My first ever engine swap.....!!!!!

[MANUCHAO]

Randy.

Thank you !!
We did check the pick up tubes and they were clean as a whistle !!
Everything looked VERY clean in there...
I'll but the parts today and get at it !!

I'll post results...

 

[Dynosoar]

Frank and I dropped the tank yesterday and pulled out the pick up and return line. His tank is clean as a whistle. and the lines were clear. came to the decision that the pump is just plain working to hard trying to constantly force fuel into the fuel rail. When the pump first kicks on it is quiet, but the noise builds the longer it runs because it is trying to force fuel past the whimpy internal regulator. I told Frank to buy the fittings for the external regulator/ return line and we will hook those up on Wednesday. The only question is where do we pull the vacuum from for the regulator? Is it okay to pull it from the booster line(I think that is the only open vacuum source on the engine)?


Dynosoar


P.S. What fuel pressure do the vortecs like?

 

[MANUCHAO]

I was looking at Gwest swap and noticed that the vacuum was never plugged. Randy did you ever hooked up the vacuum or left it open?

Let us know.

 

[iaintscared1969]

Does not matter that is a vent line for the regulator. It soes nothing for the operation of the regulator. I would tie it in to the vacuum system though. That way the ref. won't think anything. The boost line is where I tie mine into.

I have been running 60 psi for pressure. Sounds like you guys will have this one licked and ready for a good run!

 

[Elbert]

I think the 99 5.7 Vortec needs to see something around 60-65 PSI. I don't know on the new style 5.3 and 6.0 engines.

Is this a known issue with the GM fuel rails or just something particular with the 5.3 engines? On the 99 year model engines they have a supply and return. I'm not running an external regulator and my fuel pressue is something like 62 PSI at the fuel rail. Not to confuse the issue here...different engine and setup.

 

[ntsqd]

Also a different engine and different set-up, but...... I did all of the fuel plumbing on a '99 Firechicken T/A LS1/4L60E/D300 meets Jeep YJ project. Roughly the same system, more or less returnless.

I say more or less because there is a return, but it is not at the regulator. It is a simple 'T' in the supply line about 2' from the tank. I tested it, no restrictor of any sort in the 'T' or the line. Nor do I recall one in the return fitting on the fuel pump/gauge sender assembly. There was a step-down in tube size though. Supply was ~3/8" and the return was 5/16"-8mm.
If the system did not have such a by-pass then the pump would have been working excessively hard in spite of the ECU's attempt to control FP with a PWM driver for the pump. This was very likely was the reason behind all of the noise.

The port on the aftermarket FP regulators is a boost reference, as in turbo or supercharger. Hooking it to manifold vacuum will actually slightly lower your FP during periods of high manifold vacuum. Whether that is good or bad depends on what you're trying to do. If you don't hook it to vacuum then at least treat it like a axle or trans-t/c breather and make sure it gets clean air.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Ok guys.. Its running !!!
With no pump noise.
I dont know if the REF will pass me with that FUGLY fuel regulator..
Amazing what a difference that thing made !!!
Im still getting a couple of codes.. one relater to the fuel injection P0200 1&2 and or 1&4... and the other having to do with the electric fan, but that is because I decided to go with a Delta System, which by the way it one sweeet system...

I took my paper work the the DMV and told them I had a financial hardship (which I really do after all the $$$ I dropped into the thing ) and needed to do some mechanical work including smog repairs... they gave me a permit for 3 months which it will give me enough time to work all the little things and then take it to the reff...

I drove it on the freeway for about 10 miles and "oh boy" !!!
Oh what a feeling (that's right).

My first $100 dollars for a full tank of gas !! NOT !!!!!

Here are some last pics showing the evap canister, solenoid and that fugly FPR...

Laters

 

[MANUCHAO]

fuel pump with isolators installed..probably over-kill but if can, why not !!!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Randy, Im thinking of putting a brass plug on that breather.... would that be an option or not ??
Im also getting this cool little gadget and either install it on the tuffy console or right on the Peanut butter and jelly sandwich compartment under the radio..

