Fuel injection for 318s?

[jordan]

Does anybody know if it is possible to update the fuel delivery system on my 1977 318 Chrysler engines? Would manifolds off of a newer 5.2 l fit on? Just thinking that it could possibly give better fuel economy, easier starting, etc.

Give me your pros and cons please, don't be too harsh on me, my brain is always scheming to change things for the better, I hope!

[alexander38]

I doubt they would fit their not the same blocks. Like when Chevy changed the 350's...I've looked into putting injection on my 454's 7.4's at a cost of 3k per side plus most likely another 1k to 1500.00 for un-foreseen thing's. I'll just wait out a repower to newer updated blocks with fuel injection. So for now I just keep everything in tune..

[prowlersfish]

I don't think there is much difference in the blocks ,( last year of the 318/5.2 was 2002) But most of the converted injection systems don't work well in marine use , they use sensors that won't work with a marine set up , like 02 and speed sensors . I seen it done many times and the all go back to carbs .Aftermarket kits are just as bad .

Now going with a good crusader / marine power /merc EFI engine in a different story they work well .

[Big D]

Different fuel delivery map needed for marine applications.

[jordan]

It was wishful thinking, but sounds like a pain in the a$$! The motors were running fine up until a cylinder lost compression on the port side. I think I'll just leave them the way they are. Less headaches! I'll be ordering new long blocks in the next few months.

Thanks everybody for your input.
Jim

[Commissionpoint]

Like our resident gurus already stated there are some barriers to entry in such a plan. I'm not saying it can't be done, just that you'd be better off repowering with a new EFI power plant instead of trying a retrofit.

Howell makes an adapter for your wet exhaust which allows use of a normal O2 sensor.

As Big D said your biggest trouble is going to be getting a proper fuel map. You would then need access to an E-PRom burner to make yourself a chip.

Good carbs like the Edelbrock 1409's are a lot cheaper. You would have to burn tens of thousands of dollars of fuel to break even on the cost of EFI versus 1409's when it comes to savings generated from fuel efficiency.

Add some Mallory YLM's or YLU's to the Edelbrocks and your old Chryslers will perform better. Might be pretty close to what you are looking for anyways with a total cost of about 1300 for the parts, versus about 5 grand for the EFI conversion parts. The Carb and dizzy upgrade is plug and play. The EFI is not nearly as straightforward of an upgrade. (or anywheres near it for that matter)

[Big D]

.....Good carbs like the Edelbrock 1409's are a lot cheaper. You would have to burn tens of thousands of dollars of fuel to break even on the cost of EFI versus 1409's when it comes to savings generated from fuel efficiency.

Add some Mallory YLM's or YLU's to the Edelbrocks and your old Chryslers will perform better. Might be pretty close to what you are looking for anyways with a total cost of about 1300 for the parts, versus about 5 grand for the EFI conversion parts. The Carb and dizzy upgrade is plug and play. The EFI is not nearly as straightforward of an upgrade. (or anywheres near it for that matter)

++1