adjusting fuel pressure on TBI - Various Options

Walter Sherwin wsherwin at home.com
Sat Oct 21 15:55:19 GMT 2000


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_00C5_01C03B55.E0BFD0A0
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Assuming you are using the common GM 2bbl TBI's, you have the following =
options for playing with fuel pressure  (NOTE: most garden variety 2bbl =
TBI regulators were factory set for a range of 9-13psig, but be aware =
that there were also some identical looking ones that were set for =
"other" ranges.  So, it's best to check where you're at before =
swapping).  Options are as follows......

1) Bolt on an aftermarket adjustable TBI regulator from Turbo City, =
Hypertech, JET, etc.  All of these will adjust up to about almost =
15psig, depending upon your setup and pump voltage.  This would be a =
logical replacement for a factory 9-13psig unit, for an engine that has =
been warmed over with a few mods.

2) A step beyond......GM TBI regulator P/N 17113186 is a direct bolt-on =
jobbie, and will give you about 18-20psig fuel pressure.  Additionally, =
this regulator has vacuum compensation capability.  If you hook the =
included vac port to manifold vacuum, then you'll get a part throttle =
fuel pressure decay of roughly 1psig per every 2"Hg manifold vacuum.  =
This comes from certain marine and HT502 applications.

3) A little bigger step beyond.......GM TBI regulator P/N 17113079 is a =
direct bolt-on jobbie, and will give you about 26-32psig.  It does not =
have vac compensation.  This comes from some of the late 90's BBC =
applications.

4) You can add vac compensation to any TBI regulator, if you have the =
time and patience to get creative.  Basically,  you just need to make =
the can assembly that surrounds the backside of the diaphragm "sealed", =
and then plumb it to manifold vacuum.  You can either do this thru =
sealing/welding shut the existing can, or machining a new can.  The shop =
manual tells you not to disassemble these regulators, but in truth they =
are quite easy to dis/re assemble if you are careful. =20

5) You can change the setpoint of your stock regulator by roughly +/- =
2psig, quite easily.  Sometimes without even having to disassemble it.  =
Remove the whole fuel meter cover and regulator assembly from your TBI =
and flip it upside down in your left hand.  You should note a =
rectangular window cut in the side of the regulator can, with the end of =
a tang visibly located somewhere between the extreme ends of that =
window.  The tang is attached to the spring perch within, and it's =
relative up/down position is roughly proportional to the setpoint of the =
regulator.  Move tang up, more pressure, move tang down, less pressure.  =
Now, look at the bottom of the can and you will probably see a beefy =
collar with what appears to be a screw tack welded in the middle.  You =
can either dremel away the tack weld and manipulate the screw, or, you =
can try this next approach.  Firmly grasp the collar with a good set of =
vice grips or channel-lock pliers, and gently attempt to force the =
collar counter clockwise.  Chances are pretty good that the tack welds =
between the can and the collar will snap, and you can then proceed to =
turn the whole collar assembly counter clockwise to raise the pressure =
slightly.  If this does not work for you, or if your regulator does not =
have a collar (as some don't), then you'll have to disassemble the =
regulator to modify it.  Again, spin the perch counter clockwise on the =
screw shaft to compress the spring and raise the pressure.

6) The external regulator approach.........You can also leave your stock =
TBI regulator in place (no need to gut it unless planning to get really =
wild with pressures, and fear a burst diaphragm), and then graft-in any =
flavour of external regulator, into the TBI return fuel line, remote =
from the TBI assembly.  The external regulator can either be a "fixed" =
pressure jobbie without vac compensation (intended to continually =
override the setpoint of the stock TBI regulator), or, it can be a =
"variable" vac compensated jobbie (intended to provide more fuel when =
needed and then cut back and allow the stock TBI regulator to take =
control during cruise). =20

7)  Whether to run a fixed pressure, or a variable pressure,  at the TBI =
injectors all comes down to your personal level of comfort with the TBI =
software at hand.  The most elegant approach is to select a fixed =
pressure operating point, then modify the software injector BPC's to =
suit, and then cal the VE's to suit your engine mods (this carries with =
it the assumption that you will either measure or calculate your new =
injector flow rates at your new pressure setpoint).  But, if software =
modifications are troublesome, then variable pressures can be used to at =
least get things pretty durn close, and then rely upon the INT/BLM =
features to reign things into control.

