Anyone have guess of the # of GMC's with EFI?

Bob Dunahugh

New member
Sep 17, 2012
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I think it's a lot. I put my installation off way too long. Someone asked me if EFI is a necessary upgrade. I truly can't say that any upgrade is truly NECESSARY. My list of upgrade that I LIKE are. EFI with spark control, 3:70 FD, greaseable front wheel bearings without taking the bearings apart, front rear axle disc brakes, and a Sanden A/C compressor. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
 
The only reason people do upgrades to their GMC is because THEY CAN.

>
> I think it's a lot. I put my installation off way too long. Someone asked me if EFI is a necessary upgrade. I truly can't say that any upgrade is truly NECESSARY. My list of upgrade that I LIKE are. EFI with spark control, 3:70 FD, greaseable front wheel bearings without taking the bearings apart, front rear axle disc brakes, and a Sanden A/C compressor. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
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I worked on a modified GMC Coach a few years ago that had a 455 Olds that
was extensively modified. It had a Howell EBL installed that was never
"optimized" for the extensive modifications that had been done. The owner
was not completely happy with the way it ran. I agreed to look at the coach
to see if I could do anything with it.
The first thing I noticed was the throttle had a bunch of slack in it
that had to be taken up before any change in engine speed. Upon close
inspection, the inner throttle cable was too long, but if I shortened it
up, it would not open fully. So, I fabricated an adjustable outer cable
retainer that could be moved fore and aft to optimize the movement and
still reach wide open throttle. The installer had installed a return spring
that rivaled a hood spring. It was very difficult to press. A stock
quadrajet double spring cured that. The engine had a "flat spot" at low
speed that was not acceptable. A few phone calls to Howell proved some
help, but, "no cigar". Then, I called Randy VanWinkle and Bob R. at EBL.
They guided me through several "binfile" changes, and with my trusty laptop
and numerous drive tests, we woke that 455 up.
Really, on dry smooth level asphalt, it would burn the tires all
through 1st gear, chirp 'em on both of the other shifts. 3:55 final drive,
stock size tires on Alcoa wheels. Never checked fuel economy. The customer
always towed a car, and never complained about a lack of power. That is a
good outcome in my opinion. Your results may vary.
Jim Hupy

> I think it's a lot. I put my installation off way too long. Someone asked
> me if EFI is a necessary upgrade. I truly can't say that any upgrade is
> truly NECESSARY. My list of upgrade that I LIKE are. EFI with spark
> control, 3:70 FD, greaseable front wheel bearings without taking the
> bearings apart, front rear axle disc brakes, and a Sanden A/C compressor.
> Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
I'm going to take a wild guess and say 20% have EFI. But out of that 20%, how many have Howell vs throttle body bolt on's?
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
Jim K has sold a bunch of Howell systems. If he sees this, he may have a
good idea how many are out there. Several GMC Cascaders have home brewed
systems, made up from a mix of recycled and new pieces and salvaged
harnesses with some Howell harnesses. Lots of them use Musgrove prom chips
rather than the EBL. They run well, once debugged initially.
Jim Hupy

> I'm going to take a wild guess and say 20% have EFI. But out of that
> 20%, how many have Howell vs throttle body bolt on's?
> Scott.
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final
> drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> installed MSD Atomic EFI
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
We have sold at least 50 Howell based unit with the EBL Flash ECM
Very trouble free with good gas mileage .
All the MSD,sniper and FiTech we sold , customers are disappointed with
mileage .
You need timing control program that was done by Bob Musgrove.
Complete with rebuilt full electronic distributor $ 2,300
There are over 300 out there with variations .
There are several people that help support them for us, so they are better
than any techs at company.

> Jim K has sold a bunch of Howell systems. If he sees this, he may have a
> good idea how many are out there. Several GMC Cascaders have home brewed
> systems, made up from a mix of recycled and new pieces and salvaged
> harnesses with some Howell harnesses. Lots of them use Musgrove prom chips
> rather than the EBL. They run well, once debugged initially.
> Jim Hupy
>

>
> > I'm going to take a wild guess and say 20% have EFI. But out of that
> > 20%, how many have Howell vs throttle body bolt on's?
> > Scott.
> > --
> > Scott Nutter
> > 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21
> final
> > drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> > installed MSD Atomic EFI
> > Houston, Texas
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Gary. Had a good laugh over your response. Bob Dunahugh

________________________________
From: Bob Dunahugh
Sent: Wednesday, January 9, 2019 5:02 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Anyone have guess of the # of GMC's with EFI?

I think it's a lot. I put my installation off way too long. Someone asked me if EFI is a necessary upgrade. I truly can't say that any upgrade is truly NECESSARY. My list of upgrade that I LIKE are. EFI with spark control, 3:70 FD, greaseable front wheel bearings without taking the bearings apart, front rear axle disc brakes, and a Sanden A/C compressor. Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale
 
> There are several people that help support them for us, so they are better
> than any techs at company.

That is one of the reasons why why I have a GMC and not a SOB.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com


Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.