Are there any Ram Jet fuel injection people...

[73z-6sp]

who have successfully installed their own RJ engine? I am having a heck of a time with mine and I am quite honestly ready to take a hammer to it before throwing it in the trash! I have done all the things I can think of short of transporting it to Az speed and marine. Fuel in tank, fuel pressure correct, timing correct, grounds correct and I even separated them. Added more ground straps from engine to body to frame to engine. Checked connections, bought software, read manual, done tests. It just will not stop running rich and backfiring. Sometimes it will refuse to start. And yes...I have checked my firing order many times thinking maybe I have it wrong but it isnt. I have pretty much had it with this thing. Anyone want to buy a slightly dented RJ fuel injection unit? ;)

[Dust87ss]

I know you said you checked the firing order, but maybe it's out 180*?

[73z-6sp]

Nope, I've checked that three times hoping I was wrong. It is right where it is supposed to be.

[Dust87ss]

How did you check it? Timing light?

[73z-6sp]

I removed the valve cover, rotated the engine to TDC, checked distributer and checked wires. I can assure you it isnt that. I wish it was. That would make my life a whole heck of a lot easier! I've made that mistake on early projects in my life. I've learned enough to know when that is wrong.

[Damn True]

Sounds like something the engine in my Jeep once did. It started acting up all at once with no warning. I dunno if your particular engine has one, but it could be a bad CPS?

[73z-6sp]

Dare I ask what a CPS is? Is it me?
;)
I think it needs more cowbell!

What an awesome skit! One of the best on SNL.

[Elusive R]

Do you have any way to check the sensors? Bad O2? Also, you didn't say if you checked the timing with a light or not. My Accel unit acted in a similar way - although sounds like mine was running better (sorry) - when the timing was way off. Also, how's the ignition module? Does the RJ control timing? I went through 3 modules before I got a good one with mine.

Ryan

[Damn True]

Dare I ask what a CPS is? Is it me?
;)
I think it needs more cowbell!

What an awesome skit! One of the best on SNL.

Crankshaft position sensor.

The engine in my Jeep (an AMC I-6) was running fine one day. The next day I started it to go to work and it behaved exactly the way you are describing. I replaced the CPS and it ran perfect.

I don't know if your particular engine even has one. But I know many EFI systems use them.

[73z-6sp]

OH!!...Duh. Sorry. The computer has provisions to use the CPS but that is in the marine version from what I can tell. It isnt used for the land version. So unfortunately I dont think that is the problem.

The software gives the readings from all the sensors. They all seem to be within accepted range. And yes the RJ does control timing. You have to set base timing but then it takes over from there.

Thanks for the posts. Have a great weekend!

[73z-6sp]

Im still trying to figure this out. I checked timing again (yes, with a timing light) I even thought that maybe I had misread the timing marks on the balancer and tried readjusting the timing to where I thought was correct...it runs worse now and will not start back up unless I move the distributor back to where it was! Im no engine guy by any means. I just want to figure this out. I am seriously considering taking out the engine in exchange for a carbed engine.

[tbair]

What is your fuel pressure? Are you running a in tank pump? We have installed 2 of the ramjets with no problems.

[73z-6sp]

I have tried running fuel pressure from 37 to 55 psi when running. I cannot get it to make a difference. It is harder to start if the pressure is on the low side but it doesnt effect the smoking or the backfiring. I am going to take it to AZ speed and Marine as I cannot keep screwing around with this thing. The way I feel now is I wish I had never gone with this engine. Hopefully I will change my mind.
FWIW, I have the PA-4 in tank fuel pump set up from tanks inc. It is a 250lph Walbro pump.

[tbair]

Sounds like youve got everything you need,I would be willing to bet its the ECU.

[hotrod]

I installed one of these in a camaro about 4 years ago and it has performed flawlessly for me. It's a great motor. Since then I have rebuilt a '94 LT1 motor for another project and that one has cost me more than the RJ (still haven't fired it up yet either). Take it to your shop and have them look it over.

[dendrizzi]

any news on the motor?

[73z-6sp]

No, I had intended to take it to AZ speed and marine Monday. I spent all weekend trying to get my electric fan working properly. The DC controller wasnt working properly. I used another controller but it keeps blowing the fuse so i think the fan may be shorted? At anyrate, I wasnt able to take it up Monday. I called to tell them and they were supposed to call me back to set up another day but have not called yet. Which is fine as I still dont have a functioning fan and I am too frustrated to work on the car right now. I need to walk away for a while and come back later. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for asking!

[Firehawkslp]

who have successfully installed their own RJ engine? I am having a heck of a time with mine and I am quite honestly ready to take a hammer to it before throwing it in the trash! I have done all the things I can think of short of transporting it to Az speed and marine. Fuel in tank, fuel pressure correct, timing correct, grounds correct and I even separated them. Added more ground straps from engine to body to frame to engine. Checked connections, bought software, read manual, done tests. It just will not stop running rich and backfiring. Sometimes it will refuse to start. And yes...I have checked my firing order many times thinking maybe I have it wrong but it isnt. I have pretty much had it with this thing. Anyone want to buy a slightly dented RJ fuel injection unit? ;)

1st a few questions. Have you been able to drive the car? If so what are the conditions under which it back fires, on first fire up, does it do it only once or on accelleration, ect? Does it stay rich even after warm up, does it back fire out thru the exh. or spit back thru the intake,? Does it have the nonadjustable sealed controller.
Can you send the controller back to be tested. There's an old saying the parts bus. "Just cause it's new, don't mean it ant broke."
Is this a complete eng. or just the F.I.

[73z-6sp]

Have I been able to drive the car: Just down the street and back and on and off the trailer.

It back fires when you are driving it. I did not give it much throttle at all...just enough to make it go down the road and go into second gear. It sounds like a "bang" or something like that in the exhaust. I assume it is through the exhaust. It doesnt do it when idling but a few times the engine has died and seems to spit back through the air cleaner....there is sometimes smoke coming out too. It does it more than once when driving it.

It has the adjustable fuel pressure regulator.

I am still planning to take it to AZ speed and marine in Phoenix. I am just having a tough time finding a trailer to use. I may end up buying one of my own. I just dont have anywhere to store it!

Thanks for the post. Believe me, when I get it back I will definitely post an update! I cant wait!

[Firehawkslp]

The "smoke " when it dies is most likely fuel washing back. I would run the valves making sure there not being held open. Have you pulled all the plugs to see if all the cylinders are rich. One leaky injector could cause the ecm to lean all, yet still smell rich. This would explain the ruff running, the backfiring and the stalling. Also check that the plug wires are well seprated espcially where they run parallel to rule out cross firing, also check pwr to the ignition most modern hei and dis run on a full 12 v . One last thought have you checked for intake leaks ( spray carb cleaner, wd-40, brake cleaner, ect. along the intake matting surfaces) at the heads, throttle body, if the engines running changes, congrates it's a leak.
These are things to check other than the ecm related.