Transforming The El Camino from SMOG Nightmare to EFI dream with MSD Atomic EFI.

[@samirghanie465]

Thanks for the video! Been researching this on and off for the last few months and the information on the spread bore adaptor and carb vs Atomic TBI height was exactly what I needed! I have an '83 Recaro Trans Am with the factory CCC Quadrajet and was looking to retain the factory cowl induction air cleaner. Great work, and nice car!

[@samirghanie465]

Also, I noticed you also have a CCC Quadrajet, I see you left the original computer controlled HEI in, technically this should work once you have the base timing set right? As technically it'll be locked out with no advance adjustments right? That was one thing I'm trying to figure out. Thanks!

[@pacoimaspeed]

Thank you. It took me a long time to finally pull the trigger and replace everything. I’m very pleased on the outcome.

[@pacoimaspeed]

My distributor is a vacuum advance and not computer controlled. The computer controlled distributor will lock you out. Not sure how it will run without the feedback from the original sensors. I believe it uses the throttle position sensor to adjust timing. Not sure about that. In order to work properly you might have to go with the Atomic efi controlled distributor witch is also smog legal. If you need any other help feel free to ask. It was an experiment and it’s not done. Still have smog it next year that’s the only reason I’ve kept it looking stock. Still having a cold start issue but I’ll get it figured out. I hope. 🤞

[@samirghanie465]

​@@pacoimaspeed Thanks for the reply! Luckily I live in NY where I don't have to worry about smog. So far, I'm looking to replace my manifold with a Edlebrock Performer so I can have the square bore flange and no EGR. The only thing I'm trying to figure out, I know with the MSD you have the option to either have the unit control the timing with the associated accessories. But I've also seen that the unit can run with the stock HEI. Being that you have a vac advance HEI, is yours disconnected? What do you have the timing set to? I know with my computer controlled HEI, once I remove the computer, the timing would be locked to whatever the base timing is set to. I'm just assembling a parts list and debating whether to go with the MSD StreetFire HEI or wait use my stock distributor and see if I decide to go with the timing control on the MSD. Thank you!

[@rudyromero9667]

@@samirghanie465. Lucky you. Not having to deal with smog opens up a lot of options. Not sure a put the computer controlled HEI but if others are running it I’m sure it will work. I have my distributor connected to manifold vacuum from the atomic and it works like normal. Timing is set at 10 now but I have been messing with it trying to get better performance out of it. Its a cruiser so haven’t really changed much since everything runs well. If you don’t have to worry about smog you can go to a vacuum advance distributor and ditch the computer controlled HEI. You have a lot of options, you could get a distributor from a swap meet and see how you like it. I do that often so I’m not spending so much money on parts. Good luck.

[@DanielRamirez-dw1yw]

I noticed MSD offers in this atomic kit also with a single 02 sensor. Looks like your El Camino didn’t need it?

[@pacoimaspeed]

The El Camino has an oxygen sensor but it will not work with the Atomic EFI. I installed the Atomic oxygen sensor in the original spot in the manifold near the secondary air tube but later moved it to the middle of the y-pipe under the car.

[@deandee8082]

fantastic mod, anytime you can go either throttle body, or multi port its a bonus, not so sure about direct port, gets very dirty cleaning every 25k but multi port or TB . . way mo better than carbs when you're dealing with ethanol gas anymore ... ICK

[@pacoimaspeed]

So far it is running great. Having a cold start issue but the overall performance is awesome. Really brought back all the power from the V8 and the idle is very smooth.