Is anyone running the new Fitech EFI? Has anyone used the timing control that is built into the EFI4 and EFI8? I am thinking of changing to EFI but I am not sure if I should purchase the EFI box with timing control, or install an MSD 6AL programmable box with the Fitech EFI.

I don't think that ecu takes the place of an ignition box like an MSD, it is the ecu that controls the injectors, that's all. the difference is that FiTech house it in the throttle body to make a neat, compact unit whereas all the others are a separate external unit - with lots of wiring!

Regardless of which system I go with I would still have to run my MSD box. Just curious if the timing control is worth spending the extra funds. Fuel and timing controlled by the ecm, I would think is the better way.

I have no experience with the FITech units, however I would buy the one that does ignition control if it's an option.

Call me skeptical. As a firefighter I am a trained pessimist anyway. Seems to me that the weak point of the old Lean Burn system was having the electronics controlling everything on the air cleaner atop the engine. The heat and vibration combined for an unreliable system. I think I will wait and see how they do in the long run before biting. That same thing also keeps me from the Holley Sniper as well. Add to that, the lack of user repair means either having a spare or possibly getting stranded.
BTW, for those who were wondering, EFI-4 and the Sniper do offer spark control and as far as I can tell will interface with an MSD 6 if you want capacitive discharge as well.

I am running the Go-EFI-8 with timing control, using a locked out MP electronic dizzy, and an old MSD 6AL.

No problems so far. Although the FITech only has 3x3 tables for spark, and 3 of those are defined in boost, so useless for NA guys.

I am only able to get 9mpg on my 493 so far...need to improve that a bit still

What do you mean by this, its standard on all their units, not an option. Besides, FiTech's units are the least expense efi units on the market.


Is there anywhere that explains how the timing control works and what it does ??

Not sure I understand the question...

The mag pickup in the distributor sends signal to the FITech, the FITech then sends your desired timing signal to the MSD via the "points" wire, just as if you were running an external retard box, MSD fires coil, coil goes through cap to spark plug

In the FITech, you can identify spark timing with respect to engine speed and manifold pressure. If you have a programmable box now, or an electronic box with dialed in mechanical and vacuum advance , there is no benefit.

Denfireguy you do make a good point. That has crossed my mind regarding the heat and vibration.

Outlawd how much power are you making?
How easy is it to program the timing control?

They do make a mean street efi with no timing control. I also could not find any instruction on the timing control.

I currently have an Msd billet dizzy with no vac advance, and a msd 6al box.

Mean street is $1100 and the Efi8 is $1500.

Well ...

That was the technology of the time - multiple components on a large circuit board with loads of soldered connections and virtually no heat sinking. There have been significant advances since then and I suspect everything is on a single chip the size of a fingernail. The whole throttle body would act as a heat sink - the airflow through it carrying the heat away from the ECU. This is probably more effective than mounting the ECU on the firewall or inner fender.

I was under the impression that the EFI8 was only for blown or turbo motors but I see that it's not.

Actually, I like the idea of the dual fan control mor than the timing control !!

Electronic timing control is on every new car for at least 10 years. As part of the emission control apparatus it has to be fully functional after 100K miles.

Chrysler's Lean Burn system was a last-ditch attempt by a badly underfunded company. It is a mistake to compare it with anything else.

Electronic spark control is so much more user-friendly than the centrifugal and vacuum advance in a distributor that it should be a no-brainer, especially for those who like to run their engines at the ragged edge of detonation.

R.

Currently ~550, more to come with N2O, and possibly boost later on.
I got the bigger unit to allow flexibility to add more power, run E85, use it on a different engine...etc.

There is a guy with a boosted SBC running in the 9's with it I think, he is currently investigating injectors to support more power.


The main limit I see, especially for NA, is the ~860cfm rating of the throttle body

Timing control is easy, just have to have an idea where you want you timing at idle, part throttle cruise, and WOT, then enter those values into the handheld unit

The two base units don't have timing control.

I am going to try the EFI8. Thanks everyone for your input.

True but as you know, there are still ancillary components that are needed to run the chip. And even though they are all now surface mount components there still are wires and/or pins connecting things that are soldered. Crystals still control clocks and are vibration resistant but not vibration proof. I would not store my smart phone on top of an engine, just saying.
My Megasquirt ECU sits in the passenger compartment with me.
Craig

Can you spot the computer in this pic?





They've been there for years and it is extremely rare for us to see a failure.

You can never convince a pessimist !!!