torpedo51

Thanks for all the great responses. I'm committed to putting this thing back together the way it was, because it seems to be the path of least resistance for now. If the MegaSquirt didn't retain its program, I'll take it to a tuner. If the MegaSquirt is dead, I'll replace it. I can repair some of the bunky wiring, connectors and sensors (that's my personal specialty). I found a new fuel injector for the TBI and a new fuel pump. The block halves came back from machining, the heads and camshafts are back from our trustworthy rebuilder. So my last question is... where do I get reliable rebuild components for this? Gasket set, bearings, pistons, rings, pushrods, seals, headbolts, etc. Also - I don't know what car this came out of... the year, the make, the model. So if there are some nuances between models and model years, please let me know so that I can chase down appropriate casting marks/codes or obtain the better options. Note: the oil pump and water pump appear functional, so I'll try to reuse those UNLESS there's a reliable new/remanufactured option out there? If I need to move this portion of the conversation to a new or existing thread, please let me know! Thanks in advance. If this works out I'll take on the next project, and I'll use an EJ22.

For the benefit of others... at the time of this posting, I didn't realize that my EA81 had a GM SPFI throttle body. So the specs I needed were actually for the GM TBI which we were able to lookup from casting codes. I have two other posts that ask independent but related questions to why I have a GM SPFI on my EA81. Thanks all!

Right - its unclear whether it was from a Camaro, Cavalier, Celebrity or some other 2.0 - 2.5L Chevy engine. Certainly from a 4 cylinder. I have another post going for a related issue, and it would be helpful if any of you could weigh in. The question is: why do you think the prior owner of this VW bus put a Chevy TBI300 SPFI onto a Subaru EA81? Specifically, is there some advantage to using this GM SPFI instead of the Subaru SPFI? Seems like a lot of extra work: EA82 manifold, TBI adapter plate, O2 sensor, Megasquirt ECU + harness, hours of custom A/F tuning, etc. It was obviously successful, the guy logged a zillion miles on it in his journal... then sadly passed away so I only have his notes. Here's the link to the other post. Thx!

You're probably right! The GM +MS were working when the car was put into storage... is it worth keeping? I dunno. I'm asking the same question. Here's another pic. Here's another observation: I'd score this custom SPFI functionality as a 10/10 being that the owner's notes are showing 30+mpg for several continental wide excursions within 8 months, the aesthetic of the installation is a 5/10 because its not pretty or new but fortunately there aren't any wire splicers or electrical taped connections, and the overall complexity is probably 10/10 because of the GM/Megasquirt/MSD ignition and all of the scratch built wiring, fuel mapping, intake adapter plate, radiator installation and matching fuel pump. I would think that restoring this to a factory harness and factory SPFI would simply the remainder of this project tremendously. However, I don't want some trashy 40 year old wiring and a corroded ECU with bunky solder joints. Is the EA82 the SPFI version of the EA81? Is there a vendor who sells a repro or new harness, and perhaps a new or reconditioned SPFI? If there's an existing post in the forum that has this info, please help me find it. If not... my preference is to put something new and reliable in it... hence the suggestion to use a new Haltech & universal harness, new sensors, and keep the GM SPFI. Is it possible to restore an EA81/82 to "like new" condition without building the harness from scratch?

I said in my OP: "p.s. I've ruled out changing to an EJ20/EJ22 which may not fit and I don't have time to experiment with." I've done my best to avoid EJ Swap info, LOL! Why do all of you think the creator of this thing decided to use a GM SPFI instead of factory EA82 (did I get that right?) setup in the first place? Seems a lot of work to create a harness and do the A/F mapping, if the stock equipment was perfectly capable? This is really the question that I'm getting at with this post... and if the answer is that the stock equipment is someone insufficient, then perhaps some insight as to why might help to select a good aftermarket ECU. Thanks!

For the benefit of others (and thanks to all who nudged me forward): It was identified positively as an 1982 GM SPFI (1982 Camaro) I was able to purchase a replacement injector for it. Thanks!

