Fuel Injection on a Pinto

[James Doulton]

Both of my Duttons have 2 litre Pintos with Weber twin choke carbs. I would like to make them a bit more reliable and powerful, so I was wondering about replacing the ignition system and carb with an Omex 600 ECU and motorbike throttle bodies.

It seems to me that throttle bodies from a GSXR600, which are 38mm internal diameter, seem about right - there are plenty on ebay for around £100. The injectors can flow 240cc/min which is enough for well over 200bhp (not that such figures are on the cards for what I have in mind).

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of doing anything similar with a pre-efi engine? How did it turn out?

I am looking to get to about 130bhp at 6000rpm with a high-lift, but not a particularly hot, cam.

[Pete Clayton]

James I would sign up and ask on Locostbuilders http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk loads of the guys over there run bike carbs

[2edvaw06pgbav]

James, how about a stock Ford EFI system? You need the complete EFI pinto or just the head and the EFI system, It's perfectly possible to make the pinto EFI work in place of a carb, stock it gives about 115 bhp, port the head a little, again easily done at home and add an FR34 cam and you'll have around 130 bhp. A mate of mine did it years ago with a 2.0 Capri and it was as fast as the 3.0 Capri I had at the time. I've collected all the parts to do it again with my current Capri. Its about four wires to make it all work and I'll bet it's cheaper than an aftermarket ecu

[Dave Adams]

buy a zetec....it'll fit the gearbox, its lighter than the pinto, it comes with 130hp out of the box, its reliable, it will do at least twice the mileage fuel wise, and the cost overall will be less than poncing about with the boat anchor........

[James Doulton]

I have been looking on the Omex site. For a price (around £3000) they will supply a brand new Zetec with 150bhp using the standard Ford intake or 170bhp on Jenvey throttle bodies (more like £4000). Their info is a very useful reference and has loads of dimensions to help plan your fit.

However the standard Zetec has a few issues: the sump will need work to clear the cross-member; the water outlet is at the back of the engine and means moving the engine forward in the Legerra; My type 9 box needs a different bell housing (£250 from Omex) which also moves the gearbox closer so new propshaft.

[John Allen]

dave im with u, cheap, quick, easy, reliable, powerful etc the list goes on. my projects a 2.0l silvertop on bike carbs. guessing about 140-150 and the whole lot incl mt75 gearbox set me back £250 including some spares.

[James Doulton]

I have bike carbs that I bought for my Pinto but I am having cold feet about setting them up. An Omex or Megasquirt is a breeze compared - just plug in your laptop and fiddle with the map. I reckon that I could get a reasonable starting position just messing about at home.

On the bike carbs, the main jet is in the fuel bowl under the carb, which means removing the carb to get at it - how much rolling road time will that take? With an Omex costing about £600 and bike throttle bodies being cheap then it might cost less than using bike carbs.

[Dave Adams]

The zetec uses standard ford bellhousing pattern as does the pinto. The sump is relatively shallow compared to the pinto so again shouldn't be an issue.  The waterpump position is again not a problem just use a metal pipe.

[Ed Townend]

I've actually got a Pinto EFI conversion I bought when mine was dicky but never used, has the intake manifold + throttle body and idle valve, fuel rail and injectors, distributer, fuel pressure regulator and ECU. Needs the loom finishing, as it only comes with the great big ECU plug and the injector loom. I paid just under £100 for it all. Any use to you, I'd take offers? I've got a sequential LPG system that piggybacked off it too that could go with it if you wanted to lose most of your boot space.

Can check details and get photos if you're interested, but don't feel pressured, it'll either go back on ebay or continue to clutter the garage if you don't want it. Just another option for you.

[Adrian Southgate]

Blimey... hello Ed 

[Ed Townend]

Hi Ade, I have been here fairly regularly, just had nothing to say! I know, I'll show the progress the Melos and Pegs are making.

[Adrian Southgate]

No worries mate. I have no doubt that the old dears will have their own space on the internet at some point. :-)