2.0 EFI system on 1800 Engine

[blurple124]

Hi all,

It seems that there may have been some related discussions similar to this topic, but I thought I would ask about the specific case.

I just purchased a '78 with the 1756cc engine in it and am loving it. I have no immediate plans but, like all of us, am always dreaming about what I could be doing or will do in the future.

One thought was to change out the carburetor for an EFI system that will make the engine more fuel efficient and more adaptable than the carbs.

Obviously a conversion would be possible, but quite expensive. That got be thinking about the 2000 FI models...

From what I hear, these blocks were very similar and many parts are interchangeable. My question is, is it possible to take the necessary parts off of a 2.0 FI block and bolt them onto the 1800 to convert it to fuel injection? Obviously some work would need to be done on the ECU and I would need to install an O2 sensor along the exhaust system, but do the parts match up?

If so, is this a viable solution? Is it cost effective? Or am I better off saving up for a proper conversion?

[124JOE]

yes you can put thr intake "FI"in and you need a few things O2 sencer,temp sencer "the tee fitting"
and megasquert for the ECU

I also want to do this mod
i have all but megasqert and wire harness

[blurple124]

There is actually a guy right here (in Milwaukee, WI) who runs an engine control business. It is called CSI and his system is as good, if not better than megasquirt. Here is his website: http://www.electroniccontrol.com/docs/Products.htm

You can check that out as another option, if you'd like.

What is the tee fitting that you mentioned? And how much of a 2.0 engine would I need (besides the sensors)?

Is the cost lower in doing this? You said you had started acquiring parts, perhaps you have an idea...

[htchevyii]

If you aren't going for higher than stock performance you can just but a complete 2.0 FI setup and slap it on. I bought a complete setup from Lanciaf aka Ralph.

[124JOE]

IDK if i need a crank posision sencer or not

the tee fitting for the rad and one goes to the thermostat .joe

[blurple124]

If you aren't going for higher than stock performance you can just but a complete 2.0 FI setup and slap it on. I bought a complete setup from Lanciaf aka Ralph.

Wouldn't the difference in displacement cause some issues with doing this? How much will that run me? I would think it is cheaper than a conversion....

[htchevyii]

I've heard that it even works well on the 1608. Here's some conversion info:
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/ficonv.html

[kmead]

EFI can work with most any sized engine. FI measures either the mass or volume of air being sucked into the cylinders and then injects the right amount of fuel to properly burn in each cylinder (as the air is moving into the cylinder). The Fiat system uses an oxygen sensor to go through a feedback loop to determine if enough or too much fuel was injected and can adjust it for the next combustion cycle (within a narrow range).

There are of course limits to how small or large a displacement engine you can use a given injection system with due to size of injectors (ml of fuel delivered for a given opening duration), air measurement system ability to read the amount of air going through the intake, mapping and so on.

For example the X1/9 with a 1490cc engine, uses similar components to the Spider but the air flow sensor is smaller, the injectors have a lower flow rate and a somewhat different map for how much fuel is injected when. So for example if I were to add the 124 Spider manifold to a 1438cc twincam, I would use components from an X1/9: air flow sensor and injectors along with the "brain". I suspect the existing components would be somewhat outsized for a 1608 as well but I have been wrong in the past and will be wrong again.

As for using the system as is from a 2000 on an 1800, I doubt there would be much problem (the only thing might be that the injectors are too big but I doubt that would be an issue).

[pastaroni34]

I can confirm that using the stock L-Jet injection from a 2 liter will work fine on an 1800. One of my cars came this way when I bought it and it was very happy indeed.

[TX82FIAT]

The stock FI should work fine. if you are going to a programmable system i would strongly recommend a crank sensor with a Ford EDIS system. Really impressed with the set up so far. No issues and very, very reliable to date.

[blurple124]

Would any of you who have done this conversion have an idea of the cost to do it?

I am hoping that when I do this I can do it on a budget and be able to get the car back on the road within a reasonable amount of time.

[blurple124]

Would any of you who have done this conversion have an idea of the cost to do it?

I am hoping that when I do this I can do it on a budget and be able to get the car back on the road within a reasonable amount of time.

[htchevyii]

Your best bet is to buy all of the parts at once from someone parting out a car. If it was recently running, even better. Going prices seem to be $300-$500. A good running rust bucket would make a good donor as well, you might be able to buy a whole car for $400-500 and sell the other parts for enough to cover the purchase price or even make a little.

[pooldoctorstl]

I have an 82 with FI and I love it, but I would think installing it in your 78 would be a lot of work for the result you would get. The 78 is one of the worst carb systems due to the emissions restrictions so don't assume that all carbureted Spiders run like yours because it is one of the worst years for emmisions restrictions in our cars. Before you do it, consider other carb options like the EMPI 32/36 DFEV from Mark, our moderator in this forum or other vendors that sell aftermarket carb set-ups. You didn't say where you live but if you can eliminate the smog crap and upgrade the carb, you will probably be very pleased. A properly tuned carburetor will run as well as fuel injection, and you will have more flexiblility down the road if you want to put cams in it or do other engine mods.

Good luck,
Jeff