Hello!

I just picked up an 1985 GS roller (with upgraded ltd slip diff), and inherited a free 85' 13B engine with matching transmission from another 85' GSL-SE with stock EFI components. What would I need to get the engine connected and running in the car? The roller has all the stock GS wiring in place, I'm just not sure if I need to swap out the ECU, or change the wiring harness or anything. For now I want to use the original EFI system on my 13B engine. Also, will the 85' GSL-SE engine drop into the GS frame right away, or do I need to get that installation bracket? Basically, my plan is to upgrade the 85' GS to a 85' GSL-SE spec car.

Thanks for any help guys! I'm so excited to get started!

 

If I was having your problem, which I partially am ( SE engine and driveline into an '80) I would rethink the stock EFI and go aftermarket or use a carburetor instead. If I was stuck in a deep space trajectory venting oxygen with nothing but potatoes to keep me company, I would integrate the GSL-SE EFI unit into the existing GS wiring by creating a custom wiring harness. In full disclosure I am not well versed in the stock EFI wiring so you should study the electrical diagrams stickied at the top of the page. Personally I think you should leave the stock system out of the car. I see a lot of grief with little reward compared to the potential of an aftermarket EFI or a performance carb.

 

Ok thanks for your thoughts! I do have access to a free Holley carb btw, so all I would need to get for that is the intake manifold. I was really hoping to get the EFI up and running if it's not too much of a pain in the ***. I'm just trying to measure the difficulty.

 

A performance carb is the right way to go. EFI will only work for you if all components are available and you know what you're doing. Ancient GSL-SE EFI is not worth swapping into anything.

 

The ancient -SE EFI system parts are still valuable to us forum members who are running it, however.

Whatever you end up doing, please hang onto your original EFI parts, as many of them are no longer available through traditional channels.

As others have stated, the effort to replace the ECU with the -SE wiring harness, bump up the diameter of the fuel lines and pump to handle EFI pressures, and you're still only part-way there. The -SE braking system would require the entire rear axle to get the more common 4x114.3 bolt pattern, upgrading the front spindles to -SE for matching bolt pattern, and then you'd still want the Front Mount Oil Cooler (FMOC) for better cooling action and to get away from the 'beehive' cooler.

Just getting the engine up and running as a stand-alone EFI might be easier using one of the EFI/carb hat devices and a separate computer and fuel pressure system to run the injectors. Just some thoughts,

 

Thank you for your well thought out response! On this GS frame that I have, the front spindles have already been upgraded, and the rear end has been beefed up to the SE version as well. I also have the front mounted oil cooler that I plan on installing. I think for now I will install the Holley carb, and I like your idea of eventually switching to a standalone EFI system. It seems like the biggest hurdle is the fuel lines, and the wiring harness, which might be more effort than it's worth for just the stock EFI system.

 

If you carb it, go for the Weber 48 IDA or dual 36 DCDs. The holley will disappoint on tuning and
cornering.

 

Thanks guys! Going to use the OER 45 for now, and then upgrade to Weber 48 DCOE later. I appreciate all the feedback!