• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Fuel Injection

BubbaMope

Well-Known Member
Local time
4:34 AM
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
74
Reaction score
78
Location
Louisiana
I'm about to pull the trigger on Fuel injection. I like the Edelbrock Port injection but there tech has not responded to several questions I've had about the distributor installed height etc. I have a 70 Belvedere with a 2 speed wiper motor that hangs directly over the distributor. It won't allow the MSD Ready to Run dist to fit under it.
I'm also looking at throttle body units. I only drive my car once or twice a month but I think with the easier starting and hopefully better mileage (I'm getting about 4 MPG now) and also maybe some help with the lack of vacuum advance it will make her a better daily driver.
I'm looking at the MSD unit since I have all MSD ignition now. MSD told me I can have the unit control my distributor if I rephase it.
Anyway, all that to ask...
What are y'all using for fuel injection and what is good, what is bad?
 
Edelbrock pro flo, Holley sniper best on the market. Fitech is good also but IMO requires a bit more tweaking than the pro flo. Do a search on Edelbrock pro flo 4 here on the forum. Member @Dennis H just installed a pro flo and is ecstatic about the product.
 
hold on, you only drive the car once or twice a month ? I don't see the justification for an EFI swap ..... 4MPG ? Is that realistic ? If so something is wrong .. maybe a carb overhaul and some proper tuning will make your driving more enjoyable and economic ? Just my 2 cents ....
What engine is in the car ? Stock/ mild or wild ?
 
hold on, you only drive the car once or twice a month ? I don't see the justification for an EFI swap ..... 4MPG ? Is that realistic ? If so something is wrong .. maybe a carb overhaul and some proper tuning will make your driving more enjoyable and economic ? Just my 2 cents ....
What engine is in the car ? Stock/ mild or wild ?
Agreed. Sea level too. May not be required there.
 
hold on, you only drive the car once or twice a month ? I don't see the justification for an EFI swap ..... 4MPG ? Is that realistic ? If so something is wrong .. maybe a carb overhaul and some proper tuning will make your driving more enjoyable and economic ? Just my 2 cents ....
What engine is in the car ? Stock/ mild or wild ?
Its a 408 Stroker, Eddy Heads, roller cam, roller rockers. 490 HP, 560 Tq. 355 Moser 8 3/4 rear end and TCI trans. I'm thinking the EFI will help some on economy and maybe if the system controls timing can make up for a lack of vacuum advance. I'm turning 60 and I really don't enjoy the wrenching like I used to. If I can just jump in and she lights off on the first try I will drive her more.
 
I had a carb on my 67 442. Every time it sat more then two weeks, I had to screw around to get it started and running. With FiTech, if the battery is up, it lites every time. Worth it for that alone, IMHO. I'm going Pro Flo 4 XT on the Charger, I like the tall plenum look, sequential FI with timing control and tuneable from a tablet is the way to go.
 
That's what I'm looking for, start it and go. I'm not looking for max performance, I'm looking for maximum fun.
 
Its a 408 Stroker, Eddy Heads, roller cam, roller rockers. 490 HP, 560 Tq. 355 Moser 8 3/4 rear end and TCI trans. I'm thinking the EFI will help some on economy and maybe if the system controls timing can make up for a lack of vacuum advance. I'm turning 60 and I really don't enjoy the wrenching like I used to. If I can just jump in and she lights off on the first try I will drive her more.

The Holley Sniper setup complete with the Hyperspark distributor will be a fairly easy conversion but it isn't drop dead simple. You need to install a EFI type gas tank into the car and then run a return line back to the tank. The Sniper bolts on but the wiring will take a little bit of time to sort out. The programming is fairly simple and the Sniper has data logging capability so it is easy to track what the engine is doing. The Sniper is fairly easy to install and program for people who are comfortable with some Windows type operating system commands. But I've seen a few guys who don't have any computer experience really struggle when they need to update files or move files from one directory to another. If you don't know how to find files on a hard drive or attach a file to an email then you'll want to line up some help to do the install.
 
