Problem with new UltraRam EFI system for SBC
So I have a small block chevy 454 custom stroker engine. I installed this new UltraRam system from them because it looked really awesome. I had the goefi 1200 on the motor before without any problems at all, like none. But I wanted this new setup for the looks it would add to the car. Full Pro touring car, blah blah blah....Lol
So I installed it without any issues. Car wouldn't stay running, start then immediately shut off. Found a video of a guy on the internet with same problem and he wrapped his tach feed wire in tinfoil and boom, his engine ran great. So I did the same and boom, my engine fired right up and ran great and smooth. Have been driving the car for about a month and a half and the car runs badass, way more power than the 1200 system and engine seems to really love this injection system. Until last weekend, when i was driving home from a carshow. The car started popping out the exhaust while driving and then would idle like shit, like searching for an idle, from 400-500 rpms to 1100 rpms, bounching all over the place. I wasnt able to work on it throughout the week with work and kids so I tried to today. Thought i would start it and see how it ran today and drove it for a short few minutes but it was popping and running like shit so i brought it back home and it died on me and now it won't start. When i crank it over the handheld is showing 0 rpms while my tach in the car is showing 300rpms roughly while cranking over, hooked up together. So i looked into all the wiring and everything is still good like the whole past month and a half. Voltage, ground, ignition power, tach signal all good. I am at a loss as to what is all of a sudden causing this issue.
My setup is SBC with MSD Pro Billet Dist with 6AL box been in car for 6 years. Fuel system is Walbro 255 LPH pump with bypass regulator setup at 58psi with return to the tank just as FiTech wants. Like i said before everything was working great on the engine then all of a sudden starts running like crap and then now died and won't start up and showing no tach signal at all at the handheld. Any suggestions as to what might be going on would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Matt
Datalog!!!!
I cant as it wont start because it's not getting an RPM signal now. Just cranks over.
Then there is either a problem with voltage during crank, or problem with tach wire.
I am not a fan of the aluminum foil wrap. This can solve an issue, but also create an issue. There is a Sticky post on shielding in the Electrical section. Or you can twist another piece of similar wire, with the tach wire, and ground at least one end. Must twist together tightly. Both methods will solve an interference issue. Make sure to ground the shielding.
I am thinking I have a problem with either my distributor or MSD box or coil. I am not getting spark to the engine. And I am not getting rpm signal to the fitech while cranking. So if im not getting a signal to the fitech from the MSD box while cranking would that lead you to think i have a bad dist or MSD box? I am going to get a coil today from a friend to check that because it is the easiest of the 3 to eliminate. But Im thinking the coil doesn't have anything to do with rpm signal going to the fitech, it would be the distributor magnetic pickup or the MSD box not giving out the signal through itself internally. Idk, just fishing now i guess
Thanks Matt
Are you running timing control or No?
No. And i have it wired up just like in the diagram. and like i said before car has ran great for the past month and a half so Im thinking something was going bad and now it is completely shot. dis, box or coil. i have the tach signal wire from the fitech hooked up to the msd box tach out.
Thanks Matt
also can i turn the key on and tap the tach signal wire going to the fitech unit onto the battery and see if the rpm numbers show anything on the handheld to eliminate any questions about the fitech getting proper feed from that wire?
Quote from mgrant on May 27, 2019, 1:22 pmalso can i turn the key on and tap the tach signal wire going to the fitech unit onto the battery and see if the rpm numbers show anything on the handheld to eliminate any questions about the fitech getting proper feed from that wire?
That was going to be one of my suggestions.
You are heading down the correct path. If Fitech is not controlling spark and no spark, then look at your ignition system. It should spark unless box is off or damaged. I doubt it is the distributor. Mag pickup is very simple. Maybe a wire came loose.
ok im going to dive into that and ill let you know. Thanks for your help with this and its a holiday too, thanks sir
Matt