8)  As a general rule of thumb, I've found that most GM Rochester TBI =
injectors will comfortably tolerate up to 30'ish psig without issue, =
assuming that they are connected to individual 4/1 amp drivers.  There =
are some TBI injectors that can be driven has high as 70psig, but they =
are an exception rather than the norm.


Sorry for the long missive, but I thought I'd dump as many related ideas =
as I could in one place, while I had the chance, in case someone was =
surfing the archives in a couple of years.


Walt.=20



  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: thom358=20
  To: diy_efi at diy-efi.org=20
  Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 11:14 PM
  Subject: adjusting fuel pressure on TBI


  Is there an adjustable fuel pressure regulator for a TBI setup?  is =
there a way to bypass the origional, or gut it and run an aftermarket =
regulator?  I am would like to run more fuel pressure, but I want to be =
able to adjust it.  Any thoughts are appreciated.

  THOM

------=_NextPart_000_00C5_01C03B55.E0BFD0A0
Content-Type: text/html;
	charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D"MSHTML 5.00.3105.105" name=3DGENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Assuming you are using&nbsp;the common GM&nbsp;2bbl =
TBI's, you=20
have the following options for playing with fuel pressure&nbsp; (NOTE: =
most=20
garden variety 2bbl TBI regulators were factory set for a range of =
9-13psig, but=20
be aware that there were also some identical looking ones that were set =
for=20
"other" ranges.&nbsp; So, it's best to check where you're at before=20
swapping).&nbsp; Options are as follows......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>1) Bolt on an aftermarket adjustable TBI regulator =
from Turbo=20
City, Hypertech, JET, etc.&nbsp; All of these will adjust up to about =
almost=20
15psig, depending upon your setup and pump voltage.&nbsp; This would be =
a=20
logical replacement for a factory 9-13psig unit, for an engine that has =
been=20
warmed over with a few mods.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>2) A step beyond......GM TBI regulator P/N 17113186 =
is a=20
direct bolt-on jobbie, and will give you about 18-20psig fuel =
pressure.&nbsp;=20
Additionally, this regulator has&nbsp;vacuum compensation =
capability.&nbsp; If=20
you hook the included vac port to manifold vacuum, then you'll get a =
part=20
throttle fuel pressure decay of roughly 1psig per every 2"Hg manifold=20
vacuum.&nbsp; This comes from certain marine and HT502=20
applications.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>3) A little bigger step beyond.......GM TBI =
regulator P/N=20
17113079 is a direct bolt-on jobbie, and will give you about =
26-32psig.&nbsp; It=20
does not have vac compensation.&nbsp; This comes from some of the late =
90's BBC=20
applications.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>4) You can add vac compensation to any TBI =
regulator, if you=20
have the time and patience to get creative.&nbsp; Basically,&nbsp; you =
just need=20
to make the can assembly that surrounds the backside of the diaphragm =
"sealed",=20
and then plumb it to manifold vacuum.&nbsp; You can either do this thru=20
sealing/welding shut the existing can, or machining a new can.&nbsp; The =
shop=20
manual tells you not to disassemble these regulators, but in truth they =
are=20
quite easy to dis/re assemble if you are careful.&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>5) You can change the setpoint of your stock =
regulator by=20
roughly +/- 2psig, quite easily.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sometimes without even =
having to=20
disassemble it.&nbsp; Remove the whole fuel meter cover and regulator =
assembly=20
from your TBI and flip it upside down in your left hand.&nbsp; You =
should note a=20
rectangular window cut in the side of the regulator can, with the end of =
a tang=20
visibly located somewhere between the extreme ends of that window.&nbsp; =
The=20
tang is attached to the spring perch within, and it's relative up/down =
position=20
is roughly proportional to the setpoint of the regulator.&nbsp; Move =
tang up,=20
more pressure, move tang down, less pressure.&nbsp; Now, look at the =
bottom of=20
the can and you will probably see a beefy collar with what appears to be =
a screw=20
