EFI?

[fireguyfire]

I am strongly considering dropping EFI into my 73 challenger (which has a 1970 challenger 383 engine in it).
Been doing some digging and I know I want a programmable throttle body style EFI, and I've had strong recommendations to get one that comes with a fuel pump and distributor as well.
If anyone out there is running EFI, or has researched it can anyone recommend makes and models of EFI systems?
Feel free to share your opinions on the switch as well please!



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[CudaMoparRay]

Subscribing to this thread to also find what answers are thanks 

[1 Wild R/T]

I'm running a FiTech system on my 70 383 Challenger... Yes there's much higher tech whizz bang stuff out there, I know a local guy thats on his fourth high end EFI system, none has ever been sorted out & optimized... He throws in the towel & shovels more money at it... My FiTech had it's issues, (a intermittently bad map sensor, which unfortunately is part of the main board on this system so FiTech sent me a new unit at no cost)  I sorted it out & it's been flawless for going on three years....

I have the 600HP Go-EFI system, I run a Tanks Inc tank with a Walbro in-tank pump...

If you have more questions I'm always willing to help..

Thing I like best, the car sits for a month, I reach in & hit the key it'll start right up & sit there and idle....  It runs great at sea level where I live & it runs good at 9000 ft crossing Carson pass...

It has limited ability to control timing, enough for a typical naturally aspirated engine, FiTech sells systems for boosted & nitrous applications, I don't need that...   Fact is I'm not running their spark control, I have a well sorted distributor & don't feel the need to change that...

[303 Mopar]

I run a Holley Sniper on the 505 stroker in my '68 Charger and love it. Starting in any condition and the instant throttle response is well worth it. Can you tune a carb to run just as good, possibly if you are really good.  Gerald (@cudakat) owns a shop and they are doing more and more EFI systems and have learned a lot from their experiences.  Here is what I can tell you as well as my advice:
- all EFI systems, just like carbs, are capable of running great and can cause issues especially if you don't know what you are doing
- I have seen more issues with FiTech systems than Snipers which is why I went with the Sniper
- absolutely get an in-tank pump, and I would highly recommend buying everything (EFI throttle body, tank, pump, distributor, etc) from one vendor (for example Holley)
- go all in and get the hyperspark distributor to allow electronic timing control, as there is a performance difference
- a novice can correctly install the system IF you strictly follow the instructions and take your time. It is not a simple 1 hour plug-n-play system. There are also a bunch of helpful websites and facebook pages out there.
- the vast majority of issues are due to incorrect installation, so if you're in doubt take it to a shop that has experience
- after the initial install, drive around for a while (a total of a couple hundred miles) to allow the system to learn (no learning occurs while the car is cold, under 160 I think). If everything is working well, you are set. If you want to dial in your system even better, take it to a shop that can program it on a laptop while they ride along with you are run it on a dyno.

[RUNCHARGER]

I installed a dual TB Fitech and it worked okay but we had a problem and had to send it back. They happily repaired and it has worked fine since. My son has a Holley Sniper on his 4WD and it works great and an MSD on his Cobra and it works great as well.
I would get a tank and pump from Tanks Inc as well, forget the Fitech control thing that sits in front.
I think you will be happy with any of the 3 popular ones. I know I would only consider a carburator on a truly restored car. Yes you want to run your timing through the EFI controller to optimize fuel mileage.

[1 Wild R/T]

My previous experience with Holley on an EFI system means they will never see another dime of my money....  Not to mention until FiTech released their systems there was about ZERO chance Holley would have sold one of their systems for the price they are now forced to...

For those who haven't read my previous experience which was back around 1997...

HOLLEY   PROJECTION


I ran a Holley Projection DFI system, it ran great....Sometimes...It had no memory capabilities, so the only way to find a problem was to be watching the laptop when it screwed up...If it were a hard fault, no problem, but intermittent problems weren't so easy...The first time I fired it up it had a failed injector...replaced TB assy under warranty...Next a intermittent air charge sensor, it was quicker to just buy one, only $50.00, running pretty good, took a road trip to LA, lost a MAP sensor about 15 miles from home, luckily it made the other 600 or so miles...Running good again, drove it most of the summer, not as consistent as the carter carb but way cooler to be able to pop the hood & say "Yeah its Injected"... :laugh: Another road trip, Sacramento, on the way there I start getting a surge, about 40 miles from home the surge starts feeling worse, I pull off the freeway & the car dies...Call AAA & tow it home...Lost a fuel pump, leaned out & cracked a manifold...As it turns out the exhaust wound up fighting me for three years after that till I got both the warpt flanges & the other manifold replaced as well...You know the carter runs really consistent  :laugh: I think FI is a good thing, I just feel Holley did a cheap half-a$$ job of it & used the cheapest components that the bean-counter in charge of purchasing could find...


