bought a pristine complete 1981 Imperial, may switch to carb

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adam83

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Hi everybody. I just bought a 1981 Chrysler Imperial that has an untouched factory EFI. I have not decided yet whether I want to run it with the EFI or swap out to an eddy intake, 4 barrel, new dizzy, cam, headwork, stall converter, new gears and headers/exhaust.

The efi on this imperial was never switched to the warranty carb conversion, and is complete and was running well before the older gentleman who owned it parked in his garage then passed few years ago. The wife sold it to me.

I cant make up my mind to either stay original and stick with the efi.. I know of and have access to all the information to do all the work and slight modifications to make the system more reliable, and be able to own and drive a truly unique car with that smooth constant flow efi technology... or remove it and go the hotrod route (relatively speaking). I think it would be just as unique to have a mean sounding 81 imperial that can fry tires.

The efi parts on these cars are rare, especially complete systems. If there is anyone here who is in need and wants it, it may sway my decision to go hot rod. Feel free to message me. Either way, Ill update with progress.

What do you guys think? I have found it very difficult to find these efi systems complete and intact, havent seen any on craigslist, ebay or other parts sites. So it would be pretty cool to drive something different than most other mopars. but it would also be pretty cool to get near the 300hp mark with a carb setup.
 
I've always loved that vintage of Imperial congratulations on your score! You gotta get us some pics though so we can drool. If it's in as good as you say, and runs perfect I would leave it as is until something goes wrong with it. It's very rare to have one that wasn't converted and to me would be worth more to keep it stock. As for making it sound good, just go down to your custom muffler guy in town and have some magna flows and duel exhaust put on to give it a nice burble.
Now let's see some pics!
 
If you got this car for some kind of "great deal" price, I would advise you to clean it up and flip it as-is, advertising it for a while on CL, the ImperialClub.com, here and localy at shows, etc. If no bites, try eBay.

If you got it at a premium price, say $5k and up (since these don't go much higher) then part of that was because it wasn't a backyard hot-rod project, which will kill the value for some people.

I've owned three of these cars, the first in 1992, when I was just a dumb kid and trashed the semi-working EFI for an "eddy 4bbl and a new dizzy". I ended up selling it to a hoodrat whom I'm sure destroyed it within months. The second one came around '99, and I took the time to figure out the EFM system (the Chrysler term is Electronic Fuel Management, despite the badges on the side). I sold that car to a collector at a premium. The third (2011) is in the video below, which was a factory carb conversion (meaning all the gadgets still worked). I sold that one because although it was gorgeous, it lost some of it's "personality" without the EFI.



So there you go, that's my advice. If you just want one to "hot rod", the vast majority will not have EFI. Just buy one of those in good condition. As I said, the best ones rarely get over $5k.
 
If the EFI is running good leave it alone until it's not, then if it's simple repair, if it's not carb it or take Carmine's advice and sell it to a collector who wants one untouched and find a carb one and have fun.
 
From what I have read over the years those Imperials were the closest one could get to a hand built car. Good luck & have fun with it.
 
Nice car. Keep the thing as is and drive it, original cars are only original once. Hot rods can be built from an already altered car.
 
LocuMob said:
Nice car. Keep the thing as is and drive it, original cars are only original once. Hot rods can be built from an already altered car.
Click to expand...

x2000

oh and...

this_thread_is_worthless_without_pics.gif
 
If the EFI is working, leave it alone. If not, I'd switch the carb, but I wouldn't do all of the other items you mentioned, except for maybe the distributor if it's a lean-burn. My opinion, headers, higher stall, and the rest are not for Imperials. Those '81-3 cars are sweet and low-production.

As for the carb and intake, Mopar offered the 318 in a four-barrel setup for M and J Bodies from '79-'82. Find one of those and swap it in.

Again, this is my opinion, not "the way it should be."
 
What do I think?
1) It's a J body, so you should also consult ForFMJbodiesonly as well...that gang will also provide some knowledge on the car too, although they are more into hotrodding over there, so advice will be skewed in that direction.
2) Carb conversion is fine if EFI parts are now missing from the attempted conversion and you can no longer make it work. Headers etc really incongruous on an Imperial.
3) Restore it as best you can and enjoy being the only one in the crowd!
 
If i had an 81 Imp and needed a fuel injection system....i would say take it off, sell it to me and put a carb on yours.

Since I don't have an 81 Imp....i would leave yours alone if it runs good.
 
I may have seen this car listed on C/L in the Pacific NW. If it is the same car, it was a great price, but not running. the ad said it had not run since the father of the person listing the car had tried to convert it to a carb and had been sitting for a while. It may take the new owner a while to figure out the situation! I wish him luck!
 
Yes Leave it injected! My 81 Frank is and I believe it has to be one of the few still injected and a sun roof which makes it one of the rarest Imps out there, one of about 50 built with one year only sunroof option and Frank Sinatra option! Id gladly take the complete support plate if you do carb it, but don't do it!

DSCN1954.JPG


DSCN1083 (1).JPG
 
Carmine said:
If you got this car for some kind of "great deal" price, I would advise you to clean it up and flip it as-is, advertising it for a while on CL, the ImperialClub.com, here and localy at shows, etc. If no bites, try eBay.

If you got it at a premium price, say $5k and up (since these don't go much higher) then part of that was because it wasn't a backyard hot-rod project, which will kill the value for some people.

I've owned three of these cars, the first in 1992, when I was just a dumb kid and trashed the semi-working EFI for an "eddy 4bbl and a new dizzy". I ended up selling it to a hoodrat whom I'm sure destroyed it within months. The second one came around '99, and I took the time to figure out the EFM system (the Chrysler term is Electronic Fuel Management, despite the badges on the side). I sold that car to a collector at a premium. The third (2011) is in the video below, which was a factory carb conversion (meaning all the gadgets still worked). I sold that one because although it was gorgeous, it lost some of it's "personality" without the EFI.



So there you go, that's my advice. If you just want one to "hot rod", the vast majority will not have EFI. Just buy one of those in good condition. As I said, the best ones rarely get over $5k.
Click to expand...
 
Carmine. Great video! You have talent! Never seen one with white leather, did it have blue carpet and dash? How did you adapt the 82 electronic digital radio to the 81 wiring? I tried it and it plugs right up to existing wiring but the speakers buzz in the front! thanks
 
Hi everybody, I will get some pictures soon. The car does not run as is, I got it to my house on a flatbed and as soon as this week is over I will get some pics and info up. There is no evidence that that a 'conversion' was taking place, everything appears original and in great condition, but I've never owned one of these before so I've got a lot of studying of my fsm to do. The oil is fairly clean, but who knows why, it could be the same oil from when the po was last driving it or new oil he put in to hide something. Like I said I have an 81 chrysler fsm for it, and will be going through the car to check some things out before I try to start it.
 
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