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440 Build using EFI

'68 Coronet R/T

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When I built the 440 for my signature car I used 915 closed chamber heads with hardened seats and oversized valves.
The motor was built by a local builder who recommended a higher compression ratio due to our elevation (4400 ft.) Dual plane manifold, 870 Holley, 284/284 purple camshaft, flat top pistons, 11.1 compression, .039" quench, etc.

I never could get it tuned right. I knew the engine had a lot more to give but just didn't have the ability to draw it out.

My new project is a '68 Plymouth GTX. It is a non-numbers matching car that came with a '69 motor that looks pretty much stock.

I would like to build this motor using EFI but maintaining a fairly stock look. Having never done anything like this my first thought is to use a throttle body.

I want this baby to perform but it will not be a car for the race track but rather for cruising and car shows.

My question is how would this effect my engine build strategy?

Should I build my motor and then choose a throttle body or vice versa?

Is a dual plane intake better for EFI motors?

Other than O2 sensors in the exhaust what sensors should I be considering?

Can someone point me to a quality supplier for the EFI components?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
At their current price point I would go with the proflow 4 mpfi kits from edelbrock. Complete kits for under 2k. The major benefit of mpfi especially in a cruiser will be a vast improvement in MPG and engine longevity.
 
At their current price point I would go with the proflow 4 mpfi kits from edelbrock. Complete kits for under 2k. The major benefit of mpfi especially in a cruiser will be a vast improvement in MPG and engine longevity.
Thanks, I will check them out.
 
One thing I can tell you is you will have trouble tuning with a dual plane intake and any throttle body setup. Not to say it won't work just not as good as a single plane and from a manufacturers perspective not recommend. If going MPI then this should be less of an issue. I use FAST Spotsman XFI and I love it!!
 
If you go with the dual plane intake make sure it has the lowered center divider. The Holley and FiTec efi setup almost won't work with the full divider. Assuming that's what you go with.
 
If you go with the dual plane intake make sure it has the lowered center divider. The Holley and FiTec efi setup almost won't work with the full divider. Assuming that's what you go with.
Can you elaborate on this? Thanks

I ran a EZ EFI with a dual plane and full divider and had no trouble but I have an FITECH on an LS with a dual plane full divider(which they say is fine) and has starting issues. I am beginning to wonder if it is the intake?
 
I have heard the Fitech does like the open plenum of a single plane. You could just fit a spacer between the throttle body and the manifold and see if problem goes.
 
Engine masters had all types of issues with a small block Chevy and a dual plane with Holley sniper. They fought it most of the episode and finally figured out it didn’t like the dual plane divider, Look it up on YouTube, lots of info.
 
I haven't purchased anything yet for building this motor. It will be after I get the body, paint, suspension and interior done. However I want to get my build plan together so I can start looking for sales on the components and pick them up one at a time as money allows.

The link to the Edelbrock systems looks very enticing.
 
When Mopar Engines West went through the 440 ten years ago, there was no hint oF EFI. Used an 850 Demon. The marriage of the Pro Flo 4 to the old school is amazing. Drove it today during brutal 49 degree weather. Had been setting a week. Fired right up, idled about 1100 briefly, then settled to a happy 750 ish. SO easy to drive when cold etc. No going back.
 
Drove it today during brutal 49 degree weather.
49 degrees is not brutal, it's 18 here right now.
Actually big blocks like it colder, mine runs best around 55 and damp.
Even when I had a carb (Carter Competition Series 625 elecrtric choke) mine ran pretty well in the cold, the choke just needs to be set up properly.
I do agree EFI is better, I have MSD Atomic on it. But I'm pretty sure some of the newer releases like the Sniper would be better.
 
If you go with the dual plane intake make sure it has the lowered center divider. The Holley and FiTec efi setup almost won't work with the full divider. Assuming that's what you go with.
I run a fitech on my truck 440 regular old Edelbrock Performer dual plane unmodified has no issues runs so good. no tuning issues and you don't even have to crank the car over to fire it up just barely touch the key
 
Can you elaborate on this? Thanks

I ran a EZ EFI with a dual plane and full divider and had no trouble but I have an FITECH on an LS with a dual plane full divider(which they say is fine) and has starting issues. I am beginning to wonder if it is the intake?

I have read that because the way the injectors are placed in the throttle body it won't feed both sides equally unless there is a space for crossover. They work fine with single plane intakes. Some have opted to put a spacer in to over come the issues. Some mill the center part down and then knife the top edge for better flow.
 
When I built the 440 for my signature car I used 915 closed chamber heads with hardened seats and oversized valves.
The motor was built by a local builder who recommended a higher compression ratio due to our elevation (4400 ft.) Dual plane manifold, 870 Holley, 284/284 purple camshaft, flat top pistons, 11.1 compression, .039" quench, etc.

I never could get it tuned right. I knew the engine had a lot more to give but just didn't have the ability to draw it out.

My new project is a '68 Plymouth GTX. It is a non-numbers matching car that came with a '69 motor that looks pretty much stock.

I would like to build this motor using EFI but maintaining a fairly stock look. Having never done anything like this my first thought is to use a throttle body.

I want this baby to perform but it will not be a car for the race track but rather for cruising and car shows.

My question is how would this effect my engine build strategy?

Should I build my motor and then choose a throttle body or vice versa?

Is a dual plane intake better for EFI motors?

Other than O2 sensors in the exhaust what sensors should I be considering?

Can someone point me to a quality supplier for the EFI components?

Thanks in advance for your help.

The engine will look very stock if you use a Holley Sniper throttle body setup. There will be a few wires and connectors that aren't stock but most people won't notice. You'll need a bung in one head pipe for the O2 sensor and you'll need a coolant sensor. That is about it for the engine. Out back you'll want to install a new gas tank with an internal fuel pump. You can get those from Holley or Tanks Inc. You'll need to add a return line for the fuel back to tank. I'd highly recommend also buying the Hyperspark distributor so you can control ignition timing with the Sniper ECU.
 
So there are a number of options available as to the EFI system. The single or dual plane manifold will probably be a decision I have to make after choosing a system.
Are there any engine modifications necessary or do I just build the motor for the HP output that I desire?
I was thinking of somewhere around the 500 hp mark, which isn't a big leap for these motors. Obviously more HP would be nice but I want it to be a street car I could take on a 4 hour cruise without any issues.
 
So there are a number of options available as to the EFI system. The single or dual plane manifold will probably be a decision I have to make after choosing a system.
Are there any engine modifications necessary or do I just build the motor for the HP output that I desire?
I was thinking of somewhere around the 500 hp mark, which isn't a big leap for these motors. Obviously more HP would be nice but I want it to be a street car I could take on a 4 hour cruise without any issues.

Intake manifold doesn't really matter, pick whatever you like and fits. The Performer RPM is a nice intake if it fits or use a Holley low profile single plane. The Holley intake is ugly, but it works pretty well. You do not need to make any engine modifications for fuel injection although a self tuning throttle body system will work better with a mild cam than with a race cam. If you're willing to connect a laptop to the Sniper then you can change the programming and get it to work with a race cam but that requires some level of expertise. A 500 hp big block shouldn't be any issue at all. I have some EFI articles on my website at www.arengineering.com in the tech section.
 
Andy,
I enjoyed your EFI article in the new Car Craft. Very informative.

Dave
 
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