Howell vs Mopar

[airforcesoldier]

I have an 89 YJ that has horrible problems starting. I have read everywhere that FI will take care of it. So is the extra 1000$ worth it to have the Mopar? I am leaning towards no. But i do plan on lifting the jeep and putting 18 inch wheels with possibly 35's. So if i beat it up off road I wonder if it will get me out of a ditch. I do not see myself making the money back in gas mileage over a few years. I am pretty sure it's only a couple MPG's difference if any.






~ We haul ours to save yours...~ deployed trans

[crazy4ink]

Damien, the guy that went into business with me, has been running the Howell kit for over 6 years. Zero issues and believe me, he flogs his Jeep like it was stolen. IMO, I would go with the Howell kit and save the extra that the Mopar kit will cost you.

Also, an upgrade that you should VERY seriously consider is going to a DUI ignition. Damien did his '89 YJ and after installing that; his starting, idle and drivability went upwards exponentially (sp?). He said that other than switching to fuel injection, going to a DUI distributor was the best mod he's ever made.

[devildog4x4]

I decided to go with Howell in my 86 rebuild as I have found out that the parts are basic GM pieces available at most auto parts stores. Mopar parts are not readily available everywhere. Besides - what you pay for Mopar you could almost buy two Howell units. I am also upgrading my ignition.

[USMCredneck]

Also before you drop a grand on the Howell kit check out the junkyard TBI.

http://www.bustedjeep.com/projects/junkyardtbi.asp

A lot cheaper (only ~$300) than the Howell kit with basically the same components. I'll be doing this to mine in the next few months.

Semper Fi

[miljeep]

Also before you drop a grand on the Howell kit check out the junkyard TBI.

http://www.bustedjeep.com/projects/junkyardtbi.asp

A lot cheaper (only ~$300) than the Howell kit with basically the same components. I'll be doing this to mine in the next few months.

Semper Fi

Cool link.

[devildog4x4]

Also before you drop a grand on the Howell kit check out the junkyard TBI.

http://www.bustedjeep.com/projects/junkyardtbi.asp

A lot cheaper (only ~$300) than the Howell kit with basically the same components. I'll be doing this to mine in the next few months.

Semper Fi

Great link & awesome write up with pics. Junk yards here suck - I checked the two closes to me & because I want the computer they both quoted me a min. of $500. Total would depend on what I all took. Hmmm... I know there are cheaper if I go further away. Matter of taking the time to find, call and visit. I've been watching cl for a cheap pos gm that will work - no luck so far (7 mos). Thanks for link USMCredneck!

[USMCredneck]

Ouch. Keep an eye on ebay too. Might get lucky there.

The problem I am having is none of the yards around here keep an inventory of what they have so you never know what they're gonna have when you go.

Another option might be to pull the MPI off an older jeep 4.0L and bolt it on yours.

Good luck

[devildog4x4]

Ouch. Keep an eye on ebay too. Might get lucky there.

The problem I am having is none of the yards around here keep an inventory of what they have so you never know what they're gonna have when you go.

Another option might be to pull the MPI off an older jeep 4.0L and bolt it on yours.

Good luck

Thanks. I was told it was more work and problematic to use the 4.0 setup on a 4.2 but have not seriously checked it out or looked directly at them personally. Food for thought though. Thanks again.

[XTRM-TJ]

Good write up need more like this

[USMCredneck]

I think the trouble arises when you try to adapt the 4.0 parts to fit on the 4.2 head. You can swap the whole 4.0L head over onto your 4.2 and it's supposed to net you an extra 40hp or so and the MPI will be a direct bolt on. I can't find the link right now, but I'll dig around and see if I can find it.