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  #1  
Old 10-05-2003, 06:39 PM
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Question Conversion of '90 318 TBI to 4 bbbl carb ??? (also, discussion of OD trannys)

My son is going to use my old 1990 Ramcharger (318 TBI w/ auto tranny) for his daily driver. We were rooting around in my garage and found a nice old stock 340 intake, a brand new "small" Carter AFB (w/ electric choke), and an electronic distributor (w/ vacuum adv). Since he had the heads off already (valve freshening), we figured to swap the old throttle body fuel injection system over to the 4 barrel set-up.

Has anyone here done this before ? It looks like we have the major pieces, but I'm wondering if there is anything I'm overlooking or any weirdo problems that will be encountered.
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Old 10-05-2003, 06:49 PM
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It's an east swap. Also you need a new cam eccentric to run a mech. fuel pump and a timming chain cover since yours does not have the openings for the fuel pump. You need to remove the old electric pump from the tank and replace it with a sock that can be picked up at Advance auto for a couple of bucks. I'd also pick up a msd box and use the stock dist.

You cant use the old fuel pump due to too much pressure for a carb. Also add a lifter valley baffel while you have the intake off. It keeps the hot oil off the bottom of the intake for a cooler denser air/fuel charge for some extra hp. The thermoquad would be a better carb for this engine. IT will be more throttle responsive than a holley or your carb. New 189 from Advance also. IF you want an aluminum intake the Weiand action plus would be your best choice for this combo as well.
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Old 10-05-2003, 07:02 PM
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Default dwc43, do you think I could.........

......make use of a fuel pressure regulator before the carb and keep the electric fuel pump (in the tank) ?
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Old 10-05-2003, 07:09 PM
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You might if you could find one that will adjust it from the 35 or so psi down to the six you need for a carb. I doubt you'll find one and if so it will be in the 100.oo up range for a good one. Much easier and cheaper to put a 40 dollar Carter pump on it from Summit Racing and put the molly coated eccentric on it from mopar performance.
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Old 10-06-2003, 09:55 PM
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im doing this soon

Im doing this soon. Should be making this swap this winter. Should be no problem at all. I suggest a adjustable fuel pressure regulator to bring your TBI fuel pressure down from 14.5 pounds to around 7.5puonds. The map sensor will still be used (it does the same job as the vac advance) as is the air temp sensor. The stock HEI distributor is just fine by the way. Remote mount the air temp sensor to the breather. Now the Throttle Position Sensor is another deal. It could be removed and you can deal with the Error codes. Im thinking of using the carb bellcrank to actuate the TPS so i can have my lockup torque converter working instead of hooking a on/off switch to it. Im also working on a way to wire around the Fuel Cut Defence that kicks in at 5800rpm as well. Im thinking about remote switching it on and off and bypassing the ECU alltogether. Oh ya.. The carbs a 600Carter (edlbrock) and have the wieand action plus intake wich i would recommend to anyone doing a like swap.
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Old 10-06-2003, 09:56 PM
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im doing this soon

oops...
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Old 10-07-2003, 09:37 PM
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Default hellhound, we were thinking .........

..........of eliminating the computer completely. I guess we'll need to check the lock-up torque convertor deal.
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Old 10-07-2003, 11:39 PM
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That's the easiest way to do it RB. Drop the computer and use an msd 8 with the stock dist. And Mopars dont use hei's that's chebby junk. And the lock up can be done by a simple toggle switch or simple use a non lock up tranny. The 600 is too small and wont work well at all with the Weaind action plus. Stick with a new thermoquad and you want be sorry.
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Old 10-09-2003, 08:24 PM
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Default

didnt know... i thought the electronics in the distributer was the hall effect type. Sorry if I was wrong but...what kinds is it actually. I know you can use a switch for the lock up converter driving around with the thing locked up can lead to extra wear on the tranny. My truck has the A500 series tranny...and the overdrive wont work without the ECU to control it , right? This is good stuff keep the info coming.
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Old 10-09-2003, 11:33 PM
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There's a way to use a switch to get around the o.d. unit too, but I dont ahve a diagram of it. Sorry.
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  #11  
Old 10-12-2003, 03:50 PM
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The Ramcharger has an on/off switch on the dash that engages/disengages the o.d. unit. I know a couple guys have used this tranny (believe it's a A-518) behind big blocks in "B" body MoPars. Some outfit makes an adaptor to mate the bellhousing to the block.
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Old 10-12-2003, 03:57 PM
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A 518 wont hold up behind a big block. It hardly holds up behind a stock small block.
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Old 10-12-2003, 08:16 PM
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Hmmm, I think you're mixing up the A-500 with the A-518. These are NOT the same trannys.

The 500 is a 904 with OD. Made for light duty use (400 lbs/ft. max).

The 518 is a good ol' 727 with OD. Ten years ago guys were swapping these in behind potent small blocks only (because nobody made an adaptor). But a couple of years later adaptors were being made. Then you could put them behind big blocks and they work fine and dandy (as they are literally a bulletproof 727). Also, these 518's had no lock-up torque convertor. You can buy any kind of aftermarket convertor or shift kit you want (cause it's a 727).
Like I said, I know 2 guys who put the A-518 behind their big blocks many years ago. One guy's has seen quite a bit of track time to boot. Both trannys have had zero problems. Only thing is, you have to modify the trans x-member because of the bulkier OD unit in the tailshaft area. The OD unit is controlled by 2 pin trans connector (one wire to +12vdc and the other to ground via a switch).
It's a great deal if you want 4.10's or 4.56's !
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  #14  
Old 10-12-2003, 08:33 PM
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I should clairfy what I was thinking and not writting. The o.d part is the weak link. Your correct about the 904 = a500 727= a518 but the o.d. part is still the weak link in them both. Replacedd too many of the things when I worked at teh dealer.
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Old 10-12-2003, 10:14 PM
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Default Speedo

I just put a'90 A-518 in my '85 ramcharger. I used the switch for O/D, but the speedometer is another story. The O/D trans uses an electric speedo, I removed the sensor from the trans, and conected a normal speedo cable, but it would not work.

As for the rest, the performance ignition kit tells how to do this swap, they just overlook the speedo and any info on O/D use without the throttle position sensor.

BTW, this system does not use an airtemp sensor to the best of my knowledge. I been wrong before though.

Brian
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Old 10-13-2003, 06:55 AM
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I didnt think it had an air temp sensor either....Till I had to replace one. It was located at the rear of the right hand side of the throttle body and screws into the throttle body.
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Old 10-14-2003, 12:46 AM
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Default Cool

And now again. I don't mind learning something new. Thanks hellhound!
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