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TPI Transplant = Complete

Well..here is a quick update. I have Spark to the plugs, which is good, but still no start which is bad. My thinking is that there are a few possibilities.

1) If the injectors are firing, then I am not getting enough fuel pressure.
2) If the injectors are not firing
- the starter wires are screwed up somehow and not telling the ECM to shoot off the injectors
- the injectors are grounded somewhere and no workie...


Any suggestions on where to acquire those little test noids? I looked all over town, but no luck? Also, do you guys mount a fuel pressure guage on the fuel rail? Anywhere else? Any particular brand or model work better, last longer?
 
You need to determine if the car that the ECM came from had VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System). If so, the ECM won't fire the injectors until the VATS module tells the ECM that it's OK. :(

Also make 100% certain that the ECM has power while the engine is cranking over. Having the ECM power connected to a power source that switches off during cranking is probably the number one reason that most EFI swaps won't start. The ECM can't fire the injectors if it isn't on. ;)
 
Ditto on the correct ignition source! I made that mistake on my TBI setup, only took me 30 minutes to figure it out though :)

Just use a bulb from a front marker light at the wreckers as a noid light.

I got everything I needed for my fuel pressure gauge from a local shop called Gregg Distributor that carries Aeroquip fittings (sharader to 1/8" NPT, and an 1/8" NPT 90 degree bend), then bought a gauge for a water tank. I was a bit worried about it's durability in a fuel application, but it hasn't failed after almost a year, so I am thinking its probally good.
 
noahrob said:
Well..here is a quick update. I have Spark to the plugs, which is good, but still no start which is bad. My thinking is that there are a few possibilities.

1) If the injectors are firing, then I am not getting enough fuel pressure.
2) If the injectors are not firing
- the starter wires are screwed up somehow and not telling the ECM to shoot off the injectors
- the injectors are grounded somewhere and no workie...


Any suggestions on where to acquire those little test noids? I looked all over town, but no luck? Also, do you guys mount a fuel pressure guage on the fuel rail? Anywhere else? Any particular brand or model work better, last longer?
Click to expand...

Just make the test light from a 168 or 194 dash/marker bulb. Wrap or solder two wires around the wire leads off the bulbs, and if you want to make it a bit more durable, get a dab of solder to flow into the bare wire ends to keep it rigid. Easier to plug into the injector connectors in that way.

Since the ECM switches those leads to ground (all injector leads have 12V BTW) if the ECM isn't getting power when it needs it, the injectors STILL won't pulse. The "crank no run" manual pages are in my "troubleshooting" thread.

I don't use a fuel pressure gauge. If the pump starts working incorrectly, I'll know somethings up, and worry about a gauge then. If I had injector pulse and I knew everything was wired up right and it still didn't run right, I might worry about fuel pressure. But as new setups go, fuel pressure would be the least of my concerns. Besides, adding fuel lines/connections is just asking for trouble, no matter how good you run them. If you don't NEED a fuel pressure gauge 100% of the time, why run one? Those are my opinions of course, not denigrating anyone that uses one, just saying I don't, and why. :)

And good call on VATS. Every GM setup I'm aware of '88('89?)-later has VATS.
 
If it winds up being VATS, lemme know, and I can burn you a chip to bypass VATS, and emissions systems if you so desire. Can't do any tuning for you though, still have yet to figure that out with my own truck :D
 
You probably could use a valet key too. Aren't you Corvette guys special? lol :)

Makes sense though, Vette is usually ahead at least one year. I know Camaro's were after '87, as that's what I started out with for an ECM.
 
OK, it started. I have been troubleshooting and reading and feeling like a loser:confused: , but today my little noid lights and fuel pressure gauge showed up so after dinner I had a couple of ideas I wanted to try...lo and behaold an hour later it started:saweet: ....I was so surprised I turned it off and walked away...I came back and started it for a second time to prove it wasn't a fluke and then decided that it might be best to simply enjoy my small victory for the evening and come inside before I got too excited and broke somehting...Thank you guys very much for all the help and advice:bow: ...With any luck I will be driving by the end of the day Saturday...:D
 
Awesome!!

Great feeling when it fires up and runs eh? :D Just be happy you didn't go with a giant cam, and have a crapload of problems later on down the road :P
 
noahrob said:
OK, it started. I have been troubleshooting and reading and feeling like a loser:confused: , but today my little noid lights and fuel pressure gauge showed up so after dinner I had a couple of ideas I wanted to try...lo and behaold an hour later it started:saweet: ....I was so surprised I turned it off and walked away...I came back and started it for a second time to prove it wasn't a fluke and then decided that it might be best to simply enjoy my small victory for the evening and come inside before I got too excited and broke somehting...Thank you guys very much for all the help and advice:bow: ...With any luck I will be driving by the end of the day Saturday...:D
Click to expand...

What did you do differently?
 
It's done (except for what melts and breaks in the next few days), and I am very happy. I learned alot and thetruck is awesome with the new TPI setup. I wired up an electric H2O sensor this morning and the electric fants...runs about 200-210 which is about right...

So much more linear and useable power...I am stoked. While I was out there I threw on the purdy mirrors my wife got me for Christmas. Last summer me, my wife and my daughter were out driving. We stopped at a stop light and the mirror kept going, right into the intersection which my 4 year old daugher thought was hillarious.

Also, how do you like my ghetto bracket...?

A perfect end to a perfect day!:D

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