DIY_EFI abilities and older engines

[David Doddek]

>I've joined this mailing list for this very reason.
>
>I origionally had high hopes for doing a DIY_EFI system that did sequential
>fuel injection, timing control, traction control, and some analog outputs for
>stuff like wastegate control. I knew that wire wrapping the whole thing
>would just result in a quirky system with freaky RF problems, I decided on
>doing it
>on a PCB. Well, I soon learned that I ought to scale back my plans  a little.  
>This decision came when I found out that a four layer board of the 5x7
>variety costs a thousand bucks!  No gaurantee that your design even works,
>either.  Hmm... 

PCB's don't have to be that high priced.  Look for apcircuits on the web.
They have an ftp download giving you a copy of a circuit board program that
allows you to draw the board and make the proper formatted files that most
PCB makers want.  APCircuits also will make 2 5X6 boards for 99 bucks and
deliver in less than a week.  There are many other PCB makers.  Check the
Thomas Register under "printed
circiut boards".

>So, I must scale back a little.  Since I haven't built a single system yet,
>I thought I ought to start smaller.  So out comes the pen, and I scratch a
>line through traction control, wastegate control, timing control, and the
>word "sequential".  There.  Now I have a speed density system with a lamda
>sensor, throttle position sensor, crank sensor, air pressure sensor, and air
>& coolant sensors. Batch fire them injectors!

Good place to start, the other stuff can always be added after the basic
understanding is gained and the all important noise problems are solved.
>
>By the way, I've picked out my test mule: a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 with a 455CID
>W30 spec engine and a muncie 4 speed.  It's in a barn behind twenty boats and
>hasn't seen but ten miles per year of driving since 1985.  I'm hoping to
>preserve the performance of this machine while enhancing the fuel efficiency
>and emissions characteristics.  
>
Nice starting car.  EFI will help economy and emissions since the fuel
quantity is held to a more ideal.  On the 69 fairlane that I simply replaced
the 2V carb with a 2V throttle body from a dodge truck, I picked up 3 mpg
and .4 sec 0 to 60.

>The way I figure it, I'll spend the first summer just getting the thing
>converted to EFI. There will be enough work with intake manifold
>modifications and fuel delivery system fabrication to keep me busy for a
>while. Then, next winter I can wire-wrap me a simple injection system to
>replace the aftermarket ECM.  Hopefully this excercise will be just the
>right kind of primer for building a more complex system like the one I
>originally envisioned.
>
Don't wirewrap if possible.  My first design used an 8085 and all individual
components.  It was so suceptable to noise that when located 10 feet from
the engine and ran off of a powersupply, it would still reset from the
ignition noise.  Use a microcontroller and point to point solder
connections.  Even a few pins wrapped can act line little antennas.  Trust
me I know about 20 volt spikes on the data bus.

>By the way, is there anyone out there who can relate to me some words of
>wisdom on going about this project? Any suggestions on a good EFI computer
>that's rather inexpensive but easy to use?  I need something to prove out my
>hardware.

I am currently getting my system into retail production.  It should be ready
after the first of the year and sell for less than 500 bucks.
>
>--- Dan.
>[Current car: '84 Pontiac Trans Am w/ computer controlled 4bbl.]
>
If you have any specific questions about getting or setting up or selecting
hardware or about what it takes to build your own processor, don't hesatate
to contact me.  Since I have converted two carburated cars to EFI, I have
some good experience and can help to avoid costly mistakes.

David J. Doddek                                          |pantera at dris.com
Owner SGD Electronics & development engineer Caterpillar |h 309 685-7965
Formula SAE 94-95                                        |w 309 578-2931
89 T-bird SC,  69 Fairlane w/SGD EFI                     |fx 217 428-4686
74 Pantera w/Electromitive Tec-II Twin turbos and Nitros |
Hey, If you are going to go fast, go REEEAAL FAST.       |
David J. Doddek                                          |pantera at dris.com
Owner SGD Electronics & Development Engr for Caterpillar |h 309 685-7965
Formula SAE Team Sidewinder 94-95                        |w 309 578-2931
89 T-bird SC,  69 Fairlane w/SGD EFI                     |fx 217 428-4686
74 Pantera w/Electromitive Tec-II Twin turbos and Nitros |
Hey, If you are going to go fast, go REEEAAL FAST.       |