While what
@Hemirunner is generally true to a point, going EFI is not magical or a "ticking time bomb" as some would indicate. It is not "fool proof" nor is it infallible but a modern EFI system installed correctly is WELL worth the expense and effort IMO.
Many see this discussion as a condemnation or slight on/against carbs and that is not the case really. Carburetors obviously have and do work especially on something that is driven frequently, but as has been noted many times, the current fuel formulas coupled with cars being stored for extended periods do not do the carbs any favors resulting in a myriad of problems that many do not find acceptable.
It is true that an EFI system has to be tuned, however typically the insinuation is that this is a difficult and expensive endeavor requiring the work of a professional with a dyno. That is one method to be sure, probably the best method if I am honest, but it is not the ONLY method. Most of the EFI systems available to today "self tune" and while some poo poo this as not being real or accurate, it does happen and does work, it might not be fast to tune and does require you to drive the vehicle a fair bit (not a bad thing) but it does work.
I don't know what you know about EFI so I will provide some basic information just in case. There are basically 2 types of EFI systems out there; Throttle Body Injection (TBI) and Direct Port Injection (DPI) (there are other names out there but these are essentially it). The TBI systems are what
@F4R/T mentioned above as not being much better than a carb. They are "wet" systems meaning that they inject fuel down through the intake. The DPI systems have fuel rails that inject fuel directly into each cylinder. Many people opt for the TBI systems due to the lower cost and simplicity (just like bolting on a carb) and yes they are not as efficient as a DPI system, however they are still effective and work well.
The issue of things such as the fuel pump and/or the ECU failing unexpectedly "in the middle of no where" always come up in this discussion. Well unless these same people are running points and an analog VR they run the same risks of something not easily repaired failing unexpectedly and/or at a bad time.
The keys to a solid EFI system are relatively simple and unfortunately too often disregarded which results a problematic troublesome system. It is true that you can get bad components that fail, but that applies to pretty much every part every attached to a car. The main things to address when installing an EFI system to make it reliable are
1. healthy electrical system capable of providing an adequate amount of electrical power to feed the entire system but more to the point the ECU.
2. proper install of the system which means correct wiring, good grounds, good wire routing, etc.
3. proper selection and installation of the fuel system which includes using the right pump for the system, mounting the pump (in-tank or out of tank) correctly, using/installing the correct fuel line, and having the correct connections as well as regulating the system as needed.
The problem is that too many people go cheap when doing EFI and that results in failure which of course pops up on these forums. If you want to have a reliable EFI system you need to use the right parts and install them correctly. Typically going EFI means upgrading the electrical system and probably means converting the fuel system. However if you go to a DPI system with an in-tank fuel pump and include a dual sync distributor with something like a MSD ignition wherein the ECU controls spark and fuel allowing you to control pretty much everything from a laptop (idle, fuel at any RPM, timing at any rpm, etc.) you will think you have a new engine/car. You will find HP you didn't know you had and the car will start every time you hit the key regardless of how long its been sitting.
