|
|
|
|
| A CJ7 Owner on: Living with the Mopar Fuel Injection Kit. |
|
|
| August 2, 1999
Living with the Mopar Fuel Injection kit. By George Dempsey I guess the best place to start is at the beginning. The most difficult part of the installation was convincing my wife that we really needed to spend the money for the system. Just when it seemed that all hope was gone, we were on a Rubicon Run and the old BBD started doing it’s thing just as my wife was driving down the Big Sluice. On the trip back home anyone listening to our conversation would have thought that the fuel injection was her idea. Shortly thereafter, one big box arrived at our home. After opening and examining the contents, the only part that seemed to be missing was the vibration damper. So I called and was told that I would have to buy that part separately for an additional $90.00. The advertisement for the kit showed the damper included? Oh well, other than that all the parts were there and clearly marked with an identifying part number. The instructions were clear and easy to understand. However, the pictures could have been a bit clearer. All in all, it was well put together and I feel that the average back yard mechanic can complete the installation as an easy Saturday and Sunday project. The best part of the installation was getting to remove and discard the existing smog computer and all the vacuum hoses and wiring harness. It really cleans up the motor and engine compartment. Here are some of the issues I encountered while doing the installation. You need to check the slack in the timing chain. Replace if it is more than 3 degrees off when brought to top dead center on number one cylinder. My jeep had close to a hundred thousand miles on it so I replaced the chain and the water pump and also pulled the radiator out and had it rodded and cleaned at the local radiator shop. The rest of the install was rather routine. The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor unit on the intake manifold was placed in a vacuum port that was in the way of the brake booster. So I switched it to another vacuum port. The spot they suggest for the new computer is a little tight. But if you remove the radiator overflow and windshield bottles you can get at it. Note: Re-install the charcoal canister first or it is difficult to get it in under the computer. The wiring harness is well marked and is totally pre-connectorized. The new fuel pump is set at 45 pounds per sq. inch and does not like any leaks at all. One of the tank fittings that I used had a small leak that would suck a little air into the line but not let gas leak out. The pump will not prime with any air leaks at all. After fixing the air leak it has been two years and a bunch of Rubicon and Fordyce Trips plus a few others and I have not had any problems with the system. The highest elevation you reach on the Rubicon is around 8000’ and the system works there the same as it does at sea level. I’m looking forward to going to Colorado and trying some of the 10,000’ plus trails there to see how it will work. The one draw back to the system is the computer will run up the rpm’s just as you are trying to ease over a big rock and launch you forward. It seems to happen only when traveling below 1000 rpm’s. My Jeep has a 120 to 1 low range so I don’t run below 1000 rpm’s very much. Even going down steep waterfall type trails I have to give it some throttle to keep moving forward. I hope this helps anyone who is thinking about buying fuel injection for his or her Jeep. I would highly recommend it for anyone. The improvements I noticed with my motor are:
At a time when the "Mean Greenies" are looking for any reason to point the finger at us, we need to keep our rigs as clean burning as possible. Not to mention that at $1.78 for fuel here in California it helps to get all the mileage you can. Here is a picture of my CJ7. My thanks to DirtFirst for this opportunity to share my family’s off road experience and to just say to everyone who reads this to join and support the State Association in your area. And keep up the fight against the "green menace". If anybody has any question or thoughts about the fuel injection system or any "Jeepin thing" please feel free to e-mail me at:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't see a
push-button |
 ( Back to Top )
|
|
All Content:
|
|
| Jeep is a registered trademark of the Daimler-Chrysler Corporation. | |
1997