Dauntless Fuel Injection

Yup... I should have stated in my post that I had e-mailed them with the above questions. I certainly would not commit any $$ until some sort of supporting data is provided. Hopefully I get a response prior to me leaving for Tokyo next weekend...

 

I called Howell and they assured me that the kit is for the odd fire version and they told me that that the tach signal is handled off the negative side of the coil?

 

Is anyone actually getting better performance with a FI setup then a simple carb? May be a silly question but all I ever see is posts from people who can't get FI to work properly after investing as much money as their Jeep is worth all together. I have been looking at FI for a couple years and no one has ever said that any one system works well without any problems. I may add that the Jeep I want to put it on has a even fire 231, Holley dual plane 4v intake with exhaust manifolds, HEI and a 400 turbo and a 20 tcase

 

Just sent them an email addressing the lack of crank trigger. I have been gathering GM TBI components for my CJ6, and have everything needed except a wiring harness and ECM (PROM). I inquired about the availability of wiring harness and ECM separately also. Keep you posted

 

The Howell system looks like it is a fuel control only, no spark control. I think it should work on even or odd fire since it only controls fuel. The engine would still have to have a mechanical advance distributor. I'd be interested to see if it actually goes into closed loop.

 

Received this today in response to my email sent yesterday
"

Gary,
Yes the harness/ECM and calibration prom are avalible for the HB225 Kit.
Cost
HB225 Harness $350.00
HB225 ECM $135.00
HB225 Calibration Prom $200.00
All parts in stock and ship the same day ordered.
Matt Howell
Howell Engine Developments, Inc. 6201 Industrial Way
Marine City, MI 4803
810-765-5100
810-765-1503 fax"

No mention of any crank trigger requirement, I think Willys43 nailed it, Fuel only, HEI or distributor is stand alone, fuel control only, so no crank trigger needed.

 

What I noticed looking at Howells kit there was no ESC module or knock sensor. These are must have for computer controlled timing. GM ECMs will pickup distributor pulses from an HEI distributor. I have one on my test bench and I haven't noticed any problem picking up signals when I spin the distributor, that's coming off the pickup coil or off the ignition module. It looks like Howell's system would produce even or uneven fuel pulses depending on the signal pulses the ECM receives from the distributor.

 

I had the Holley 2D Projection on my Orange CJ5, it was a pretty reliable, pretty bold on kit (I already had done HEI). I have the complete kit still including the optional closed loop o2 sensor kit. PM me if you're interested.

Mike

 

x2 on the fuel only control with these throttle body injection systems. It's not like its got an injector for each individual cylinder and needs to control timing, I always looked at throttle body injection as just a step above carbs, they just do a better job controlling your fuel. If you have an HEI upgrade in place, your ignition system is already squared away. No need to mess with it too.

 

I can only think of one reason to try FI . and that was when I would go to the mountains in calif . loss of power above 5'000 ft . now would the FI make changes for altitude . but still that's a large investment

 

Here in Utah we have Moab, that's why I added FI, the sidehills and uphills wreak havoc on carbs fuel delivery. It sucks when you stall out on a rocky hill and can't start your jeep back up so you have to roll down backwards while your jeeps isn't running!

 

Other than easier and unattended starting, better economy, more power, immunity to attitude and bumps/jolts, much better durability and reliability, automatic mixture adjustment in response to air pressure (altitude) and both ambient and engine temperature, advance adjustment in response to load/temperature/altitude/preignition (and accompanying improved performance), lower emissions, and overall reduced complexity, I can't think of much reason to convert.

The main barriers is the significant expense of a turnkey system, or the research and modest expense needed for a junkyard system. Not zero cost, but what is?

 

Having just come back from my first trip to Moab, I couldn't agree more. I can't imagine running Fins N Things with a carbureted engine. As close to vertical as I've ever been.

 

Actually, it's not impossible to be under the cost of a New 4bbl and Intake Manifold, if you're going the Boneyard TBI/O2 Sensor and Megasquirt route. Fairly comparable anyway, if you're judicious about reusing stuff.

 

Sorry if that sounds snarky ... was meant more as tongue-in-cheek than snarky.

 

Does the megasquirt system com preprogrammed for your engine?

 

While a fuel injection setup can control the fuel mixture to compensate for altitude changes, you will still have power loss at high elevation. Simply put, less oxygen to make the fuel go BOOM!
Even supercharged dragsters run slower in Denver than at sea level....