EFI conversion reliability
#2565816
10/18/18 10:21 AM
10/18/18 10:21 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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I'm wanting to put a EFI throttle body conversion on my Dart with a 5.9 Magnum. I'm planning on driving this around the country so I'm concerned about the reliability of these systems. I really tired of carburetors after 45 years of dealing with them. I've use one setup that being an older Fast EZ on a customers car. We were really happy with the outcome. The two setups that I'm looking at are the Fast EZ 30226-kit and the Fitech Go Street. Any real life experience logging many miles on these??? Thanks
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2565895
10/18/18 01:13 PM
10/18/18 01:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,404 Michigan
MarkZ
Worthy
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Worthy
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Posts: 4,404
Michigan
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I've got about 800 miles on a Holley Sniper kit using their fuel pump. It's performed great.
Whoever's kit you go with though you should do an in-tank pump installation with some kind of baffle. This is especially important if this is a cross country cruiser.
1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2565964
10/18/18 03:04 PM
10/18/18 03:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 403 Colorado front range
BcudaChris
mopar
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mopar
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Colorado front range
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For a little more change, the Edelbrock multipoint setup can be had for less than 2K. It features a single plane manifold. A specter tank from Rock Auto and you have MPFI computer controlled ignition and solid fuel delivery. With all the fiddly bits you'll need, It can come in comfortably under 2500.
No experience with it though. And, I don't know whether or not it batch or sequential fire.
At any rate, my research indicates that adding computer controlled ignition adds around $500 to any of the TBI setups.
Also, from what I've seen personally, the TBI's don't really like dual plane manifolds and you may need a single plane to be completely optimized.
Keep in mind though, I'm in Denver where single plane manifolds are basically useless with carbs if you want to do anything but buzz to the track.
The last one I wrenched a bit on was the single plane Magnum 380 crate engine. Wouldn't idle, stinky exhaust and weird part throttle behavior with the appropriate Holley, dialed in on a dyno. Fitech installed perfectly with a Tanks Inc. setup. The guy drives like a grandma and complained about the top end. Answer ended up being you need to drive it like you intend to use so it can learn, even if you only do WOT to impress your friends. The guy is very happy now, and even did the Central City Hill Climb, which is a reliability run with mostly traditional hot rods. Lots of flat head Fords.
Another guy is fighting with getting a Fitech running properly on a dual plane (mild 350 in a C-10). He sent the unit end for repair under warranty because of strange behavior, hasn't gotten it back yet but the guy is bummed because FiTech recommended a single plane intake to him and the current one is beautified to the tune of 40 hours of polishing and clear coating.
More info to digest. Good luck
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2566092
10/18/18 07:16 PM
10/18/18 07:16 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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BcudaChris I'm over in Grand Junction. I've been running dual planes on my street motors for years with no problems. The one EZ setup I did was on this 472 Hemi crate motor with a dual planes. The setup behaved very well. Started right up. Great idle. Crisp throttle responce. Ran great. No smelly exhaust and burning eyes. No fowled plugs. I understand that on a race motor a single plane is the way to go.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: BigBlockMopar]
#2566094
10/18/18 07:18 PM
10/18/18 07:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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Shabby or loose wiring or connectors are the most common issues when things go bad. There's nothing more annoying than getting stranded by a lousy connection somewhere. True but being a retired Master Electrician wiring and connections usually aren't a problem for me.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2566096
10/18/18 07:19 PM
10/18/18 07:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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I'm more concerned with failure of the pump, injector or controller.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2566125
10/18/18 08:31 PM
10/18/18 08:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,254 IL
furious70
top fuel
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top fuel
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IL
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I've been running a classic f.a.s.t box since 2009. It was 10yrs old tech at that time. Never left me stranded. Cheap walbro 255 pump hanging on the frame rail, noisy but keeps working. Street car.
70 Sport Fury 68 Charger 69 Coronet 72 RR
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2566183
10/18/18 10:37 PM
10/18/18 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,908 Nebraska
4406bbl
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I have over 100,000 miles on a holley projection, installed in 1996 has had one pump in the first year, one tps, one oxygen sensor. I know others have had disasters with these but I think you need a modern charging system to keep voltage high at idle, and good connections. My install is on a dual plane, frame mounted pump below tank, and the key in my mind is the 100 amp at 950 rpm neville alternator, it never low voltages at idle not the joke 100 amp factory case junk. One other item, I used the factory tank pickup, it runs dry all the time when low and the pump has never failed from that, it is a walbro. Low voltage kills these systems, I will go Holley for my next install.
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2566206
10/18/18 11:18 PM
10/18/18 11:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,707 Star Idaho
67vertman
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I have four years and over 8000 miles on my system. No it's not a plug and play system, like you are looing for. But mine has given me no problems so far.