Ok Ok... sorry to disappoint! It seems we made a mistake identifying the heads. There is a nearly complete EJ22T turbo system in a box here, so we thought the chef of this concoction had used the heads (there are references to working with these heads in the notes, so we'll explore that in a little more detail next week). Here are a few pictures of the long block in the middle of teardown. Either way, the purpose of my post is to explore the best way to move forward with an ECU solution: stock, aftermarket, which aftermarket, something else... To those wondering why I thought exploring an EJ22 would be more time consuming than moving forward with a new ECU: My transmission is already excellent, it already has an adapter plate known to fit, a complete exhaust system with lambda sensors known to fit and work, motor mounts known to fit and work, an entire cooling system known to fit and work, a compete operational A/C known to fit and work, and various other nuance fitments that have already been modified and adjusted successfully. Seems a much lighter path forward to upgrade the ECU to this existing hardware than to start all over. Unless there's a complete EJ2* kit that comes complete and with excellent installation instructions that I can install in less than 40 hours... I really don't have the time to explore it. Appreciate the recommendation; I'm sure an EJ2* is a good idea for someone else. I just want to get this van running and on to the next project.

Its not an EA82T. I work at an engine shop. I don't have an EA trans; its a Rancho freeway flyer (VW). I really don't have time to go deeper into this as an EJ conversion... just looking for some ideas on how to best implement the EA concoction that I have. Thx!

First post, forgive me if this isn't the right forum. I acquired a 1964 VW Bus "barn find", with this home-brew power train: EA81 shortblock, EJ22t heads, EA82 intake manifold, 1982 GM SPFI (1982 Camaro), Megasquirt ECU, Innovate Motorsports Lambda sensor. The prior owner who concocted and fabricated this, put 20,000 miles on it in 2007 driving all over North America before it was parked and hasn't been driven since. Worth nothing - the owners journal shows getting 33mpg out of this thing consistently. Appears to have been a successful build, but it seems complicated and wonky. My preference is to ditch the GM SPFI/Megasquirt in favor of a stock EA82 SPFI & ECU... but I assume the prior owner determined the stock equipment either didn't work or wasn't as efficient as a custom A/F mapping? If I can't use the stock SPFI/ECU, I'd like to ditch the Megasquirt in favor of a current generation ECU (Haltech or AEM?). Thanks in advance for thoughts and alternatives on how to move forward. p.s. I've ruled out changing to an EJ20/EJ22 which may not fit and I don't have time to experiment with.

Yep - identified as a Rochester TBI. Seems to be from a GM truck. I was able to locate a model number on it. Thanks to all.

Here are pictures of the SPI installed on my car. Can anyone tell me how to identify this?

I sort of agree with you. If I were at an auto parts store, how would I tell them the model and year? 1989 GL?

Yes, its on an EA81 block... but I don't think that matters because EA81's never came with SPFI from the factory.

The engine is transplanted into a VW bus... nobody knows exactly what it came from.

I need to identify the throttle body so that I can buy a replacement fuel injector. I lost the pictures that I took and I'm 300 miles away from my car at the moment. I think I have an EA82 SPI manifold and throttle body. I could identify it if I could see it. Can anyone point me to a photo gallery online, or provide a few pictures? I can't find anything in a Google search (?!). Thanks

A member of the Samba VW forums was familiar with the conversion and directed me right to the Subaru manuals. Section 2-8: Pressure capability 36-50 psi Flow rate 21gph @ 21psi For the benefit of others, the Carter P5000 is the best match (to retain the correct plug for the aftermarket ECU): Carter P5000: 45gph@45psi

I need to know the fuel supply PSI and GPH rating for the EA82 single port fuel injection throttle body. Because of my custom application, I can't use stock or direct replacement fuel pump, so please don't point me to any replacement units that "should work". I'm only asking for the fuel supply requirements (PSI and GPH) please. Thanks! TJ

The picture didn't upload...

Ok, can you point me to a picture of the series ID casting code so that I know where to find it? Or can you definitively tell that this is an EA81 - if so what are the cues?

thanks - is there a way to tell if its 1600 or 1800?

I bought a vw bus with a subaru conversion. Its in storage out of state and I can't get to the engine to read the codes. Can someone help me identify what this is? I need to buy a water pump for it. Thanks