Originally Posted by AcIdBuRn

They actually make digital throttle control to convert old mech. governor generators over to electronic. Uses a basic magnetic pickup, control box, and actuator to control the throttle. Response time is very impressive and would likely work great on a 616/617.

The kits aren't that cheap.. but not terrible either.

You could likely also have the pump governor setup to run at 1800rpm under full load and just let the governor do the work. Not sure what a pump shop would charge to do that though.