Bubba give for-A-bodies a shot too, lots of folks there running 408 combos
 
Thank you for the heads up. I am pretty decent with computers and can generally tie my shoe laces all by myself! Kidding aside, I am leaning towards the MSD because its a plug and play for me. I have to Rephase the distributor by removing the weights and then spinning the shaft 180 degrees. It also takes a special 2 piece rotor. I already have that, along with the fuel pump block off and O2 bungs. I understand after doing these mods the MSD can control my timing and make up for no vacuum advance. My oil smells more like gasoline than oil after about 500 miles of mostly city driving. I've been pretty lucky at dialing in both Eddy and Holley carbs but I can't make up for no vacuum advance. I'm paranoid at having my car broke on the side of the road and replacement parts are a week away. While my girl is far from perfect, your average car thief would steal her in a second. I can get stock factory parts as well as MSD anyplace now, the other brands not so much.
 
I'm looking forward to the Holley Sniper 3x2 system, which has a patent application. I actually expect to get my Promax modded Holley 3x2 bbl carbs sorted, but if not, there are 2 systems available that are 3x2 setups. FiTech and F&B.
That is just for 3x2 systems, so that doesn't matter to the OP, but EFI is something I am watching closely.
 
FiTech pretty much uses all GM replacement parts....
I'm a little confused, everybody is recommending everything but the MSD but nobody has said if something is bad about the MSD. On paper it looks pretty much like the other systems and the cost is comparable. The Fitech looks like a good deal until you have to add a fuel system for it to run. I'm going to run an external pump since I am using a factory gas tank. In tank pumps are very cool until they break and you have to drop the tank to replace it. They sell the Command Center fuel tank and pump which I think is ingenious but it costs $375. Once you factor that in it costs as much as any other system. The MSD can be set up as a returnless system which I like but when I got the new gas tank I also got a new 3/8 fuel line. I'm going to route it with the existing line and can use it as a return line. I'll need to read instructions about the return line requirements though, I think it needs a pressure regulator.
All that to say Can anyone tell me why not buy the MSD Atomic?
 
until you have to add a fuel system for it to run
I have looked at this solution, and I think it is perfect for what I may do, either on my Roadrunner or on my wife's 421 Tripower GTO. I am going to let a Tripower guru who has modded the 3x2 bbl Rochesters for stroker motors and highly modified engines to have a go at her 3x2 Rochesters, and then should that not get us where we want to be, there are a couple of 3x2 TBI systems that are available, and this G-Surge system is what I am going to try:
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/new-tankpump-solves-every-problem-efi-fuel-systems/
 
I'm a little confused, everybody is recommending everything but the MSD but nobody has said if something is bad about the MSD. On paper it looks pretty much like the other systems and the cost is comparable. The Fitech looks like a good deal until you have to add a fuel system for it to run. I'm going to run an external pump since I am using a factory gas tank. In tank pumps are very cool until they break and you have to drop the tank to replace it. They sell the Command Center fuel tank and pump which I think is ingenious but it costs $375. Once you factor that in it costs as much as any other system. The MSD can be set up as a returnless system which I like but when I got the new gas tank I also got a new 3/8 fuel line. I'm going to route it with the existing line and can use it as a return line. I'll need to read instructions about the return line requirements though, I think it needs a pressure regulator.
All that to say Can anyone tell me why not buy the MSD Atomic?

I've had a lot of vehicles since about 1990 and they all had in-tank fuel pumps. I've never had to replace one, and even if I needed to, you can drop a tank in 30 minutes in most cars. The advantage is the fuel keeps it cool and there's virtually no noise. Can't say the same for an in-line, frame mounted pump. I tried the FCC (fuel command center) on my FiTech when I first installed it. It ran okay but had various 'new product' problems. I drive my car a lot and wanted more reliability, so I had a custom S/S tank built with an in-tank pump, ran all new PTFE teflon lined hoses and now also have the choice of running E-85 if I want to.
Can't help you with the MSD unit. I bought my EFI over 2 years ago, before there were many players. Good luck with whichever system you choose.
 
