Omni America 2.2 carbed

[confish86]

A buddy of mine has an 87 Omni America 96 hp carbed model, & was woundering what carb is allowed to run on this engine (in itb). And do you need to adapt it onto the manifold ?? In the itcs it list the omni with the 2.2 but no carb listed & in 88 it went to fuel injection (93hp) & itcs doesn`t list that either ?? Just says Dodge omni 2.2 1980-1990 . Whats up with that ??? Now is it worth running the 88 fi model with 3 less HP than the 96 hp carbed model.

Thanks.

[Knestis]

There's a clause hiding somewhere in the ITCS that explains that carb'd cars (maybe not all?) are allowed to run an aftermarket Weber (32/36, if I remember correctly). The specifications for some of the listed cars are not entirely complete but you can help the IT Ad Hoc Committee (the ITAC) by providing your expertise and documentation to correct errors.

Address email describing the changes/corrections you think need to be made, with associated documents, to the SCCA club racing board and they will forward IT requests to us.

Kirk

[Matt Rowe]

Kirk is correct, the ITCS does contain a rule that would allow you to run a Weber 32/36 on the car. However, considering the challenges of getting the Weber setup properly on the 2.2, the inherent shortfalls of carbs vs FI in the current IT environment and the relative ease of dropping in a 1988 FI motor I would recommend the engine swap. Because all of the 1980-1990 omnis are listed on the same line you are allowed to update/backdate assemblies as desired, provided you update the complete assembly. In this case you would need the engine/wiring/computer as an assembly.

As a comparison, I put a Weber on my 2.2 Charger motor which required a custom adaptor plate, quite a bit of tuning and modification to the standard "race" Weber 32/36 settings and it still can not match the smooth consistent operation of a FI motor.

[joeg]

Perhaps a 34 DMTR Webber would be a better choice...

[confish86]

Kirk is correct, the ITCS does contain a rule that would allow you to run a Weber 32/36 on the car. However, considering the challenges of getting the Weber setup properly on the 2.2, the inherent shortfalls of carbs vs FI in the current IT environment and the relative ease of dropping in a 1988 FI motor I would recommend the engine swap. Because all of the 1980-1990 omnis are listed on the same line you are allowed to update/backdate assemblies as desired, provided you update the complete assembly. In this case you would need the engine/wiring/computer as an assembly.

As a comparison, I put a Weber on my 2.2 Charger motor which required a custom adaptor plate, quite a bit of tuning and modification to the standard "race" Weber 32/36 settings and it still can not match the smooth consistent operation of a FI motor.

Thanks too you both!!

I figured by just having a tbi , the carbed version would make more HP when tuned & i see what you mean about making an adaptor to fit the webber on the car. (chrysler goofed on that one). The hard part is finding someone to tune the stock computer. SCCA says (The engine management computer may be altered or
replaced.) Replaced with an aftermarket unit that can be programed (like a MegaSquirt system), or with an OEM performance computer

[cjb25hs]

Thanks too you both!!

The hard part is finding someone to tune the stock computer. SCCA says (The engine management computer may be altered or
replaced.) Replaced with an aftermarket unit that can be programed (like a MegaSquirt system), or with an OEM performance computer

With the Omni the best bet would be to do the FI motor with a MegaSquirt!

[Matt Rowe]

There are a couple people out there with experience in "tweaking" the Dodge computers from that era, but I don't think anyone worked on the TBI programs. I would recommend the megasquirt option also. There should be a lot more support on the installation and you can do you own tuning without having to work through someone to have the computer reflashed.

[confish86]

There are a couple people out there with experience in "tweaking" the Dodge computers from that era, but I don't think anyone worked on the TBI programs. I would recommend the megasquirt option also. There should be a lot more support on the installation and you can do you own tuning without having to work through someone to have the computer reflashed.

Thanks !!

Another question is on the EEC computer for the carb models. Since computers are pretty much free to do what you want, can the Shelby EEC computer be used on the 4dr Omni or use one of Mopars HP units on said vehicle & will the stock Omni 2.2 benefit from using it . (Mopar book says 4%-5% gain in HP). By the way Matt , did you ever run with EMRA with that Shelby Charger (only because i remember years ago someone ran one in i think ST3 - or ST4 (didn`t run against it as i was in big bore with (ahem) a Mustang)

[confish86]

I was looking thru some pics of the 06 ARRC & noticed Mike Glassburner`s black ITB 4dr Omni. I`m guessing the car & driver must be pretty good to show up at the ARRC. I wonder if he`s running & carb or tbi & wonder if it can run up against the Golfs ?? Also where does one get a good race suspension for the older FWD Chryslers. (like struts & shocks) I know years ago there were Koni reds out there but didn`t see race yellows or Bilstiens for that matter. I know on most FWD cars you run like 375lb`s on the front but up to 1000lb`s in the rear (but with out good shocks :026

Thanks

[Matt Rowe]

The route I went was Koni's sent in and converted to double adjustable. At that point they are basically 8611's. My preference in spring rates were higher for the front (650) and lower (400) for the rear. Your preference may differ, but remember to keep in mind the details of spring installation when making a comparison. The rear springs on the omni sit on the shock and act almost directly at the wheel. If you are comparing to a setup with a different lever arm distance it makes a big difference in the effective wheel rate.

[confish86]

Thanks for the info, as yes i was thinking of a different setup (older escort) but it had seperate control arms in the rear & not like the Omni. I know the L body has the I-beam that goes across the rear (kind of like the Rabbit`s) & i`m sure chrysler looked long & hard at the origanal rabbit & figured the 4dr Omni-horizon would hold it`s own against it.

[m glassburner]

I havn't been here in a while......A ex (chrysler llc) engineer friend of mine told me that the throttle plate that you have to use on the fi model will flow less air compared to the 32/36( which I have 2 of for sale , set up already) they aren't really that hard to set up. As far as the suspension goes we were running a double adj. shock and 500# in the front and 800# ...I like a loose car.....a 1" bar in the rear and a hollow 7/8" in the front....this took me about 4 years to get this way....the fastest lap I ever ran at Road Atlanta was a 1:48.6....and yes at that time 2003? it would keep up w/ the golfs....:cool:

[rlward]

Havn't been on the site in a long time....frustrated. A 32/36 DFAG will bolt right on and use the stock carb mount and linkage. you can find power if you can get enough air to it.

Does anyone know of a source for lighter 15 x 6 wheels 5 x100?