Converting '80 TR8 to FI within CA SMOG rules
Hi guys - thanks in advance for the help and coaching. I have a TR8 w/ dual ZS carbs, Canadian import that has a referee OK for CA SMOG. Having trouble w/ carbs and thinking that since I have a spare Rover SD1 EFI set up I should use it. For CA purposes that is OK as it is an engine replacement in their eyes, not a swap. So long as the EFI set up passes visual - that is looks like the factory EFI TR8 set up - and passes sniffer I am OK. The engine is healthly, has good cats etc so I should be OK there.
So one question is this - I understand the early that the TR8 and SD1 EFI systems were set up for emissions not power but I want to balance both. Can I use a later EFI, say off a Range Rover, that will be better at both emissions and power? It will need too look like the TR8/Rover set up but it is in the spirit of actually being as clean/cleaner than the factory OEM set up. Any coaching that anyone can pass along? Thanks! |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4576 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: Converting '80 TR8 to FI within CA SMOG rules
Hi Tom. Have you been welcomed to BritishV8 yet? Glad to have you here!
I believe Evan Amaya combined the "Federal" intake manifold and plenum with integral throttle body from a late TR8 or SD1 with a later Range Rover "14CUX" control system. In other words, he upgraded from a Bosch flapper-valve to a Lucas/Hitachi hot-wire mass airflow sensor and also upgraded to the matching computer and wiring. We've got a brief "How It Was Done" article about Evan's car here. You might find additional information about Evan's installation via the Google search box at the top of this page (for stuff that's buried here on the BritishV8 site) and also via a regular Google search (for stuff Evan posted a long time ago on his own website.) If you decide to take a similar approach OR to install a complete Rover 14CUX system (from a 3.9L engine), we've collected a ton of information on the 14CUX system. Just type "14CUX" into Google box above and brace yourself for the flood of knowledge. I suspect that the later (Range Rover) intake manifold would yield a small performance advantage. The big advantage of the earlier (Federal) intake manifold is that it sits lower. If you don't use it, consider offering it for sale in our Classified section. Its low profile will be a big help to someone. If you hit any snags, post questions here or (probably better) in our "Drivetrain Issues" sub-forum. |
V8WEDG Robert Carter Fremont, CA (24 posts) Registered: 11/20/2009 06:03PM Main British Car: Poseidon Green '80 TR8 5spd conv, '05 Lotus Elise 6spd SC'd, '91 Volvo 240 wagon |
Re: Converting '80 TR8 to FI within CA SMOG rules
So I know this is an old thread, but I just moved to CA, and my 49 state TR8 is being shipped here this week, so I have to ask:
Why is this conversion even necessary? I thought when I looked at the CA DMV site cars over 25 years old do not need to be SMOGed? Is this because it is an out of country import? I just looked on the CA DMV site again, so SMOG cutoff is 1975 not 25 years, but the historic plates are 25 years, do 1976+ cars with historic plates still need to be SMOGed? Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2014 07:54PM by V8WEDG. |