Fuel Injection Conversion?Possible?

[Jedz123]

And yet, there is a reason it hasn't become common with these old bikes. There are no such kits that work right-and which would be priced reasonably even if they existed.

I bet for the price of a "kit" you could get into a FI bike... Then you also inherit; radial tires, improved brakes, updated suspension, lighter structural material... ETC

Point I got from this thread is the PO wants to modernize his machine. My only recommendation is buy a modern bike... It would be be a much better bang for the buck, less of a headache and guess what? Modern bikes are bad a$$ and are affordable. (More affordable then walking down a custom FI system IMHO)

As for Carb vs FI. Each have their plus and minuses. When I Re-Flashed my Concours14 it cost $400 and was absolutely necessary when I installed the high flowing ZX-14 exhaust. If I ran stock a stock flash I could have easily damaged the engine. The flash also tweaked the Variable Valve Timing which gave me max WHP (160.8) from 9.5 RPM to 11KRpm (Flat peak HP for 1.5K RPM)... Modern design FTW... Carbs? Jets are cheap and once you learn to tune it's the definitive cheaper option. IMHO I see no difference in reliability for it you take care of your fueling system a rack of carbs can last big miles (except on my Bandit which seemed to need a set of emulsions every 20k Miles or so...). Carbs are easier/cheaper to make more HP with too... FI you'll need some competence in mapping and timing to make it run SWEET.

Do note professional tuning is pricey... and I still try to wrap my head around the fact I paid for theoretically nothing, just my tuners time and some software... But it was a considerable gain. If the bike was carbureted I could do the work myself confidently. But with the Connie (not so much TU) the Engine management system is integrated with VV-T, FI, ignition, cooling and anti-theft systems. The TU250X will be easy to tune... 1 Cylinder 2V SOHC FTW.

To have an injection conversion done correctly on a GS seems prohibitively expensive unless you have the tools in house to fabricate and then tune(either with data logger or dyno). I can tell you a well dialed in rack will yield a smooth, powerful and reliable machine... For small bucks (needles and jets are cheap).

My advice to the original PO... If you have money to blow that might ultimately get you no where Or yield no gains other then that hum when you turn they key. Then by all means go for it and write a thread, I'll be watching. But my recommendation is save the coin, do what I did and buy a modern bike. It's ok... They aren't the devil.

Good luck!

[ArttuH]

I thought we have a guy here on the forums who has several fuel injected older Suzukis?

Not sure if you are talking about me but I have played a bit with fuel injection conversions for old Suzukis My own GS1100 has been fuel injected since 2004 and it has gone through several revision over the years. There are a couple of links about that one in my signature below. I have also a SV650 that is converted to EFI. Then I have done few EFI installations for others and have been more or less involved to numerous similar projects.

So yes, it's completely doable and not even extremely complicated in the end. That "GS1100 shopper thread" makes it look more difficult than it really is But it will require some learning for sure and it's always debatable if the gains are worth of effort. In my opinion it's better to take it as learning and experimenting project as already suggested here. Then it can be extremely rewarding. If you just want to get your stock bike running well with least effort then it's better to stick with carbs. Of course boosted or otherwise heavily modified engines are a case of their own. With them there are many very clear benefits that EFI can provide.

Any way, if someone wants go down this route feel free to contact me. I can probably provide some helpful tips and maybe even help with parts.

[GS1150Pilot]

The wildest mods tend to come out of Europe.

already done it but it was itb's on a clio williams. Really impressive.
I used a micro UMC ecu, which I fitted into a 3d printed nylon / kevlar little box (very light and strong), easy to communicate with, and versatile: I could add more than 20 hp on a 180hp engine!
I also used gsxr itb's and hayabusa injectors for it.
If I would restore my GS again, I would stard to make it fuel injected.

[GS1150Pilot]

I tried a dial-a-jet kit on a Kawasaki back in the 80's. Not impressed.

[TxGSrider]

For dirt bikes and quads there's some gizmos called Dial-a-jet that allows you to jet the motor on the lean side with your needle and mains and it allows extra fuel to be added to the mixture. So riding in the mountains it won't add anything and riding at sea level it adds fuel. It could be adapted to a multi cylinder motor pretty easy.
Sure would be easier than fuel injection.

[GS1150Pilot]

I think there is one guy with a turbo'd, totally insane 1100.

[wymple]

I thought we have a guy here on the forums who has several fuel injected older Suzukis?

