renix to ho conversion?

[bgwyllys61]

this may have already been covered b4, but im gonna ask anyway...im wonderin if the head and intake and exhaust from a 97 h.o. will bolt on to a 87 renix motor.....reason im asking, is, i have this stuff layin around and was wondering if i could use any of it on mine.....anyone have suggestions, or is this possible?

 

[5-90]

Not really.

In the first place, the first-gen HO head (#7120) raised the intake port locations to give them a straighter shot for filling the cylinder (that's why later heads breathe better,) and the port mismatch would be prohibitive. I'm sure it can be adapted, but I've not got any information on how.

Secondly, the throttle body is different - and the TPS is different, at least. You could probably adapt that as well, but there are those here who would have more information than I do.

The exhaust manifold is virtually the same - except for the later version lacking the EGR port (the EGR system was deleted in 1991, when ChryCo changed the head/intake/Tbody, and eliminated the RENIX in favour of their SBEC. A step backwards, y'ask me...)

Short answer - can it be done? I'm sure it can. The question that follows - how much effort are you willing to put into it? It would be easier to get a later head and bolt it on, and adapt the RENIX tbody to fit the HO manifold (which I'm considering designing an adapter for...)

5-90

 

[bgwyllys61]

ok, sounds like more effort than im willing to put forth at this moment in time, but what about the injectors and is there an adapter to use the ho tb?

i guess what im trying to figure out is which parts will swap easily to the renix and have some benifit in power and economy.....

 

[5-90]

Injectors - should be the same. The only reason to put the later injectors in would be because yours are starting to leak, are leaking, or aren't leaking and haven't been replaced yet (RENIX injectors are known for leaking...)

Throttle body? I haven't designed an adapter yet - I don't know if anyone else has. There's not much reason to change throttle bodies - there's no reason to support more airflow unless you're going to increase displacement (viz. stroker engine) or are going to run at higher RPM (which the 242 head may or may not do well at, when flowing air that quickly.)

5-90

 

[bgwyllys61]

ok, so basically you are saying to leave it alone untill i decide to build a stroker...lol...which i do intend to do at some point, just not sure when...

 

[5-90]

If you haven't had injector leaks yet, I'd say to do two things:

1) Count yourself fortunate. It's coming, if you've got original injectors (metal/plastic body, crimped together.)

2) Go ahead and change them, and throw the old ones away. The later injectors are also 19-20# units, and the RENIX ECU will adapt. You shouldn't lose any mileage or power - and you won't have to worry about springing a leak anymore.

Either way, you won't want to use the 1997 injectors with a stroker - use Ford or Chevvy units, rated to deliver 23-24#/hour. You'll also want a MAP adjuster to "fine-tune" your AFR as well - but you can build one of those if you're handy with a soldering iron.

5-90

 

[thecozmo65]

Hesco actually just came out with an adapter for a HO TB on a RENIX intake. It looks like it uses the bracketry for the cables that run across the valve cover. http://www.hescosc.com/shop.asp?action=details&inventoryID=44604&catId=7539

 

[bgwyllys61]

thanks for the info guys, i guess im just gonna have to figure out what i want to do for sure, and then go from there....

 

[CW]

I did this on my stroker. I run an '87 block with a '94 HO head, and a 2001 intake manifold, and a '94 exhaust manifold. Using the HO TB is the best way to go and adapting the TPS is not hard and it takes about an hour to get it made and adjusted correctly. You will need a fuel rail from an HO and the HO fuel presure regulator. Make sure you run HO spark plugs also as the reach is way different on the two plug types. You will also need the power steering bracket from the HO vehicle. If you have all the parts ready it's a fairly easy swap and its 95% bolt on. If it's the small port HO head with cast exhaust manifolds then you will have some porting to do to maximize the benefits.

 

[5-90]

Write-up, please?

5-90

 

[CW]

I'll get to work on a write up, I can probably have it done by the middle of next week. I'll post it on our tech section.

 

[bgwyllys61]

yes write up please...this is exactly what i had in mind when i posted this....i should have everything you mentioned as im getting my dads old motor from his 97 country.....had a bad wrist pin and he found a 30k motor for 500 bucks, so i asked him if i could have the old one....so yes i should have all the parts mentioned......

 

[75SV1]

Look here for wiring:
http://www.rockmodified.com/2003/april/TB/tb_perf.htm
Tom

 

[bgwyllys61]

thank you very much