1972 Bus Type4 EA 1.7 to Ljet?

[Bnanwel]

My son and I are restoring a ‘72 Deluxe. I recently ran across a great deal on two full Ljet set, one was clearly a fairly recent removal. The engine that came in the bus is an EA engine with original 371J heads. Clearly whoever was working on it thought it had given up the ghost, oil everywhere and starter siezed. The valves and seats look great. After cleaning and changing all the blown oil seals, the oil pressure was immediately good, the compression on all cylinders is between 130-135. After going through it, I rigged up a floor test( it not on a bench so…), and it started up on the first turn, runs great. I’m aware of the compression differences and understand that they might not be ideal for a bus, but it looks to be a good engine; so, I need to run it. Having said all of that, I would like to put Ljet on this engine. Obviously what I have came from a ‘77 and ‘78 bus. Will the larger plenum volume be an insurmountable problem? Will it just require some further tuning/tweeking? And other questions of this type. BTW, I was born and raised a Texan, so I have thick skin. Beat this question to death…
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‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[Wildthings]

If you are worried about the size of the plenum, 1974 T4 cars came with an 1800 with L-jet while earlier ones had a 1700 with D-jet. 1975 California model buses also had an 1800 with L-jet. Not sure what the various 1700 & 1800 Porsches had for fuel injection systems but there would be potential there as well.

[Bnanwel]

I know that size sometimes matters. I’m wondering if this is one of those times. I feel like it should function; I know there are lots of you guys who will probably have some good insight.
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‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[airschooled]

L-Jet is one of the most versatile injection swaps out there; the air-flow-based system does a fantastic job of compensating for engines it wasn't designed for.

Some time around 2017, KentABQ and I threw a 2L injection system onto a used 1700 or 1800 and he passed the California smog test first time out with no tuning.

Of the dozen carb-to-FI retrofits I've done since, all drove well "out of the box" assuming you get all the details and wiring right on the first try. The big thing is finding all the little NLA bits and bobs that keep the system running smoothly, and making SURE every bit of rubber hose seals properly.

You've seen the shopping list? It's complete and thorough, though most of the parts are for emissions and warm up, not necessarily driving down the road.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670338


Again, driving the car will be smooth and fun regardless of which amalgamation of L-jet parts you end up with. Sure a few HP here and there are nice, but you won't have any other issues if your intake isn't matched exactly to the engine code.

Robbie
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[Bnanwel]

That’s what I was hoping to hear. I have seen the shopping list. I have everything on it x2 but for the fuel return on the tank. I’m about to start testing individual parts and set up a floor test. For the return, I’m thinking that stacked Ys a la Ray Greenwood should work. If not, we will fab a brazed copper return (long-leg to bottom of the tank and short-leg vent which can be inserted and sealed from the mid-tank vent. I’m glad to hear that this has been done successfully already. I thought it must have been tried. I have pretty much everything for this engine except some cooling flaps which some PO(S) removed. Hopefully, I’ll find some soon!(gentle jab)
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‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[raygreenwood]

So what does the 1.7L you have...have for intake manifolds?

Yes you "can" use the 1.8L runners and plenum...but why? The 1.8L TB will bolt right up to the 1.7L plenum. You need to take a tailpipe expander and expand teh opening on the plenum about 4mm. I can post pictures of it for you. It takes minutes and is dead simple.

The 1.7L plenum is not only shaped better for airflow than the 1.8L plenum, its size is dead on perfect for the 1.7L. Out of the four available type 4 car and bus plenums it is the most worked out and best shaped and flowing.

The 1.7L runners are actually far better than the 1.8L runners. They do no thave that crappy angle proplem or that airflow stalling "neck-down" area where they connect to the plenum.

1.7L runners and plenums should be easy to find.

The 1.7L system nd 1.8L system were 100% identical between 914 and 411/412.

Here is a complete 1.7L runner and plenum set with TB, TVS (which you can sell) and an electric AAR (worth it if its operating) and it has the proper cold start valve for D or L jet (double worth it if it works).... $100....thats a good price.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2210216

Here is just a pair of 1.7L runners for $50. not a bad price
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2283660

Here is teh difference when you are dealing with "Porsche people"

Same set of runners only rustier....$120...but they come with four injectors. If they are good....its nearly worth it.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2118405

The L-jet will connect up just fine to the 1.7L intake set up. Ray

[Bnanwel]

Supposedly, the sets came from a 1978 bus. The parts that I have cross-referenced look to be 1977, but stil, I assumed 2.0. The system does, however, “bolt up”. From those pics, the plenum is clearly larger. Would the system I have work as is, or will the added volume prove to be a problem with tuning/running? The 1700 parts you listed do seem reasonable.
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‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[airschooled]

[Bnanwel]

Two full sets for $200. I think it was a pretty good score.

_________________
‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[busdaddy]

That is a score, odd colored injectors thugh, check the part numbers. If they are the type 3/4 D-jet ones I suspect they are I could be interested in them.
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[Bnanwel]

I assume that you mean the yellow and black “spares”. I didn’t think they were the same as the greens and blues. I’ll check the numbers tomorrow and let you know.
_________________
‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[raygreenwood]

[busdaddy]

Please do, they all look similar shape wise, but the little tiny numbers on the sides of the plastic part tell the whole story, ever so slight differences in flow rate and ohms. The black ones may be of interest too.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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[Bnanwel]

Great info all ‘round, guys. This is exactly what I needed. I’ll let you know about those injectors.
_________________
‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[Bnanwel]

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‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[Bnanwel]

Two of the injectors have no numbers. The black one is 311 906 031A. The yellow is 0 280 150 007.
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‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe

[busdaddy]

PM sent.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[raygreenwood]

The 311 part # is a VW part # and is type 3. Also fits Type 4...411/412/914...many mercedes, Saab, Renault etc. The 0280 part # is the exact same injector. Its just the Bosch number.

The "RAM" injector is an aftermarket injector rebuild company. Sme in jector. None of them will work with L-jet. Resistance is different. However, sell them to D-jet guys they are no longer made. Ray

[KentABQ]

[Bnanwel]

Nice! I good to hear that type of reassurance that it’s worth the effort.
_________________
‘72 Karmann Ghia Conv.
‘73 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
‘70 Deluxe
‘72 Deluxe