tack welded in the middle.&nbsp; You can either dremel away the tack =
weld and=20
manipulate the screw, or, you can try this next approach.&nbsp; Firmly =
grasp the=20
collar with a good set of vice grips or channel-lock pliers, and gently =
attempt=20
to force the collar counter clockwise.&nbsp; Chances are pretty good =
that the=20
tack welds between the can and the collar will snap, and you can then =
proceed to=20
turn the whole collar assembly counter clockwise to raise the pressure=20
slightly.&nbsp; If this does not work for you, or if your regulator does =
not=20
have a collar (as some don't), then you'll have to disassemble the =
regulator to=20
modify it.&nbsp; Again, spin the perch counter clockwise on the screw =
shaft to=20
compress the spring and raise the pressure.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>6) The external regulator approach.........You can =
also leave=20
your stock TBI regulator in place (no need to gut it unless planning to =
get=20
really wild with pressures, and fear a burst diaphragm), and then =
graft-in any=20
flavour of external regulator, into the TBI return fuel line, remote =
from the=20
TBI assembly.&nbsp; The external regulator can either be a "fixed" =
pressure=20
jobbie without vac compensation&nbsp;(intended to continually override =
the=20
setpoint of the stock TBI regulator), or, it can be a "variable" vac =
compensated=20
jobbie (intended&nbsp;to provide more fuel when needed and then cut back =
and=20
allow the stock TBI regulator to take control during cruise).&nbsp;=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>7)&nbsp; Whether to run a fixed pressure, or a =
variable=20
pressure,&nbsp; at the TBI injectors all comes down to =
your&nbsp;personal level=20
of comfort with the TBI software at hand.&nbsp; The most elegant =
approach is to=20
select&nbsp;a fixed pressure&nbsp;operating point, then modify the =
software=20
injector BPC's to suit, and then cal the VE's to suit your engine mods =
(this=20
carries with it the assumption that you will either measure or calculate =
your=20
new injector flow rates at your new pressure&nbsp;setpoint).&nbsp; But, =
if=20
software modifications are troublesome, then&nbsp;variable =
pressures&nbsp;can be=20
used to at least get things pretty durn close, and then rely upon the =
INT/BLM=20
features to reign things into control.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>8)&nbsp; As a general rule of thumb, I've found that =
most GM=20
Rochester TBI injectors will comfortably tolerate up to 30'ish psig =
without=20
issue, assuming that they are connected to individual 4/1 amp =
drivers.&nbsp;=20
There are some TBI injectors that&nbsp;can be driven has high =
as&nbsp;70psig,=20
but they are an exception rather than the norm.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Sorry for the long missive, but I thought I'd dump =
as many=20
related ideas as I could in one place, while I had the chance, in case =
someone=20
was surfing the archives in a couple of years.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Walt.</FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: =
0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
  <A href=3D"mailto:thom358 at netzero.net" =
title=3Dthom358 at netzero.net>thom358</A>=20
  </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
href=3D"mailto:diy_efi at diy-efi.org"=20
  title=3Ddiy_efi at diy-efi.org>diy_efi at diy-efi.org</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, October 20, 2000 =
11:14=20
  PM</DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> adjusting fuel =
pressure on=20
  TBI</DIV>
  <DIV><BR></DIV>
  <DIV>Is there an adjustable fuel pressure regulator for a TBI =
setup?&nbsp; is=20
  there a way to bypass the origional, or gut it and run an aftermarket=20
  regulator?&nbsp; I am would like to run more fuel pressure, but I want =
to be=20
  able to adjust it.&nbsp; Any thoughts are appreciated.</DIV>
  <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV>THOM</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

------=_NextPart_000_00C5_01C03B55.E0BFD0A0--

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from diy_efi, send "unsubscribe diy_efi" (without the quotes)
in the body of a message (not the subject) to majordomo at lists.diy-efi.org




More information about the Diy_efi mailing list