'81 IMPERIAL EFI CONVERSION TO CARB - ANYONE TRY THIS?

[Dobalovr]

I had a 1981 Imperial offered to us as a trade-in recently. It has the pre-historic Chrysler EFI on it and does not currently run although it did when it was parked one year ago. My question to the group is has anyone done a carb conversion on these cars without having to replace the fuel tank and rewire the entire cluster. Can a simple electronic conversion and intake replacement with a 2BBL be done without major modification to the car? Don't care about pollution controls or passing smog inspection just want the thing to run and drive. I remember disconnecting O2 sensors on them years ago to get them to run better but other than that I am out of my AO. Thoughts?

 

[moparnutcase]

I had a 1981 Imperial offered to us as a trade-in recently. It has the pre-historic Chrysler EFI on it and does not currently run although it did when it was parked one year ago. My question to the group is has anyone done a carb conversion on these cars without having to replace the fuel tank and rewire the entire cluster. Can a simple electronic conversion and intake replacement with a 2BBL be done without major modification to the car? Don't care about pollution controls or passing smog inspection just want the thing to run and drive. I remember disconnecting O2 sensors on them years ago to get them to run better but other than that I am out of my AO. Thoughts?

I have heard of some who have converted themselves but not sure how involved. I do know a few who have installed a plug and play EFI kit with mixed results. They are not the easiest thing to fix once it takes a crap.

 

[commando1]

What's the problem? No factory conversion kits left on the shelf? Lol...

 

[Dobalovr]

Lol actually Ive had my parts guy go through the mopar performance catalog from 10 years ago looking for any parts still sitting in inventory at depots or other dealers including the US - stay tuned for a report on what he found...

 

[cantflip]

Lol actually Ive had my parts guy go through the mopar performance catalog from 10 years ago looking for any parts still sitting in inventory at depots or other dealers including the US - stay tuned for a report on what he found...

This should be interesting...

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

All I remember iz that the TSB that went out waz begging the dealerz to fight cry and whimper with their customerz and not tell them about the TSB for them which waz about $2500 corporate cost + paying the Dealer 8 hourz labor

 

[1978 NYB]

Is there a block off plate where a mechanical fuel pump would mount on the engine?

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

I'd think there would be Bob. All those '81+'82+'83 Imperials were 318 carz

 

[commando1]

I'd say to simply drop in a 360 Magnum but then the instrument panel would not play nice.
If these Imps weren't dealer converted back in the day, they are useless today.

 

[Dobalovr]

Yup Ive taken them on trade years ago and sadly if they didnt run we crushed them (hey it was the 90's) i have one salesguy who remembers selling the same Imp 8 times to different people as they kept on returning it for stalling for no reason. Guess this latest edition has a dim future. Looked for the old conversion kit NLS go figure. The electrical is the real issue as there are many overlay patches to be done to make the cluster work. Gonna go call horse trailer Imperial Stan the laugh will make me feel better..

 

[Big_John]

I love those Imps... Never had one though. Wish I was closer etc.

The cluster has to have some sort of work around or replacement with analog or modern aftermarket digital.

 

[Dobalovr]

Here is the lengthy repair manual from Chrysler courtesy of the Imperialclub:
1981-1983 Imperial Carburetor Retrofit Manual

Little beyond my abilities and every tech I have looked at me as if i had 3 heads

 

[Big_John]

Yea, that looks like it is pretty involved.

If I were doing it, I would look at what is interchangeable with the other Chrysler lines. Like the tank, although I bet you could mod the tank to make it work right. Then I would think about replacing with an aftermarket EFI or going to a simpler carb and manifold. Conventional Mopar electronic ignition and maybe an electric fuel pump.

Start over with the wiring harness. That is everything under the hood, headlights back. The instrument panel would probably have to go. Again, what could be shared from the parts bin at Chrysler.

Doing a conversion like the dealers did is out of the question. I'd treat it like I got a '69 Dart with a nice body and no engine.

The other cooler alternative is a conversion to a newer hemi drivetrain.

 

[commando1]

Yea, that looks like it is pretty involved.

If I were doing it, I would look at what is interchangeable with the other Chrysler lines. Like the tank, although I bet you could mod the tank to make it work right. Then I would think about replacing with an aftermarket EFI or going to a simpler carb and manifold. Conventional Mopar electronic ignition and maybe an electric fuel pump.

Start over with the wiring harness. That is everything under the hood, headlights back. The instrument panel would probably have to go. Again, what could be shared from the parts bin at Chrysler.

Doing a conversion like the dealers did is out of the question. I'd treat it like I got a '69 Dart with a nice body and no engine.

The other cooler alternative is a conversion to a newer hemi drivetrain.

Great. And after you go through a year's worth of wretched agony, you end up with an Imperial with a home made dash.

 

[fury1]

My brother had a brown 81 imperial with the carb conversion kit. It also had a sunroof. Was a very nice car when he first bought it. Sad to say he was like 22 at the time and had gone through at least a dozen cars before this one. It was beat when He sold it to a guy who cut the roof off for another car...

 

[CanCritter]

Lol actually Ive had my parts guy go through the mopar performance catalog from 10 years ago looking for any parts still sitting in inventory at depots or other dealers including the US - stay tuned for a report on what he found...

 

[Big_John]

Great. And after you go through a year's worth of wretched agony, you end up with an Imperial with a home made dash.

The dash would take some work. The rest looks simple. Think basic car here... But I will give you that the dash could be a *****. I'd look for a similar analog cluster if needed and adapt that. Last resort would be aftermarket gauges, but I'd bury them under some smoked plastic and light them up to see. I gotz mad skillz and could do that.

It's a moot point anyway. I'm not going to do a project like that. I have a 53 Windsor calling my name as we speak.

 

[Dobalovr]

Patience parts guy is old n slow. Stuff is in transit when it actually shows up ill post some pics. Nothing earth shattering but was surprised how much stuff in the catalog was still sitting on shelves out there....if i was smarter and richer i'd collect every last NOS piece then rule feebay until retirement - if anyone has a NOS part number they want checked out PM me parts guy sleeps too much anyway..Can search Canada US depots and dealers

 

[CanCritter]

did alota efi dabelin with my 91...for tunes is Lyndon.. Westers outa Tilly Albt...he dose alota dealers and fleetwork...also has a satelite dealer in Calgary that installs their tunes...food for thought..

 

[hotdog647]

Wasn't this Mopar's earliest attempt at meeting emissions standards? Seems like the Lean Burn System, if working well, did it without smog pumps, miles of hoses, etc. The biggest error, if memory is correct, is that the tiny computer chip wa the air cleane intake snout and not inside the passenger compartment. What a poor place, subject to heat, vibration, changes in temp, moiture, dirt etc. The corporate swap to a plain carb 318 was a good patch. The Imperials of that era reminded me of the 80-85 Cadillac Seville Bustle Back trunk.