually beat a carb in both fuel economy and power band. Keep in mind that fuel is only one aspect in producing reliable power. Exhaust, intake and ignition upgrades should also be considered. I'd be interested in following your progress as well.

Waipio Rim · 01-22-2012, 09:18 AM

There are several posts on this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...arb-55577.html

on this subject, including #10 by Mary Contrary who installed a Powerjection system and is happy with it. If you are registering it in California, you may need a smog legal system.

Keyair · 01-22-2012, 02:22 PM

Hold up....As Waipio Rim stated, first question as you live in CA is what will be smog legal...
You have a '77, so its not exempt.
You can put a Chevy TBI setup on it, but will need to go to a Smog Referee and get it approved...
Any aftermarket kit will need to have a CARB number.

92landyacht · 01-22-2012, 04:04 PM

One of the many reasons I don't live in CA.

choctawmel · 01-22-2012, 05:49 PM

I install EFI on the 'Silver Bullet' in 2004. It was all GM parts with a after market harness. Total cost was about $1700. Was getting 4mph, no power, couldn't maintain 60mph on the interstate. After I installed it I got 6.3mpg and could set the cruise and go! Would never go back!

Keyair · 01-22-2012, 06:24 PM

Try asking these guys...
http://howellefi.com/tbi-kit-454-502...i-2bbl-en.html

crazeevw · 01-22-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Try asking these guys...
GM TBI Products :: Complete TBI Kits :: 454 & 502 TBI Kits :: TBI KIT: 454/502 HP/TBI 2bbl - Howell Engine Developments, Inc.

Steve, with this setup, if I'm reading it correctly, you'd still need a new electronic distributor and coil. Still, something worth considering......
Thanks, Derek

dadstoy · 01-22-2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92landyacht

One of the many reasons I don't live in CA.

I know what you mean, but it is nice to breath clean air here...at least in the state of North California

perryg114 · 01-23-2012, 05:29 AM

I thought Holly had a kit that would fit? Has anyone checked out Summit Racing?

Perry

Keyair · 01-23-2012, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazeevw

Steve, with this setup, if I'm reading it correctly, you'd still need a new electronic distributor and coil. Still, something worth considering......
Thanks, Derek

Strangely, I have the complete TBI setup, with intake, TBI, HEI Dizzy, Exhausts, Airpump, Belt system, Harness, and ECU from a 1990 454 Suburban sitting in a couple of boxes in my storage.....
Just in case...
Would only need about 3 weeks of hard labor, and appointment with a Smog Referee.
Gonna stick with the carb if i can tho...

92landyacht · 01-24-2012, 06:48 AM

Amazing that making a vehicle use less fuel and produce fewer emissions requires a referee.

Kota · 01-24-2012, 09:32 AM

I've done several EFI conversions on 4X4s. Mostly Ford 302s. My suggestion would be to find the newest low milage 454 in a donor vehicle with EFI and transplant the entire engine and maybe transmission along with all the components to make it run like it did in the newer vehicle. Millions went into engineering these complete systems. Lots of subtle changes in cams, heads, intakes, etc make the whole system work. Dry runner intakes and sequential electronic fuel injection (newer engine) are far superior to putting a TBI on a wet runner manifold (Carbed).

The 454s used on Airstreams are from the worst era compromises to control emissions. Low compression, rich mixtures, and air pumps and cats to burn off the excess hydrocarbons lead to low NOx at the cost of lower power and lousy fuel efficiency.

Here's a picture of a 2000 Exlorer 5.0L running in the test stand. It's going into a 69 Bronco (classic Bronco).

Keyair · 01-24-2012, 11:50 AM

I agree wholeheartedly Dakota!
My issue is, and here is the rub..
The cost of what you suggest is high... if I was gonna go the all that trouble I would stuff a Diesel in it, say a 6BT from a 98 Dodge truck, get the referee to approve the conversion, get better Torque, better mileage, and never have to smog it again!

Kota · 01-24-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

I agree wholeheartedly Dakota!
My issue is, and here is the rub..
The cost of what you suggest is high... if I was gonna go the all that trouble I would stuff a Diesel in it, say a 6BT from a 98 Dodge truck, get the referee to approve the conversion, get better Torque, better mileage, and never have to smog it again!

I'd look for something with a 7.4 Vortec. 96 or so. I think it would move that Argosy along quite smartly. It would be efficient, quiet, smooth, and run clean.

As much as I like the 6BT, I think it would be pretty noisy sitting up front.

I've bought wrecked donor vehicles with low milage drivetrains for much less than some of these EFI aftermarket kits. I paid $500 for that 2000 Explorer with 65,000 miles it. Very clean and runs like a new engine.

Keyair · 01-24-2012, 06:17 PM

Yes, thats a good play to... just dont use the Exploder tires or suspension!

Kota · 01-24-2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Yes, thats a good play to... just dont use the Exploder tires or suspension!

Just the engine and the 4R70W.

doorgunner · 01-24-2012, 08:05 PM

somewhere on this forum a member stuffed a cummins diesel into a moho with great results. He did a real sweet job of describing the whole process. bought him a dodge pick up for cheap and off he went.

choctawmel · 01-25-2012, 12:40 PM

Don't know if I did the right thing with changing to EFI, but in the 7 years and over 45,000 miles I've driven 'Silver Bullet' with the EFI I've saved in the neighborhood of 4100 gallons of gas. Was able to burn regular instead of premium. That's somewhere in the area of $8-$12,000 back on a $1700 investment and less than 2 weeks to install it. The extra torque did take out the frontend of the Allison 545 transmission eventually.
As far as changing the engine/transmission: Wish I'd come across the 8.1/T-1000 before I'd already bought the 4L80e. Then after the 4L80e toasted in less then 500 miles, wish I'd used it as a boat anchor and started over with the 8.1/T-1000. With all the setback I had making the 4L80e work I think I'll be glad I did it too. Besides, had to put an electronic speed-o-meter in, so now I have a 1986 motor home with 500 miles on her. How cool is that!
It's time to think about replacing the cam set next. You know they don't last forever. Maybe a hyd roller cam? More lift, more duration, more power, less heat.