I'm considering buying a 1987 gl wagon with the 1.8, 5 speed, but I haven't seen under the hood. Are all 1.8's carbureted or TBI?

My 87 is carbed.  Runs awesome though.  Cheers!

I'm not hating on carb's I'd just prefer TBI and I thought they were changing over in '87, the car is in Kallispell, MT and I'm in Idaho, won't know for sure till tomorrow. I was just wondering when they changed over to Fuel injected.

Some 87 4wds seemed to end up with carbs. All that Ive seen were SPFI. If its 2wd it should be FI, but there is the possiblity its been converted. So, only way to really know is ask for pix, or go look. Im with you, if I can get the choice of carb or FI, Ide always choose FI. Unfortunately these cars are getting a bit rare. Having the liberty of choice is not such a reality any more, and one may have to take what they can get.

Thanks ihscout54 and ford'ssubaru's, I appreciate the input.

Had 2 of these( 86 and 88). Both  5MT D/R

 

The best one was the 86,  no A/C  no power steering (manual choke Carb.  / Breakerless electronic distributor ignition. 

Its probably the best car I've ever owned for its simplicity, reliability cost to run / ease to repair.

 

Never liked the 88 as much never felt as good to drive as the 86.

 

1 power steering felt disconnected, too much assistance. no feel.

 

2 auto choke on carb not as good on cold (winter starts) as fast idle on warm up not as good /not variably adjustable with a manual choke cable sliding control /  knob.

 

3 also found that carburettors  start up to twice as  fast, ie  less cranking required, from cold especially in winter ( if kick down accelerator 2x before cranking - to spray extra fuel into throttle body) and set manual choke correctly 1st,

 

Compared to the fuel injected car that I have now which takes twice as long to fire up from cold/warm.  (NOT  a fan of electronics deciding / waiting what to do)

 

Eg  My old 87  caburettored manual choke Brumby (Brat) can sit up to 6 months out side (carport) without running sometimes.

and will still start in 3 to 4 seconds (stale fuel included)  admittedly I've pumped the accelerator 3 to 4 times 1st.before cranking

 

Feel so ashamed sometimes of that neglect    but  usually gets a good run then.

Edited August 6, 201510 yr by subnz

Thanks for the input Subnz!