MSefi.com read only forum (Jan.15,2018)

I need to convert my truck to EFI because I can not tune a carburetor.

Is my shopping list complete; If not what is missing? Where can I get an Assembled "ready to use" Main Board 2.2 and MegaSquirt 1.0 combo?

Throttle body injection unit (Junk yard or Ebay)

Idle air control valve (On TBI unit)

Throttle position sensor (On TBI unit)

TBI to 4bbl intake adapter (JEGS or Ebay)

Wire harness (rs-autosport.net)

MAP sensor (Parts store)
One wire Oxygen sensor (Parts store)
40amp relays (Parts store)
Fuses (Parts store)
Fuse holders (Parts store)

What engine you running? And what is the current problem you are wanting to tune or what do you hope to gain with EFI?

There is going to be some fab work needed to get your throttle linkage to work. You may need a different air cleaner (maybe grab that at the junkyard with the TB assy?) You will also need an electric fuel pump(or pumps with dual tanks). You may also need to run a return fuel line back to the tank(s) if your truck doesnt already have them which may involve switching to a newer style valve assy if they are dual tanks. Then there is fuel lines, fittings, and filters.

If you are not much of a tuner I would suggest getting a wide band O2 setup but based on your selection of the lowest cost MS I would guess you dont have or want to spend much money which brings me back to my earlier question of what to you hope to gain with EFI?

I am tired of taking my truck to the shop to have the carburetor tuned, every time the weather changes. Not having to pay $50 or $75 a visit for tuning EFI would quickly pay for itself.

What year and model truck? Which engine? What is the symptom that makes you take it in to get re-tuned? Im not trying to sway you from going to efi I just want to make sure its going to solve your problem and get you the best advise on what you need.

The MS has a built-in MAP sensor, so you don't need that on your list. You just need some vacuum hose and a vacuum port on the intake.

I'd have to agree that a wideband is a worthwhile investment. With that, you can configure the MS to almost completely auto-tune itself for most conditions.

I'd also suggest the Relay Board and interconnect cable. Yeah, you can hack something together with relays and fuses from the parts store. By the time you're done, you'll have spent at least half the cost of the assembled Relay board... but TONS more time. Using the relay board and cable gives you a more robust installation. You'll have enough things to worry about without having to second guess your wiring.

Aside from that, I think you need to add Coolant Temperature and Intake Air Temperature sensors to your list. You'll need a high-pressure fuel pump, pressure regulator and provisions for a fuel return line.

If you're not planning to convert your ignition to MS control (I would... though you might want to press on with doing the FI first... divide and conquer), that should be about it.

And, of course, someone's eventually going to point you to the manual:
Fuel Hardware
Sensors

73Eldo wrote:What year and model truck? Which engine?

The truck is a 1980 f150 with a 351w with small mods.

Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor and Performer intake; Mustang short headers; MSD blaster 3 coil, distributor cap, rotor, wires, and 6al ignition; electric fan; 2.5" exhaust.

73Eldo wrote:What is the symptom that makes you take it in to get re-tuned? Im not trying to sway you from going to efi I just want to make sure its going to solve your problem and get you the best advise on what you need.

Every time the weather changes I gain or loose power. I want a consistent tune. The truck is also makes very poor power when cold.

If there is a bolt-on Ford manifold thath would give you multiport injection, I'd seriously consider that over TBI.

As a bonus, you could probably sell your complete manifold and carb setup to finance half of your MS conversion.

loren wrote:If there is a bolt-on Ford manifold thath would give you multiport injection, I'd seriously consider that over TBI.

As a bonus, you could probably sell your complete manifold and carb setup to finance half of your MS conversion.

New 351 EFI intakes are very costly, and used oned do not show up on ebay often.

Looks like you have a pretty good start on a fun setup (and a few bucks invested). You have the original duraspark dizzy with the msd cap? With what you already got going I would get at least the 3.0 board. That way you can easily upgrade to the MS2 when you what to take advantage of all the current and upcoming features, I think the MS1 cpu is only like $20 so its not like you will be throwing away a lot of money if/ when you upgrade. I just went MS2 V3 right off the bat so I didnt do much reading about earlier boards (so do your own reading to confirm) but I think the fly back stuff you need with low imp (TBI) injectors is not included on the 2.2 but is on the 3+. Seems like the earlier stuff can not easily control the IAC which will be part of the stock GM TBI so you may have to rig up some sort of a fast idle solenoid. To do spark control (which you will want to do after you find out how much you can do with just fuel) you will have to upgrade most of your ignition system but if you go with MS2 V3+ you can do direct coil control with what you already have just by locking out the mechanicals in the dizzy. If you start to factor in those costs it will help to offset the extra cost of the better MS stuff.

Also dont forget if you have dual tanks its going to take a few more parts and $$.