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Posted by: Jbuggyus Mar 22 2017, 01:43 PM

Hello, i am looking at a nice 74 914 with a 1.8 liter unfortunately it has been converted to carbs and the owner does not have the efi setup as this is how he putchased it years ago. My question is how hard is it to convert back. I assume i just need to find a used efi setup , instal , plug back in, and tune? Is there something else i should know? The purchase price would need ro reflect the amount of work needed or just look fo another car. Thanks

Posted by: timothy_nd28 Mar 22 2017, 01:46 PM

Conversion back to Ljet isn't all that difficult, a few hours and a few beers. The real question would be: does this engine have the original FI cam shaft or was it changed to a carb cam?

Posted by: Jbuggyus Mar 22 2017, 02:21 PM

Just asked the seller and he thinks the rebuild was to stock specs but does not have the paperwork. What can i expect to pay for a used L jet efi set up?

Posted by: timothy_nd28 Mar 22 2017, 04:57 PM

500.00 dollars for a used known working Ljet setup is a fair price.

Posted by: jpapatrout Mar 22 2017, 05:26 PM

Hey, jbuggyus, i have a 1974 1.8 that i am converting from f.i, to carbs. Contact me if you need my old setup.

Posted by: Jbuggyus Mar 22 2017, 06:26 PM

Thank you, i will contact you if i get this car. Im looking at it on sunday.

Posted by: struckn Mar 22 2017, 06:38 PM

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You'll need to change the fuel pumps. FI uses a 30 PSI, Carbs use a 3.5 PSI.

The Cam Change means pulling the engine and splinting the Case to get the CAM swapped out.

Also find out what you will need for ignition timing. The FI uses a CPU, where as the Carb fires using a Distributor and coil for ignition. I'm no expert but these are things you need to figure out.

Posted by: Jeff Bowlsby Mar 22 2017, 06:41 PM

What a coincidence! L-Jet requires a dizzy and coil too.

Posted by: pete000 Mar 22 2017, 06:44 PM

I like this Fi set up.

Not cheap but very complete.




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Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 22 2017, 07:32 PM

Nope! L-jet doesn't need a special dizzy, but D-jet does. It will work with the stock, mallory, etc and even a (yuck) 009 dizzy.

But struckn is correct about the pump and it has to have a stock cam. If the case hasn't been opened and it's kind of sucky on power it's likely it still has the stock cam. A known good 914 L-jet is a real nice system for a stock engine, plus in the future you can build a stock 2.0 and still use the L-jet.

Posted by: Jbuggyus Mar 22 2017, 08:18 PM

Thank you for all the tips. I have worked on a lot of VWs but not much on the way of EFI. If this car wasnt such a nice rust free car even in the color i wanted, even simi close to me I would probably pass on the car . I know on type 1 engines you can pull the oil pump and the cam number is stamped on it, is it the same on 914 (type IV engine)?

Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 22 2017, 08:26 PM

A stock cam won't have numbers, but it will have a rivet on timing gear.
Most aftermarket cams will be numbered, but not all of them.

I have an aftermarket mystery cam with a brand new gear and perfect lifters, but no clue as to the grind. One day I'll have to spec it out.