HELP registering my new '75 (2 Viewers)

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What will a converter do to performance? How much should something like that cost?

I don't think you would notice much of a performance drop at all with that much engine. I would like to think a shop could install a converter for under $200 out the door but I have no idea.
 
Take it out to Hitech 4x4 in Chantilly, they will get it squared away. Sounds like it might be running in "limp home mode". Needs to get hooked up to a 4 gas machine and a scanner and checked out.

WICKED COOL TRUCK!

Welcome to the Cult of the Cruiser.

-Stumbaugh
 
I am sitting in the line @ emissions now...stay tuned.
 
bad to worse...failed again.
HC went from 822 to 1370 ppm.
CO from 8.67 to 9.22%.
CO2 dropped from 8.71 to 8.02%.

they did use the other tailpipe this time. I did not try the alcohol trick. so now I am fairly sure I will be registering ths thing in MD.

One thing I am curious about is what should my mpg usually range from? I did a rough calculation, and unless I am way off I averaged about 7 MPG! is that "normal?"
 
7 MPG means it's not running right.

My V8 truck got about 12 around town and 15 on the highway and it was carbureted. With fool infection (joke) you should get a little better.

Like I said on my previous post, it needs to get hooked up to a 4 gas machine and a code scanner. This is not a job for a shade tree.
 
Thanks Colangut. I did not see your post from last night until just now...I will give the Hi-Tech guys a call. Is there someone there with a particular affinity for these old trucks?
 
bad to worse...failed again.
HC went from 822 to 1370 ppm.
CO from 8.67 to 9.22%.
CO2 dropped from 8.71 to 8.02%.

they did use the other tailpipe this time. I did not try the alcohol trick. so now I am fairly sure I will be registering ths thing in MD.

One thing I am curious about is what should my mpg usually range from? I did a rough calculation, and unless I am way off I averaged about 7 MPG! is that "normal?"

From what I found you should get anywhere from 15 to 24 mpg depending on driving conditions. Based on your fuel consumption and increase in HC your engine is not running properly at all. I am sure it has to be throwing codes, did the shop you had it at really not find anything amiss when they pulled the codes? Whatever they did it is running worse than it was before based on your new numbers. If you don't already have it this looks like a wealth of information about your engine. http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/_res/pdf/intalation-guides/350_RamJet_Engine.pdf
 
John,

I HIGHLY doubt that he'd ever see more than 18 MPG, realistically more like 16.

However, your right about the gas mileage being an indication (along with the failed smog) that the motor fool infection is not working correctly.

It's probably stuck in it's limp home mode. It's probably a bad legend sensor, incorrect wiring during the install or perhaps a bad computer.

I also found this:

Technical Notes:
The installation instructions is missing the information on how to connect the o2 sensor and IAT. The wires are not labeled and described in the instructions either. (Red Fused/ Battery, Purple/Ignition, Gray/Tach, White/Digital Tach)
Problem - Ram Jets going into “limp home” or shutting down completely, but turning the ignition off and then restarting it solves the problem temporarily. This problem occurs when the temp sender is located in the upper radiator tank and when coolant level drops, the sender is not in the coolant. This causes a false “HOT” signal and shuts the ECM down. Do not use this arrangement and place your sensor some place other than the radiator for best results.


Fuel injected motors rely on the temperature sender(s) to decide on how much fuel to mix with the air flow. If the sensor give the computer the wrong value, the motor gets too much gas and runs too rich. Clearly what is happening with your motor, but perhaps for another reason.

Anybody at High Tech can help you, they are good guys. Any competent garage with real SAE mechanics can address a problem like this. You could probably find someone closer to DC. However, a lot of mechanics prefer not to mess with stuff like this because they can make more money throwing mufflers, brake pads and timing belts onto cars.
 
Thanks for that link John....I do have the original service manual that came with the ramjet.

Colangut: I spoke with Jay out at High Tech and may be working with them next week. Thanks.
 
I brought the truck to my cousin--a mechanic north of Frederick who's been modifying cars since he was 14. He worked on the exhaust, slapped catalytic converters on each of the exhausts, and the thing runs great. MPG is up to 15-16 and it smells much better. Something about "back pressure" that the cats provide helps that engine.

Although it passed the HC test, it still doesn't pass the CO2. I will apply for a waiver from DC as soon as I get the receipt of the work from my cousin. Thanks for asking about it.
 
Cool. Glad to see that you got it fixed.

Maybe a sender will the C02 problem.

Have fun with it.
 
to apply for a waiver, you need to have spent a little under a grand. make sure you look into that.... Also, find out if you get a waiver, do you have to start all over again in 2 years?
 
well, i did finally get the rig registered in DC. Applied for the emmisions waiver and after weeks of BS from the DMV they finally gave it to me--they were complaining about the receipt my cousins shop provided me and that i had waited so long. So i took that to the dmv office to get tags + title and they gave me more crap about registering it as historic. I almost lost it so i just registered in normally and have two years on regular DC tags. After which i will either move back to Maryland or sell it to myself and register it there. DC is wacked!

So, sorry for the drawn out string of emails. I truly appreciate the advice from all of you all and am loving the truck. I finally busted it out in the snows and it was an absolute beast! Since my work doesn't close i had to get in despite the two feet of snow and ended up picking up half my staff too. My favorite part was blasting thru a 4 foot mountain of snow a plow had covered over a road i needed to get through. since the previous owner had never put it in 4-wheel, i was glad to know it actually worked.
 
I'm looking for a Land Cruiser friendly mechanic for a Maryland Inspection who also understands replacement parts would probably come from Australia. I will probably be driving it more than the requirements under the Historic tags.

Please let me know.

Cheers,
 
give Matt a call 443-790-0205 - Annapolis area. He will hook you up for a Maryland inspection and is very familar with FJ 40s.

Thanks, I think I know of him. Didn't he just sell a cherry 40?
 

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