ScanGaugeII - Trip Computers + Digital Gauges + Scan Tool

 

[philos1]

HAHAHA!!!! "129 MPH" because, now you can

 

[iaintscared1969]

I have plugged them before with no problems. Also another cool one to check is the MSD dashhawk.

Glad to hear the noise is gone!

 

[MANUCHAO]

ok guys.. I been running this mami for the last week. Not for long trips but more or less short runs... I went up to Mt. Baldy at 6500 ft of elevation. It pulled great and dont think it overheated.... I say dont think, cause early that morning my Delta current control went up in smoke...so now Im running the relay that FIS built into the harness..... On the way down the brakes (new pads and calipers)got super hot and felt the need to pull over to let them cool off .. Im sure I would of been okay but I sided on safety.....

Im still throwing the same P0200 code.. and since its a generic code for the fuel injection Im going to see about doing a injection flush ??

The shifter from Lokar is really nice but Im still not able to get the 1st (low gear)....and tried to wire it so it starts when in Park or neutral only... right now it starts in any gear....(not good.)


What you guys think ???

 

[CruisinFJ60]

have you tried checking the code while the truck is running?
i know on my 96 camaro with the LT1 if i turn the key on i get a random missfire code but if i fire it up i get a cylinder #2 missfire (head gasket blown) and the random missfire code goes away. I have my own scanner with data logging and also live data so that helps some for other things but just a thought. I never heard of it doin that untill i experienced it on my own car.

 

[Elbert]

I would defintly run an aftermarket temp gauge (I like autometer) or get one of these digiatl gauges referenced in the above posts that plugs in the scan tool port (I think they use to be call ALDL connectors). My SPAL fan controller decided to stop working so I"m running two relay harnesses controlled by a SPAL temp sensor wihich turns the fans on at 195 and off a 175. I know on some of the newer ECM / PCM you can control the engine temp fans from the computer.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

I know on some of the newer ECM / PCM you can control the engine temp fans from the computer.

yea all the LTx series and LSx series motors are that way. providing they dont have a mechanical fan clutch.

 

[MANUCHAO]

crusingfj60.. yeah I have ran the scanner while running the engine and the code comes back up within the minute......

Elbert.. I got a relay and it works fine.. but if you were to try the delta system you would love it...
When it worked it turns the fan on a bit at a time...as temperature rises so does the fan speed and vise versa its like an electric regulator for the fan.. pretty cool... except mine stop working..

 

[iaintscared1969]

OK back to the generic code! So you got good grounds, plugs are tight, and the fuel pressure is @ 60 ish. What else have ya done?

 

[MANUCHAO]

Being that Im a genius at working on these type of engines nothing....other than running a full tank of premium gas through it....that was sweet by painful at the same time.....

I been going around making sure everything is tight....just yesterday while checking my steering linkage... I found the nut on top of the gear box being loose..

I played around with the fuel pressure as I think still a bit loud.. but maybe Im being anal about it.....
Im waiting on my scangauge II (i'll be here tomorrow) and I'll check AT temps and h02 temps.....

I also have been reading on returnless fuel systems and found this interesting article Diagnosing Returnless Fuel Injection Systems

that explains it quite well..... makes me wonder if the REF will have an issue with the FPR when I decide to go and do the inspection...

Give me your opinion guys.... Im all ears right now........

 

[Joe_E]

Whoa... so that's what that part of a 60 looks like minus the rot!

Nice conversion job.

 

[MANUCHAO]

So, I got my Scangauge II and Im pretty stoked about how it shows all the info at the touch of a button.. this thing is freaking saweeet !!

Check the pics...
Showing RPM, water temp, tranny oil temp and MPH...



This is were it is going to go most likely.....I just need to re-route that one wire !!
It fits nice and snug on the peanut and jelly sandwich holder....