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El Gracho (Joe D.) - 1984 Chevrolet K10 Pickup - 350 V8 -

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:51 pm
by El Gracho
Name: El Gracho - Joe D.
Vehicle: 1984 Chevrolet K10 short fleetside 4x4 pickup
Engine: 350 small block V-8, vortec heads, somewhere around 300 hp
Drivetrain: TH700R4 overdrive automatic transmission, 3.73 gears, Detroit Truetrac rear differential
Injection: GM Performance Parts Ramjet 350 Intake, 22 lb/hr injectors
Ignition: 1969 GM points distibutor converted to electronic with a Crane XR-i module. - works great so far with standard MS 2.2 tach circuit
Supporting Components: Fuel sender from an 87 pickup to allow for an in-tank fuel pump, fuel pump from a 1989 Camaro to give ~45 psi, braided hose for fuel plumbing, RS-Autosport harness (excellent - recommended) with AC-Delco connectors, relay board, MS 2.2 board with LMB case and FP Express endplates (also highly recommended for a professional looking job).
Description: This truck has nearly 500k miles, 50k on this engine.
Website: http://www.GMCSpecialEditions.com

My truck fired after cranking for about 10 seconds on my initial attempt. I'm still working on the tune, but I consider this the fun part. I modified my code to use the fast idle relay for electric fan control and it works flawlessly.

I can't wait for MS-2 and IAC and ignition control!

Thanks to Bruce, Al, Lance, Eric F., Mike D., Colin G., Rodney S., Patrick C. for all of their time and effort and sharing it! Also, thanks to all the contributors to the mailing list/forums for all the great knowledge.

If anyone is reading this that hasn't already started their project, the best recommendation I can make is to read everything you can associated with MS and EFI. Everything you need to know is here somewhere, if you TRY and can't find it, we'll all help. The MS community rules!

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:37 pm
by El Gracho
More success!!!

I've been fighting ignition problems with my truck ever since I got it running with MS. Like I posted above, it was a points distributor converted to electronic with a Crane XR-i kit (like a Pertronix ignitor). It worked well idling, but as soon as I hooked vacuum to the vacuum advance it would start bucking and missing like crazy.

I test drove the truck with the vacuum advance disconnected and it showed the same symptoms when the mechanical advance would start to kick it. I think the bushings were worn causing the crane sensor to move away from the shaft of the distributor when the advance plate moved. This would cause it to drop signals here and there losing spark and fuel. I decided not to mess with this unknown and go with a known good distributor.

My intake requires a small cap distributor. I waited for a while hoping MS-2 would come out and I could use my 8 pin small cap HEI with no built in advance mechanisms, but I couldn't wait any more. I got an MSD pro-billet ready to run for my 350 Chev and hooked it up.

I started the truck and set the timing and it was already running better than it had. I took it for a test drive and saw crazy rpm fluctuations on my laptop whenever I went above 2k rpm. I read up on it and added a 30k ohm resistor inline with my tach wire to MS, problem solved. I am getting my tach signal right off the negative post of the coil, so here's another data point for that fix working.

Anyhow, the truck is running as good as it ever did on the carb and I haven't really tuned my fuel map other than idling yet. It will only get better from here...

Bring on the MS-2!

Re: El Gracho (Joe D.) - 1984 Chevrolet K10 Pickup - 350 V8 -

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 11:00 am
by Cbolton78
I really like your project, I was wondering if you had any updates?

Colter

Re: El Gracho (Joe D.) - 1984 Chevrolet K10 Pickup - 350 V8 -

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:51 pm
by marvyn741
I was wondering how your ramjet intake is working for you. I have one of the early ramjet crate motors, the one without an O2 sensor. It runs OK but it's pretty rich and the only way to tune it is by adjusting fuel pressure with the holley adjustable regulator that I added. I have most of the parts for a Megasquirt conversion and am about to start on the wiring harness and relays.

Marv - Tampa

Re: El Gracho (Joe D.) - 1984 Chevrolet K10 Pickup - 350 V8 -

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:39 pm
by El Gracho
It took me forever to see these responses and post my own.

As for updates, I don't really have any. This truck has been sitting a lot for the last couple years. I drive a 86 6.2 all the time since it gets better mileage. Its a 2wd and rides much better too. Each time I start the truck, it starts right up and runs well. I wouldn't hesitate to take this thing on any trip at the drop of a hat.

I haven't had any issues with the Ramjet intake. It's a well designed piece with production parts bolted to it. The ramjet crate engines are dumbed down for easy installation in almost any application. Just like any engine, they will benefit from tuning specific to their actual application.

I'm working on my next project, another 86 2wd with a 5.3 LS series motor...I'm really hoping the GPIO and Sequencer will be available for transmission and ignition control when I get that far along.