after reading all the info i have come across so far im tempted to go back to my 600 edelbrock, being that i have never done this before im tepmted to bolt it back on and sell all of my efi stuff. i mean i would hate to go through all the trouble for a few mpg's and it not run the way i expect it too. Somtimes i feal that if i can get it running and not have to keep buying parts for it i can afford to put gas in it when it comes to life lol. My original set up is 600 edelbrock on a near stock 302 with 2.79 in the rear and electronic ignition, this vs efi setup. Im wondering if it's really worth the trouble. any oppinions are welcome, the more the better
I'd stick with the EFI, your almost there. But i guess it also depends on your level of comfort with wiring. I find it kind of fun.
well i had the majority of the stuff already, i bought throttle body 50$, feul rail and injectors 75$ thats all i purchased so far, im going to have to take a trip to va to find a donner stang for wire harness and computer
a factory mass air system will never give you that crisp response. a speed density that is tuned correctly will. now the primary concern here is fuel economy and reliability. the mass air system will give you the best fuel economy and if all the parts are new it will be very reliable. it will also drive allot better that the eldebrock will. i would finish the efi conversion. im currently compiling the parts to do an efi conversion and cant wait. im going to use the megasquirt set up that plugs into the mustang wiring harness.
All you've got so far is the easy stuff. Still need to plumb in a fuel pump and run the return fuel line, weld in O2 sensor bungs and get sensors, get a mass air meter and wiring for it, TFI distributor/module/wiring, and some other small stuff i'm sure I'm missing. Sure the EFI systems adds some driveability and a few MPGs. But you can make just as much power cheaper with a carb and once its tuned properly can get close to the MPG. It's also easier to upgrade and make more power later with a carb. On EFI you have to upgrade the whole system. Change cam, manifold, injectors, throttle body, and ECU tune. I loved driving my 5.0 stangs and were fun to upgrade but it already had the EFI to start with so it wasn't as hard to do. But starting with all stock stuff on an EFI swap will only lead to replacing it all later when you want to add more power. I guess it all depends on what you end result goal is to decide if its worth the work and money to do it.
I understand your frustration. The carb will work if you get it tuned right and use an electronic ignition. I think either way, you need to run at least 9.0:1 compression (HO) and the EFI system to realize a significant gain in MPG's. It is possible to get about 20mpg with a carb, but you have to really know what you're doing there too. If you check out the book that I mentioned, most of the EFI uncertainty should disappear. It really gives good info. Either system will run well, but either system will have to be in top condition to get decent fuel economy. That includes your engine itself. I have experienced the speed density system being much more responsive than MAF, but like bryant said, MAF will be better on fuel economy unless your engine is bone stock.
maybe it would be a good idea to try the carb set-up first before i buy anything else for EFI so far i havnt sunk too much money into EFI parts
If your real comfortable working on that old EFI system then go for it. Personally I prefer my nice simple,well set up carb. It has that instant throttle bark that EFI lacks. Speed density is crisper like Brant said but its still not the same. I am slightly biased though since I spend most days at work scratching my head over problem cars loaded with more electronics than the damn space shuttle. EFI has its place and is necessary but its not on my Maverick. The more I am forced to drive the new cars with so called innovations like drive by wire (talk about poor response) the more I like my old Holley. LOL. I've watched EFI progress since I started at the dealer in 1991. ITs come a long way but I still say a well set up carb is more responsive. Actually some of the old EFI sytems are a lot more responsive than the new systems. Keep in mind my Mav is a fun car and fuel mileage doesnt enter the equation for me. Like I've said before my Mav is my escape from electronic over kill I face everyday at the dealer. I really dont think its worth the EFI install of that old system for a bit of fuel mileage. You would have to put an awful lot of miles on the car to save enough fuel to offset the install costs including your time. If you want to do the EFI more as a project than driveability upgrade then I say go for it in that case. Otherwise stick with a simple carb set up and keep the EFI and electronics where they belong on our everyday modern drivers. Not to offend anyone installing EFI. I guess some guys see EFI as an accomplishment/project. Thats cool with me. I fully understand and support that. I'm the opposite. Setting up an old Holley just right makes me all warm inside.
yes, nothing better than a good carburetor. IF YOur´e worried about mileage, get a motorcraft 2 barrel carb with small jets.
I'm not offended at all. The only reason I did EFI was driveability(long term) and fuel economy. EFI isn't for everyone, the great thing about these cars and their owners is that no 2 are alike. You can look at Mustangs all day long and you'll see several that look like twins. I say do what you're comfortable with. I did mine to try something new and maybe learn a little in the process. I didn't hardly open the hood for 20K miles and I just put in the 1st set of plugs since the conversion at 40K. Mine is a daily driver tho and I don't have time to work on it that often. You could always put the carb on for a little while and collect parts for a future EFI project and if you decide not to do it, sell it all later. I bet you'll get your money back out of it, especially if it is mostly complete.
Cool!!! Your right. The diversity with these cars is amazing. So many differences all based on the same grocery getter. EFI makes sense for the right person. Sounds like your install worked out great. My MAv is my little time machine.
i decided to run my 2v since i gave my 4v to my mom, just until i can save up enough for a plung-n-play wire harness . there are other things i need to do to it before spring break so i can run it and have some fun. i think it would be cool to shock pepole with the EFI under the hood
