CA aircooled FI swap to 49 state compliant FI

[localmusicfan]

Has anyone tried to convert their California aircooled vanagon to a 49 state compliant version? I know the left heater box needs to be swapped out and probably the air flow sensor and ECU. Also the O2 sensor is not present on the 49 state models. I am looking to get a little more power out of my CA model 82 Westy. I know that the timing on the CA model is significantly retarded compared to the 49 state version.

[a1fa]

I went with microsquirt fi myself... Much less aggravation than not knowing what L-Jet is thinking..
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[localmusicfan]

Thanks for the response a1fa. I hadn't heard of Microsquirt before but will check it out. Did you make any mods to your CA vanagon's exhaust system?

[VWinVT]

interested in hearing more about the microsquirt...as I have a Cali tuned aircooled also. How id the wiring work out? What about the tuning steps using your laptop?

[regis101]

Search for Fed exhaust. After you secure the left hand HE, you have a coupla
options. You can find the Fed crossover pipe. You can find the cheapy Empi
header. You may need a Cat in AZ? Magnate flow has high flow units.
Use the search function for Fed exhaust or exhaust in general.
I wouldn't loose sleep over the FI portion for awhile. If it runs good, maybe
leave it alone for the time being. My old long gone 78 Westy had good
improvements with just a Bugpack header and single quiet muffler
vs the stock cat/muffler set up. Search the classifieds for the HE and other
parts. Man, I used, search, a lot in this one. Sorry
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Peace, ~R

[Randy in Maine]

You would be better off tuning the set up you have with a LM1 than swapping it out for a 49 state.

[regis101]

..and maybe a bit of exhaust tweaking. Just my hang up
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Peace, ~R

[localmusicfan]

Thanks for the advice Regis101. I already have a line on a used federal HE and exhaust system. Can I eliminate the CA O2 sensor or is that needed for the FI to work? If so, I'll need to weld in a bung to the Federal system to accommodate it. Also, what is an LM1?

Probably a wise decision to first change out the restrictive exhaust and then evaluate before making other changes.

[regis101]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1620452

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1618483

This is what you're asking about
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Peace, ~R

[regis101]

Work with the FI at hand. Using the LM1 as stated above is a great way to get a baseline on the fuel/spark side.

Wouldn't hurt to do a compression test.

The later FI is very good. Fix all vacuum hose leaks. The hose gets brittle right at the end(s). Most is braided but the rubber deteriorates.

I just found a small vacuum line shredded on mine. Eh, and this is after I found them all.

Play around. Get up close and personal. Easy bolt on is the exhaust upgrade.
_________________
Peace, ~R

[Randy in Maine]

You will also need a correct 11 pin double relay and a series resister.

[regis101]

Anyone have engine specs between the two? Probably a lot of work in the end
Might have to do a complete harness and component swap.
Just run it.
_________________
Peace, ~R

[Wildthings]

The timing is pretty much the same between the Cal and Fed models in all condition except during decel and at base idle. Set your timing at 28-30* BTDC at 3500* rpms hoses off for either.