I'm not saying their new system has anything wrong with it, other than the company behind it...

When I bought the Holley Projection system there were big three & four page articles in Hot Rod, Car Craft & a few other major magazines all raving about how great the new Holley Projection system was...

One thing I learned was advertising $$$ will get just about any false product claim printed... Tech writers gave up on integrity & will sell any steaming turd if they get paid enough...


I dropped over 5K putting that system together if you count the fact prior to buying the system I didn't own a computer & I needed one to tune the system... Granted I used the computer for other things but that was what finally got me to spend the $$ for one...

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I have installed a FiTech on a Lil Red Express and the results have been very good overall.

The software and interface is very clunky, their support and quality control is not historically very good either. That said, the truck does run quite well, but the FiTech is like a kids toy compared to the sequential injection I have on the 'Cuda, my EFI experience level may be a tad higher than the average FiTech user.

With that in mind I do follow both FiTech and Holley Sniper facebook groups to monitor common complaints, issues and resolutions. I would like to buy a Holley Sniper kit for my Warlock within the coming year.


I would strongly suggest going with an in-tank pump. I would never install an external electric pump on EFI, and definitely not a surge tank style that feeds off of the factory mechanical pump.

[Katfish]

No complaints with my FiTech, been on car 2 yrs now.
Spectra has gas tanks with in-tanks pumps that are direct fit.
Check RockAuto for best prices.

[7212Mopar]

This is my limited experience with about 500 miles with the system. FiTech 600hp version with MSD ignition and locked distributor. FiTech controlling timing. Easy start every time I turned the key. It idles good at about 875 RPM on a long duration cam with 8" vacuum. Handheld power pin is poorly design. Injector leaks when the screws on the body comes loose from vibration. I am using their Fuel Commander 2 system that nows returns back to the tank. I went this route because I installed a new SS tank before swapping the carb to FiTech. An in tank pump setup is cleaner.

[1 Wild R/T]

The software and interface is very clunky, their support and quality control is not historically very good either.Can't disagree with any of that... But at the end of the day as you said the truck runs well, and honestly results are what truly counts... That said, the truck does run quite well, but the FiTech is like a kids toy compared to the sequential injection I have on the 'Cuda, my EFI experience level may be a tad higher than the average FiTech user.
Very true, the FiTech is a kids toy compared to your Cuda.. But how much of what you have on your Cuda do you need in order to make the engine run well?   I made my living working on Fords, started when EECIII was the best tech out there... And it was miles ahead of carbs, especially the old variable venturi that was on most Fords prior to EECIII... I continued with Ford through OBD-2 so I have enough knowledge to build & tune pretty much anything, I just don't see it as needed for what most of us playing with these cars are doing...


With that in mind I do follow both FiTech and Holley Sniper facebook groups to monitor common complaints, issues and resolutions. I would like to buy a Holley Sniper kit for my Warlock within the coming year.


I would strongly suggest going with an in-tank pump. I would never install an external electric pump on EFI, and definitely not a surge tank style that feeds off of the factory mechanical pump.  Back in the day many manufacturers installed frame mounted pumps, but most used an in tank lift pump to feed the frame mounted high pressure pump... But yeah, I agree an in tank pump is the right approach

[Chryco Psycho]

There are 2 types of EFI
- Throttle body with a wet intake
- multi port with a dry intake
in the mid 80s a most of the car companies went to Throttle body , by the late 80s most had upgraded to Multiport , both respond better than a carb but you can still get fuel falling out of the airstream with throttle body . Multiport puts the fuel right behind the hot intake valve .
In the aftermarket Throttle Body is available for about $1000-1200 & is in line with Carb prices , Multiport will run $4000.
There is a company in Calgary [SDSEFI] that can build & help you tune a multiport system if that interests you