How to install a Howell Electronic Fuel Injection on a Jeep Wrangler 

Check out the Holley Sniper EFI Kit much better and easier to use no wiring harness to ECM to have to mount and you have a touch screen display to monitor and adjust.

Sorry for the delayed response, not sure how it slipped through the cracks... Thanks for taking the time to check it out and we're glad that you found it helpful!

Check with FI Tech first Dude.

We are glad we could provide a platform to help you in your decision. Thanks for checking our site and videos out.

Thank you for taking the time to watch it and I greatly appreciate your feedback. I started this page to simply help others find hands on information in an effort to help others find answers to the same questions I have had at times.

Don't know where my original response went but thank you for sharing your experience so others who may have the same issue can have a possible solution.

Thanks for your input, maybe others can consider the Sniper Kit as an alternative.

Cool!

First off, thanks for taking the time to watch the video and for reading the comments. Not sure if you have made your decision yet and if you have or have not done your install. I try to answer all of the questions honestly so people can make an informed choice based on my experience. Hopefully it helps in some small way. I have seen other products from different manufacturers over the past few years (after installing this unit) and the technology seems to be vastly improved in regards to the ECM's. FAST looks like a good unit and I've had friends try those and have good success. I opted for this unit at the time because it had history and was a popular upgrade at the time. It definitely saw trail use and performed well by comparison to the carb I had on it prior to this installation.

From the original source in the factory harness.

After five years and multiple other Jeep projects, I couldn't honestly tell you but if memory serves I utilized open ports in the factory fuse block. I typically try to use unused locations so new electronics don't interfere with other power needs from any existing location.

Did you check the fuel pump?

Thanks for checking the video out, hopefully you found some helpful info but it sounds like yours is already installed so you shouldn't have to do much. What you saw early on when we were talking about the "bung" that had to be welded into the exhaust was so the O2 sensor could be mounted. It was actually a three wire and had a pre-terminated plug that tied right into the new wiring harness from Howell. Hope that helps.

@@jeeplifestyles thanks. So the new 3 wire plugged into the Howell harness, not the OEM harness?

If memory serves, this was done almost 8 years ago and a dozen plus Jeep builds later so things are a lil fuzzy. 90% of the factory harness was removed at the firewall and the new components from Howell were included in the kit, the whole system was pretty much plug-n-play. I'm sure someone at Howell tech support would be happy to verify.

We sourced the air cleaner and filter all in one kit from our local Oreilly's Auto Parts store.

Do you remember the part number?

No, this was so long ago that I don’t remember if I sold it, gave it away or tossed it. Good luck on your search.

Sorry Sebastian, this was long enough ago that I do not recall.

It worked well for us for the first few years, the current owner of the Jeep has recently had some issues with it. The Jeep is still in the same location as where we did the install and review so no drastic changes in elevation or mechanical upgrades to my knowledge. There have been multiple products introduced to the market from several manufactures since this install was done. Honestly, I believe some of the newer systems have better ECM's operating them. This was a very common swap when we did the install and write up so I would highly suggest you do additional research to see what is current on the market and how the reviews may compare and stack up. When overlanding dependability can be critical to ones survival, a trail rig (which is how this was used) is much different when a trailer can be brought in to retrieve a non-running trail rig. I hope this helps you in some small way towards making a decision as to which system is the right one for your needs. Thanks for checking out our install and for your question.

+Numa Newbern So far we have only driven it a couple hundred miles, we have several Jeep projects going and this one since the conversion has been stuffed in the corner for the moment. No issues so far, it starts up and runs better than it did with the carburetor by far!

+Numa Newbern Hi Numa, we are still satisfied with it. There were some idle issues with it beforehand that we had hoped would be eliminated with the Howell upgrade. We are still experiencing a few issues from that but do not suspect they are due to the installation of the Howell EFI system.

Been 2 years, got any issues and more actual miles on it??

I was happy with it overall. It was an improvement from the Weber carburetor that I had on it, I did sell the Jeep to a friend of mine last year and it is still performing well for him.

@@jeeplifestyles Thanks for responding about the long-term performance of the fuel injection mod. My wife has a normal aspirated 1986 CJ7, and it always reminds me on why I REALLY hate carburetors! I'm going to show her this video, and I'm sure she'll want to do the swap!

@@riffraff1440 I get it, we have the same discussion at times on different projects that come and go through our shop, no doubt about it, fuel injection is the way to go! There have been some amazing advancements over the years from various companies making systems. I'd certainly recommend you look at all options and reviews from multiple manufacturers to see what might be the best fit for you for price and compatibility.

@@jeeplifestyles I hear you - loud and clear! Exploring ALL options before making the purchase.

It is up to the consumer as to which product is best suited for their needs and application, this video was created to show the process and installation of the Howell EFI on this Jeep. There are several brands out there, our position isn't to state which brand or model you should buy but instead, our experience and installation of this specific product.

Jeep Lifestyles / no I get it and it’s a killer video, no stones left unturned, and I was looking into this system until I saw the price tag compared to that of the sniper system. And I was just curious as to why they went with an obd1 based system with difficult tuning capacity vs one of the self learning systems like the sniper or Fitech

@@limabravo6065 For some it is about using a common application that has been tested and proven that they have seen personally and feel comfortable with. This (at the time) was a common install that had familiarity on the trail but not everyone had the knowledge or confidence to do the install. It was decided to go with the technology that had been seen and tested in these trail situations that worked so the install video was created, nothing more, nothing less. The self tuning technology is certainly convenient and given the chance, we would certainly utilize either of the previously mentioned systems. Again, it all boils down to what the consumer decides to going with at the time. Thanks for checking out our videos and for taking the time to comment.

Yes

The half cab and bulk head was from a CJ-8 Scrambler

It is from a CJ-8 Scrambler

There were no modifications needed nor done to the distributor.

My 89 YJ 4.2L has been in the shop for a few weeks now because of a distributor problem. The factory distributor doesn’t work with the Howell system that my mechanic has installed. I’m also told you have to upgrade to 8mm spark plug wires.

No

Check with these guys, maybe one of them can help you out or point you in the right direction... www.fs1inc.com/1991-jeep-wrangler-4-0l-pcm-engine-computer-ecm-ecu-programmed-plug-play.html Or autocomputerdoctors.com/products/1991-wrangler-yj-4-0l-replacement-engine-computer

Nope

6 Cyl. 258

Did you watch the whole video? Between 6:10 and 8:30 it shows part of it and describes the process. The supply line from the tank to the mechanical fuel pump was cut (mid-body in the frame). The mechanical pump was then removed and a block-off plate (supplied with the kit) was installed where the original fuel pump was mounted. The old fuel line from the mechanical fuel pump to where the factory steel line (mid-body in the frame), was cut away was removed. What was removed was replaced with a new fuel filter, electric fuel pump, and new fuel line. The new pump, filter, and hose are installed between where the old line was cut and the new Howell FI unit. These steps are clearly explained in the installation instructions included with the kit.

That may have been debatable in years past but in todays world of off-roading, a carburetor will not withstand the extreme vertical climbs that many trails consist of. Not to mention the headache involved with major elevation changes. It won't get you home if fuel spills over on a vertical climb and burns your rig to the ground. The days of carburation for the most part are history, much like the wood spoke wheel and the horse and buggy. That's why virtually every manufacturer utilizing the internal combustion engine from motorcycles, snowmobiles, watercraft, auto manufacturers and others have all gone to fuel injection for multiple reasons.

Ok