I went with efi because I was not confident in my carb tuning abilities. The cascading failure of parts took place for over two years. It all led me to be fearful of going anywhere of any distance thinking that I will end up calling a rollback, not to mention the headache of all that. I actually loved many aspects of efi [like the sophisticated readouts on the handheld]. Like 1973gs said ........ the "sensors are junk" and especially the original regulator provided with the kit [the quadrajet versions of this brand didn't have an internal regulator like my friends' efi's have]. When I would replace the sensors and injector that came with it I would think "Is this going to fail like the one that was on it?" It has been really frustrating and so many of my friends have this brand and have not had any problems with theirs [I started to think it was all me and my work]. I like the earlier comments 'What are you trying to solve with efi?" and totally identify with that. As for the fuel pump, filters, and regulator I bought the best I could find [Aeromotive] to replace the originals but have been stuck replacing sensors/injectors with something better that would fit up properly. This gives new meaning to something I remember from across my life [I am 76] and it was common in the old days - Lemons. I recall congressional action on lemon laws to address that pervasive problem among automobiles. Back in the day owners would be stuck with a new car that was all but junk. In regard to my efi problems my wife said 'there ought to be laws against that.' Ha! Thanks everyone for all the comments .........
If we're being honest, I didn't know squat about tuning a carb but was determined to use a Quadrajet for a number of reasons, knowing full well they aren't plug and play like a Holley or Edelbrock. I did a lot of reading, trial and (much) error, more reading, bugged the hell out of Rob Ross via text and now I'm confident I have a handle on it. I'm at the point now where 1 pump sets the choke, the car fires up to high idle and never misses a beat. Similar to what one would expect from fuel injection. In a couple minutes I'm cruising effortlessly, regardless of whether it's 80° or 20° here in Southeastern MA. I recently helped a local Buick guy with his '71 Stage 1. We swapped his (very inadequate) 650 Edelbrock for a fresh 800 Rob did for me a couple months back. He says it's an entirely different car and wishes he'd used a Q-Jet sooner.
depends on, WHAT you looking for ... WOT and STRIP/Street stuff= CARB 100% STREET/Strip= EFI units, my SNIPER/Hyperspark Setup on my TT 350 is much less headache than the Blowthru Carb i had before. my ACES Unit on my 455 C10 needed, adjustment, and adding of Alternator output, HEI,
Just talked with a car show guy tonite, 67 Nova SS stroked, etc. Put the sniper EFI on and says glitches are the problem. Interference from spark plug wires, etc. He wasn't happy with all the extra bs involved with the sniper system.
Another thing to take into account is: when are we (as hobbyists) driving these cars? Unless you're living in the south or way out west, we're talking April until late fall - warm weather months. I'm happy my daily driver is fuel injected on a February morning when it's 7°. Get a good running carburetor and spend the extra loot somewhere else. Just saying....
I was watching Nick's Garage the other night where he and the owner of the EFI system did a comparison - Carburetor vs. E.F.I. on Small Block Chevy on the Dyno! For all the money you spend on an EFI system you gain 8 HP. For me, I drive a street driven 455 with Stage 1 Iron heads and 8 HP is NOT worth the money. I would rather spend the money on a set of TA aluminum heads instead. Just my personal opinion. Below is a link to Nick's Garage if anybody is interested in viewing the comparison. VET
I watched most of the video. What I took away from it is McDonalds has Poutin fries Nick babbles too much, I loose interest
Fuel injection was instituted purely from an emissions standpoint, not power. I remember they used to have a damper that the carburetor throttle would hit when closing, it slowed the closing of the throttle plates after you winged the throttle, that kept the plates from closing immediately after the shot of fuel causing a super rich mixture, the plates closed slowly allowing air in also to help lean out the mixture, NOW we have drive by wire that controls that and more Remember Rochesters CCC? The mixture control solenoid on the Dual Jet and Quadrajet? It controlled the idle and cruise mixture according to what the O2 sensor was seeing, then after a certain TPS value, such as 3/4 to full throttle it would go into open loop and the Dual Jet or Q Jet would function normally. So again, fuel injection is all about controlling emissions, not power.
Another point I just thought of. Back before emission’s became a big deal, the OEM’s could give an engine the fuel it wanted to make power, then emission’s became a big deal, OEM’s leaned the carbs and did other things to comply, power went down. They realized “ Hey with fuel injection we can get most of the power back AND comply with emissions regulations by controlling when and how much fuel the engine gets” Fuel injection is a win/win for OEM’s
well , a good carb cost almost as much as a EFI nowadays. if i get a 850cfm DP 4150 from Brawler i pay 799$ a genuine Holley even more... a Blow tru Carb cost 1200$+ the Efi i run on my C10 was 849$ and has a 3 bar map sensor = ready for boost! yes i had to add the Fuel Pump and regulator... that was round 200-=250$ so we talking around 300$ on top of the EFI system the Cost point is not as crazy different anymore, and in boosted operations even equal So that POINT dont count to me anymore... Its rather "i like carbs' = get a carb!! Whatever the reason "i dont like to mess with carbs" = get EFI just be aware that "self learning" is only true to a certain level
Carbs are simpler and I run on the premise that if I break down in the styx and need to get home, I can jury rig a carb. I don't need full 12V to limp home as long as I can get it to crank, it will run. I like EFI on my daily drivers. Then, there is the tin hat scenario that if the nukes drop, my carb and points will still work where the EMP will have destroyed the EFI computer and blown the circuits in the ignition module. Maybe my radio won't work but I can still move at 12MPG. LOL
FYI HOLLEY SNIPER 2 just released https://www.holley.com/products/fue...K_oC3vm2YDk4QsLOHM3CF3xWu8RQVVeEoBjaKz.UWDnY2
These bargain FI systems are like cell phones or lap tops, they’re out dated before you leave the store.
