Just finished adding fuel injection to my charger

[FROSTBITE]

I thought i would do a quick write up on what it took to add a MSD atomic system to my 1966 383 Charger.

When I heard about the new msd atomic system is when i decided i wanted to give TBI a try on my car. I did do some research on other systems, but ended up deciding on MSD because i wanted to do a returnless setup.

After i recieved it, i wanted to make sure that i took my time and get all the right extra parts i needed. I went on the MSD forum for atomic and found out the system just doesnt work well setup as returnless unless you are going to mount the pump in the tank. So then i opted to just do a return setup. I ended up spending an extra 500-600.00 on parts needed to do the return system right.

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First I Drilled out a hole for the o2 sensor bung on the driver side exhuast. Then welded the bung in using a little 220v wire feed welder. Then Screwed in the sensor and ran the wires up to the engine compartment.

Then I removed the fuel pump and installed a block off Plate.

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I Just wanted to make my life as simple as i could on the return system, i ordered a new fuel pick up/sending unit. I drilled a hole in it, then used 6 AN bulkhead fitting and installed it onto the sending unit. Then i used a short peice of steel fuel line i flared then installed a female AN fitting on it so i could conect it to the bulkhead, then bent the return tube away from the fuel pickup.

Installed fuel sending unit into tank

Installed an Aeromotive EFI regulator on the passanger side inside fender.

Removed the carb

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Mounted the Fuel pump and filter after the pump to the frame on passsnger side before wheel well.

Routed Fuel hose from filter to the throttle body

ran return line from tank to the regulator

Mounted the MSD power module box to fire wall behind engine.

Installed throttle body

installed another fuel line from other side of the throttle body back to the regulator

Installed the temp sender

Made the all the wire connection

Drilled a hole in center console base and routed the hand held programmer to inside of the console, so i can just open it and pull out the programmer and read info while inside of the car

Adjusted the throttle body blades

Programmed the ECU

Started the engine up and checked for leaks

Installed a 440 ram air cleaner for a 4 barrel on top of the throttle body

 

[FROSTBITE]

Sorry some of the pictures got out of order

 

[tpodwdog]

THAT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT SET UP.... but i have to seriously ask if it was worth the expense ? have you run it yet and how does it compare to a 4 BBL ?

 

[67 B-body]

How does the performance compare? How is the throttle response to WOT? Inquiring minds NEED to know!

 

[coloradodave]

Frostbite: Thanks for posting this. Great information and a nice, clean job. We all will be waiting for your assessment of performance, mileage, cold starts and driveability. Like your shop too.

 

[anmracing]

Good write up. I know you'll be happy with the conversion. We have been so happy that we did this to our car. We used the Edelbrock system and I can tell you that the throttle response is fantastic. I especially like the fact that I can jump in and start her right up.....

 

[FROSTBITE]

Ill give a better write up on after i get the car back from alignment, I hate to be too optimistic with only 7 miles on it. Im not sure if its worth the money yet either.

I will say this, really really weird being able to fire the engine up cold in 15 degree weather without even touching the throttle.

 

[anmracing]

I will say this, really really weird being able to fire the engine up cold in 15 degree weather without even touching the throttle.

The quick stars are an amazing improvement. IMHO, I think it is well worth the investment.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

yeah, let us know how quick and easy it is to get the EFI dialed in so it runs right. I have been meaning to buy a FAST EFI setup for my big block build, but I read so many reviews about that and other EFI systems not being that easy to dial in and have reliable performance so now I'm leaning towards a carb setup.

Please give us your 1-week post install feedback and then again a month or two later. Thanks! I know that cost a lot of dough!

 

[FROSTBITE]

yeah, let us know how quick and easy it is to get the EFI dialed in so it runs right. I have been meaning to buy a FAST EFI setup for my big block build, but I read so many reviews about that and other EFI systems not being that easy to dial in and have reliable performance so now I'm leaning towards a carb setup.

Please give us your 1-week post install feedback and then again a month or two later. Thanks! I know that cost a lot of dough!

I will do that, so far the AFR seems to be right on the targets (but they are presetted from the factory, i dont know AFR numbers well enough to set my own). Also some of the available tuning i will say is over my head. Im fortunate to have a dyno shop in town the specializes in EFI performance, im considering to take the charger there after the front suspension is done being rebuilt.. It seems to run good now, but its hard not wanting to squeeze every hp i can out of it.

 

[pturner]

yes, keep us up to date. trying to decide which to use on my 383 roadrunner. looking at Atomic and Fast. Fast seems to have more tech support people that the Atomic. i know that neither is really a fully tuneable system, but i dont know if that is completely necessary for a street car. while talking to the Fast people, i found they are now owned by Comp Cam group in Memphis. i am waiting on them to tell me how to connect to the MSD distributor and change the timing from the handheld. this is one thing the Atomic (MSD) does, so this makes it more appealing to me.
again keep us up to date please
Pat in tennessee

 

[YY1]

How is "seat of the pants" feel versus the carb?

I'd also be interested to know if there is any noticeable MPG gain.

From my limited knowledge, one of the major tuning points is to watch the A/F ratio under hard acceleration, to make sure it doesn't lean out. Hopefully it's a simple adjustment process to tweak that if necessary.

Good write-up, BTW.

 

[watermelon]

Good to see you got it installed.

I am in the middle of an Atomic EFI install now. I have most of it completed. I just need to modify the fuel tank since I am going with an in-tank fuel pump from tanksinc.

I can't wait till I crank it up.



watermelon

 

[tallhair]

Ill give a better write up on after i get the car back from alignment, I hate to be too optimistic with only 7 miles on it. Im not sure if its worth the money yet either.

I will say this, really really weird being able to fire the engine up cold in 15 degree weather without even touching the throttle.

concur with others who have complimented the write up...great job. I'm interested to hear how this setup SOUNDS !!. Any chance you could post a video with sound of it with a walk around and perhaps a drive?

 

[440ronnie67]

To all, thanks for the info on the efi. I also have been fighting "is it going to be worth it or not" Been looking at the hp sizes seem to range from 525-1000hp depending on the system. Prices seem to range from 1800.-almost 6000. look at FAST kit for 1000hp .

thanks again, ready see some videos on you tube of efi installs!