Throttle Body to Carb Conversion

[Tome]

Okay. I'm at my wit's end with this stupid car. If this has been discussed previously, please post a link to that discussion. I'd be much obliged.

I have a 1991 Samurai, the one with the silly throttle-body intake. The computer is fried. I've had an associate who runs a slot-machine repair shop check the computer, he's said that one of the intergrated circuits is defective. So, the ECM is completely fried. Wonderful.

So. What steps do I need to follow in order to completely ignore the electronics system and go with a carbeurator?

Inspection and testing has shown that all ECM-driven systems can be ignored, bypassed or replaced-by aftermarket parts. I can replace the stock ignition control module with an MSD 6A. I can replace the entire throttle body with either a Daihatsu Pony carb or a Kelli carb (Izook.com has information on how to do this). I was thinking that I should buy a one-barrel Holley and have a machinist fabricate me an adapter plate. But whatever.

Now, here's the real trouble I'm running into. The distributer advance is controlled by the computer. Isn't that great?

Now, the real meat of my question:

1. Is my method for ignoring the ECM sound? If not, kindly suggest an alternate, proven method, preferably with a link to a step-by-step HTML document.

2. How do I fix this problem I'll have with the advance?
2A. Is there a device out there that can translate vacuum energy into an electronic signal?
2B. Did the older (pre-89?) Samurais have vacuum advances on their distributers? If so, are those distributers compatible with the 1991 model year?

Any help whatsoever would be awesome.

Thanks.

[James_Holland]

No reason why you can't use a carb instead. You can replace the distributor with an earlier one, you'll just need to connect the vacuum advance up.

[zukcolo]

Have you looked at the kit offered by Zuksoffroad.com ?
He's offering a constant fuel injection system that utilizes
a VW/Audi system, entirely mechanical, no computer needed.
I'm going this route with a 1600 8v, just to stay away from the
electrical hassles with the 1600 EFI. I have a carbed '88.

[Brown29]

I have a one barrell Rochester that the previous owner had installed on my 1991 Samurai when I first bought it. It has an adapter plate that fits the EFI manifold as you mentioned. It would run over 85 mph with that carb and stock tires when I got it. I also have a pre-EFI wiring harness and distributor that if used along with the carb would end your electrical problems. (You'd also need a fuel pressure regulator to reduce your EFI fuel pump pressure)

[RRich]

Isn't it interesting how owners of other 4x4's are always looking for easy ways to convert to FI from troublesome carburetors, but Zukers go backwards in time.

Where do you get your wooden spoked wagon wheels?

When an FI system doesn't work right, doesn't it make sense to learn how the system works and fix the actual problem?

[Sarge]

If you hop over to the Zuhwarrie.com bbs board there is a guy there that will repair that ecm for a modest fee . Look up the username Surly , he's on there nearly every day . I agree, the efi system on that engine is pretty simple, fixing it can't be that hard with a book and voltmeter . I'm no fan myself , but if you already have it why not fix it ?
Sarge