I'm a little confused, everybody is recommending everything but the MSD but nobody has said if something is bad about the MSD. On paper it looks pretty much like the other systems and the cost is comparable. The Fitech looks like a good deal until you have to add a fuel system for it to run. I'm going to run an external pump since I am using a factory gas tank. In tank pumps are very cool until they break and you have to drop the tank to replace it. They sell the Command Center fuel tank and pump which I think is ingenious but it costs $375. Once you factor that in it costs as much as any other system. The MSD can be set up as a returnless system which I like but when I got the new gas tank I also got a new 3/8 fuel line. I'm going to route it with the existing line and can use it as a return line. I'll need to read instructions about the return line requirements though, I think it needs a pressure regulator.
All that to say Can anyone tell me why not buy the MSD Atomic?

The MSD Atomic works okay, I used one on a customer engine once and it worked fine. I wouldn't buy it myself since it is a dead end system but if that is what you want then go for it. If it does what you need then no reason not to buy it.
 
I've had a lot of vehicles since about 1990 and they all had in-tank fuel pumps. I've never had to replace one, and even if I needed to, you can drop a tank in 30 minutes in most cars. The advantage is the fuel keeps it cool and there's virtually no noise. Can't say the same for an in-line, frame mounted pump. I tried the FCC (fuel command center) on my FiTech when I first installed it. It ran okay but had various 'new product' problems. I drive my car a lot and wanted more reliability, so I had a custom S/S tank built with an in-tank pump, ran all new PTFE teflon lined hoses and now also have the choice of running E-85 if I want to.
Can't help you with the MSD unit. I bought my EFI over 2 years ago, before there were many players. Good luck with whichever system you choose.
Early indictions good for the intank pump on mine. Ricks Tanks $$$. Quiet and about 600 miles. Wanted a trunk trap door, bu didn’t work out - to avoid having to drop the tank during a pump failure on the road. Pump has pump something technology to let it rest during low demand. Pro Flo 4 Edelbrock. Have not fully realized the benefits yet, but Daves post is reassuring. Does the efi now mean that ethanol is no longer a concern?
 
Since Holley bought MSD, I would not recommend getting an MSD you won't see much refinement or enhancements to the existing technology it will go towards the Holley products.
Mine is OK runs great with timing control.
I installed my pump on the outside of the frame rail in front of the rear wheel.
I removed the pickup sock in sending unit 3/8" and drilled and soldered in a 5/16" line for the return.
Used the steel 5/16 for a return with a cheap e-bay pressure regulator.
The regulator is connected to vacuum for quick pressure increase when vacuum drops.

The good:
Easy to install really nice hardware and the in-line pump with pulse width modulation works pretty well
can control electric fans
can make adjustments while driving (which is a little dangerous)
Mine runs well, but does have a tilt in lean condition which may be curable by going to the newest revision and having it learn again
It starts, idles and runs real well on the highway.

The not so good:
The display unit is really kind of cheesy, it works fine but a color display or a bluetooth setup would be much better.
To upgrade the firmware you lose all your settings which is pretty dumb (I do engineering controls for living)
IAC control is sluggish (but I'm not running the newest version).
 
Early indictions good for the intank pump on mine. Ricks Tanks $$$. Quiet and about 600 miles. Wanted a trunk trap door, bu didn’t work out - to avoid having to drop the tank during a pump failure on the road. Pump has pump something technology to let it rest during low demand. Pro Flo 4 Edelbrock. Have not fully realized the benefits yet, but Daves post is reassuring. Does the efi now mean that ethanol is no longer a concern?

Well, it's not only the EFI (not containing any rubber or steel parts that would be affected by the alcohol) that allows me to use E-85. It's the use of a S/S tank (Rick's) and all PTFE lined hose. Regular fuel hose and steel fuel tanks and hard lines can be affected by the water that alcohol attracts. Applies to street cars, not race cars that can drain carburetors and fuel tanks...
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top