EFI conversion... Surge tank?

[hainzy]

Hey gang.

Just weighing up my options in case I decide to drop this 304 in, which is whispering to me whenever I walk in the shed......

Ive been reading lotsa threads on the conversion and most people seem to think you need a surge tank, but some dont. So can anyone advise me on the best way to go?

Currently I have a 304 sitting there which i would attach to the supra 5 speed which is already there. The cars on gas so I have no fuel tank yet. I do have a perfect VS tank with working innards that I was hoping I might use but I dont think it will be possible. I also then fantasied about getting a decent welder to put the guts of that tank, into a HZ tank but that too, would be a bit too much of a pain in the arse.. (Anyone done that by the way?)

So Ive decided I would just get a bosch 044 and run that with the fuel/return lines etc. But Im wondering if I should have a surge tank in there too. If its a must can anyone suggest a good basic setup? Theres so many out there and Im not after 10 million HP or 9 seconds at the drags. Just a good reliable cruiser...

Cheers for any advice.

[James]

IMG_0867.JPG
I got one custom made by someone on ebay to the dimensions i wanted, cost me $100 delivered. This is the setup in my wagon, lift pump to surge tank and then to high pressure pump for efi.
Without the surge tank and if your fuel is a bit low I believe the fuel pump can run out of fuel around corners etc and shorten pump life

[Dr Terry]

You definitely need a surge tank if you want the car to drive properly. I've seen some get away without one, but they still get dramas when the fuel level falls below half. The main pump needs to be fed with 100% liquid at all times, not a liquid/air mix, which is what you get when cornering with a low tank.

Having said that, the best way to do an EFI pump for a conversion, is to not bother with an external pump & surge tank & to fit a late model pump/reservoir assembly (MRA) to your tank.

An internal pump will be cheaper, quieter & far simpler to set up.

A few guys produce a coupling ring which is welded into the top of your tank & the MRA just drops in.

A 044 Bosch is overkill for most street cars & 2 pumps & an external surge tank is more complication than you need.

Dr Terry

[hainzy]

Thanks guys.
Surge tank it is then!!

Dr Terry that MRA setup sounds interesting. I wish there was an easy way I could do that using the pump and sender from my VS tank, cos everything is there in it ready to go!

So you would need to cut a hole in the top of the HZ tank and drop that setup in?

These guys seem to be the people to talk to. Is this the kind of setup you mean? Its pretty cool actually. Would be neater and prob even end up cheaper to do it.

https://www.efihardware.com/products...-Return-System

It also seems you can get the same thing much cheaper on ebay but without the metal ring sections for the tank. I cant see why those extra bits make it over $300 more. Is there any other difference?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-Co...wAAOSwgQ9V56eJ

[hainzy]

While Im here asking stupid questions... Does it matter which clutch plate cover I use?

Ie. I have the flywheel, clutch plate and cover which came with the supra box, and I also have the same bits from the T5.

Ive left the T5 flywheel on the 304 and attached the supra clutch and cover. Does any of this matter? Apart from the fact that I realise the actual clutch plate matches up with the input shaft so they need to go together.

Just that the cover that was with the T5 looks to be in better nick.

See below. The supra (above pic) is on now, and the one that was with the T5 is below...

[Dr Terry]

The pressure plate (or cover as you call it) needs to be in good condition on the inside, not the outside.

Take them both to a clutch specialist & get him to visually check them. The contact surface should be in good shape as should the diaphragm spring. The look of the outside doesn't matter a rats.

With the fuel pump, you get what you pay for. The one in the first link is a genuine Delphi VT unit which I can supply to you for around $150 including GST, which makes his adaptor ring thingy look a bit on the expensive side. The one in the 2nd link is a cheap aftermarket copy, which I would personally avoid.

Do a bit more 'Googling' to find the adaptor ring on its own.

Dr Terry

[hainzy]

Thanks Dr Terry!! Youre a legend. That makes good sense. I didnt even look at the brand but I certainly wouldnt go for a cheap crap version of something so important.

I will look into all that.

I think that setup is a cool idea though so I reckon Im definitely interested in grabbing a unit off you.

Im sure I could get a mate to make up some sort of adaptor plate to set it all up.

[agr071]

When I was looking at putting EFI in, I was going to tap the return line into the breather pipe at the top of the tank.

[stickthis]

Just thought id throw it out there.... I don't have surge tank.... And don't have any issues. But also saying that, I never let it go below 1/4 of a tank.

My conversion was done way back in the 90's. when there were no parts available, looms, etc etc. I was one of the guys that trialled the first of the pacemaker extractors for the efi heads into HZ shape.

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I also am running a supra 5 speed with the 304. Its a not a bad combo