Oh yeah, most areas have visual inspection. So much for my broad thinking. Oregon has pretty lax emissions testing. No underhood, either plug in for OBD-II or the banana in the tailpipe for earlier vehicles. I passed with no AIR system, but I had to gradually lean out my carb to do it. I'll still do TBI for an engine rebuild, with no MPG delusions.will e wrote:You won't pass in Maricopa county. They do a visual inspection and will check for an A.I.R. pump on a 1986 (read in your sig). An Operational A.I.R. pump will mess with the closed loop system. So you might pass tail pipe emissions with an A.I.R that is or appears to be operational but you wouldn't want to leave it on all of the time. Even if you pass tail pipe emissions you still have to pass visual.doug wrote:I'll be switching to TBI with a full rebuild, or a complete 5.3 transplant, and only so I can pass emissions EVERY time. Emissions testing areas aren't getting smaller, but I want to drive an FSJ, no matter where I live. Also, power valves are a product of the seventh circle of hell.
My understanding is they will accept the Howell system if you have the CARB sticker but you need to go to the Motor Vehicle folks to get the waiver. Getting the waiver is not guaranteed.
That's always the best approach to have cash ready when a deal comes along. Eventually the carb is going to wear out on ya.Lumpskie wrote: So, maybe start collecting parts with an eye to do the conversion some time in the next few years.
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Lumpskie wrote:Hey guys,
I just wanted to chime in and say I've been reading and appreciate all of your responses. Since my carb is working pretty well, it sounds like I won't get any horsepower or better gas mileage by switching to TBI. (this surprises me. I though you guys would say that I'd get 1 or 2 mpg and a small bump in HP) Currently, I fast pass emissions and can drive over the Eisenhower tunnel without any issues.
What it sounds like I would get is a system that I would better understand. I've never owned a carb'd vehicle. So, they are black magic to me. Plugging in a laptop and adjusting timing and fuel sounds like something I can learn. That being said, I don't know if it's worth a large investment right now. So, maybe start collecting parts with an eye to do the conversion some time in the next few years.
Bill: Do you offer tuning services for a NOOB? I'm thinking that I would like to try tuning it on my own then having a knowledgeable person look at the logs and tell me what I'm doing wrong.
For the record, I have installed 2 howel kits onto the 258 engine and the only difference between them and my Caddilac, is that I have timing and the Howel kits did not. Everything else looks basicly the same...Stuka wrote:Carbs are simple and can be made to work well at one altitude. But soon as the altitude changes, or the humidity changes, or temperature changes (etc) they go out of tune (no way to argue this, they cannot adjust themselves). I live in an area where I can go up 7000ft in altitude in 40 minutes of driving. And there is no way to make my truck run well at both ends with its carb. Just have not had the chance to look into putting EFI on it, because it needs it. I am sure its similar to doing it on a V8, just have not seen a writeup for 258s (They may exist, have just not seen it).
New to the board(s) (IFSJA, CFSJA, et al), but saw some other Coloradans and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm in Denver, have had my 1988 Grand Wagoneer for precisely 6 days:Lumpskie wrote:^That would be awesome. I'm in the Roxborough area, west of Highlands Ranch. I'll PM you my number and we can set something up!shimniok wrote:PS: I see you're local. You're welcome to come by and drive mine and see what ya think.
Bill usn-1 wrote:LOL
You guys will go to no lengths to defend a carb.
It amazes me sometimes the things I see posted on the web.
I just feel bad for the guys that don't know any better and are actually looking for helpful information.
But it gives me plenty more talking points to add to my seminars!