[Deuce]

I know little about FI but Kawasaki used FI in 1980 on a KZ1000. These throttle bodies have the same spacing as on a GS I think. Many folks who own these bikes get rid of the FI as the electronics are old and they can't buy parts but the throttle bodies go up for sale regularly if you look around. The electronics? Dunno but if you think you want to do this type thing, you had best be able to fab or adapt an existing set of electronic components.

I wonder what model that was as I had a 1980 KZ1000 and it was carbureted. I did some quick research, and I guess there were some. Here's a a couple of pics.

[Dogma]

More power is at the bottom of my list why EFI is better. It is easier to tune, it adjusts automatically for atmospheric changes, it is virtually maintenance free and can offer perfect running at all throttle positions/RPM/road speeds along with improved mileage. I am not an electronics guy and am not capable of adapting an EFI system to my 1100E without a huge amount of effort so I stick with my carbs. If there was an EFI kit for the GS similar to the kits available for the small block Chev motor then I would be tempted to change out the carbs.


Mark

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject.

[GS1150Pilot]

And yet, there is a reason it hasn't become common with these old bikes. There are no such kits that work right-and which would be priced reasonably even if they existed.

[mmattockx]

Disagree. Cost of/time of building/adapting and setting up FI on a bike that was not designed for it outweighs potential gains in power for anything less than a racebike or extremely high powered custom. Carbs for the GS series are diverse, easily modified and offer 90% of the power any FI system will in such applications.

More power is at the bottom of my list why EFI is better. It is easier to tune, it adjusts automatically for atmospheric changes, it is virtually maintenance free and can offer perfect running at all throttle positions/RPM/road speeds along with improved mileage. I am not an electronics guy and am not capable of adapting an EFI system to my 1100E without a huge amount of effort so I stick with my carbs. If there was an EFI kit for the GS similar to the kits available for the small block Chev motor then I would be tempted to change out the carbs.


Mark

[Hayabuser]

I'd love to find an inexpensive "bolt on" EFI system for these old bikes... I've had five GS1100-based bikes (two Katanas, three "e" models) over the years and only two of them fueled properly. At this point, I don't really want to own another one unless it's already perfectly sorted, or has been modernized for reliability... or turbo'd.

The o/p brings up an interesting idea of using an existing FI system off of another bike which could work. The later GSXR models wouldn't be ideal since Suzuki moved the cam chain from the center of the engine to the end so the throttle body spacing would be off. The injected Bandit 1250 continued with an evolution of the old Gixxer 1100 engine which, IIRC, still had the cam chain centrally located. That would be a good place to start, if so.

Or just bolt on a turbo with a single OEM Harley-Davidson Kielin carb... no balance/sync worries with only one carb!

[GS1150Pilot]

Your thinking in such a limited way. Think of the fun of experimenting without the risk of screwing up a much more expensive bike. It's not the cost benefit as much as the experience. I've experimented with PFI for years and always get a rush the first time a new beast fires up. Then again it may just be my personality. I spent a career in electronics design. The idea of modernizing antiquated systems just seems normal.

I'm thinking in a pragmatic way, that's all. The Mikunis I have on my GS are more than adequate for the refinement in fueling it requires. I work with a guy who has a CX500 Turbo and a C-14, both of which are injected. The Honda has had all manner of electronic and FI woes over the past few years due to its age and overcomplicated nature. The Kawasaki runs flawlessly. I suppose it comes down to this: There is a purity and joy in the simplicity and straightforward nature of our old GS's. If we want to complicate that just for the hell of it, I guess that means we are pining for newer machines. I know there are lots of folks who have adapted FI to VW Beetles, too, but there's something raw and real about Dellortos or Webers on a hot 1835. Beyond which the cost of doing this, set against the minor gain, seems silly.

[Nessism]

The member GS 1000 shopper , sheesh! had a GSX1100G bike (same as mine) , I bookmarked his that thread (In past) But about the opposite type builder as myself.
"Gear-shift inicator" "bought for fairing" endless pages of stuff I'd never attempt that didn't work once I figure it out, then in the end the bike blew up WTF? After like 50 pages of bolt on electronic BS!

So I bookmark this one because I was thinking "WOW, ATLEAST I get info on Fuel pumps, COOL!"
NOPE! None of those work. So after designing a radio shack and figuring out all it's working it's all gibberish again!

Thanks for reminding me about GS1000G Shopper's EFI thread. I just bumped it back up for encouragement! I applaud his energy and commitment.

You say that such a build is BS and different from yours. You got a link to a build so we can see what kind of work you do? Can't wait for the opportunity to critique.