F&B throttle body with FAST EFI ECU.
Last edited by 67vertman; 10/18/18 11:18 PM.
My Monster are real!
Living within your means makes life pretty easy.
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: JAMESDART]
#2566891
10/20/18 12:48 PM
10/20/18 12:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Megasquirt always interested me. But does it have any advantage anymore with with some of the stuff Holley is offering now? When Megasquirt first came out, they were really the only ones on the market that could be basically endlessly customized and they were by leaps and bounds cheaper than anything else on the market. Like 100-200 for a kit vs 2-3k for anyone else. Prices on their competitor's stuff has some down in recent years and the other aftermarket stuff has more options for custom installs than ever before. Now it has basically boiled down to the trade off between cost and ease of installation. The basic MS kits can still be had for quite cheap, but you will be soldering the board together yourself for the cheap kits, however if you spend more you can get machine assembled systems. The learning curve is much steeper with them and support is by way of a forum rather than factory support through a supplier.
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2566903
10/20/18 01:23 PM
10/20/18 01:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277 West Coast, USA
jbc426
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EFI & overdrive are an amazing combination. Sounds like several of you havne't pulled the trigger on overdrive yet, as you don't use your cars much. My '68 is a daily driver (factory EFI- reflashed for 408 Magnum & OD)
Overheated/worked fuel pumps can be a reliability issue. Cavitation can exacerbate that problem on poorly designed systems.
Field serviceability on these old cars is hit & miss depending on what breaks and what you brought with you. Look at how many new cars are sitting on the side of the road...
If I had to, I can change both my pumps without dropping the tank. Having an OEM quality fuel system with field serviceable fuel pump/s, spare sensors and the tools and knowledge to troubleshoot them are critical, but so is a cell phone and a flat bed tow truck.
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: jbc426]
#2566908
10/20/18 01:40 PM
10/20/18 01:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807 North Dakota
Azzkikrcuda
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I don't think reliability is an issue. I used to carry around a spare ballast, ecu, cap and rotor with the stock setup. Now all I need is a laptop. Good parts and a In-tank fuel pump setup are key to reliability. I would go with FAST or Holley sniper over FiTech. The two FiTech systems I worked on were not that great
Last edited by Azzkikrcuda; 10/20/18 01:43 PM.
The only Carbs I care about are under the hood!
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: JAMESDART]
#2566986
10/20/18 05:16 PM
10/20/18 05:16 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,254 IL
furious70
top fuel
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top fuel
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Posts: 2,254
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I was going to ad this earlier but I didn’t want to derail your thread, speaking from experience, I would do overdrive over efi. I did over drive conversion on 2 old cars and I found I drove them way more after. I did OD several years before EFI which was several years before boost. I strongly second the vote for OD before EFI if you need to do it in stages. My Charger still runs a 750 double pumper but has a 5spd in it. I have no desire to put EFI on it, but the extra gear was 'mandatory'.
70 Sport Fury 68 Charger 69 Coronet 72 RR
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: furious70]
#2567019
10/20/18 06:56 PM
10/20/18 06:56 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,704 Florida
BDW
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I was going to ad this earlier but I didn’t want to derail your thread, speaking from experience, I would do overdrive over efi. I did over drive conversion on 2 old cars and I found I drove them way more after. I did OD several years before EFI which was several years before boost. I strongly second the vote for OD before EFI if you need to do it in stages. My Charger still runs a 750 double pumper but has a 5spd in it. I have no desire to put EFI on it, but the extra gear was 'mandatory'. Same exact situation for me. The cost for the 518 was $2500, Fitech was $2000, so I did the OD 2 years before EFI. The benefits of OD can't be emphasized enough. Makes the car so much more enjoyable to drive. EFI is nice, but no comparison to having OD.
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2567026
10/20/18 07:29 PM
10/20/18 07:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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Oh I hear ya all. We put a 518 in my buddy's 70 Cuda vert 2 years ago. Then I drove it the 800 mile trip to Reno for HAN. With the top down all the way. I've done several TKO conversions and I don't really like that setup. Was thinking of doing the T-56 but don't want to build a new tunnel so I'm bellying up to the bar and doing the Passion 855. Just put one in my Buddy's 70 Challenger R/T this summer and it is really nice. Think I'll put a 518 in my 72 SSP beings it has a 727 now.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2567044
10/20/18 08:29 PM
10/20/18 08:29 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,853 Pattison Texas
CSK
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A518 in my Charger, makes it nice to drive, EFI next, already run the tanks inc intank fuel pump.
Last edited by csk; 10/20/18 08:29 PM.
1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI 512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim 2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2567230
10/21/18 11:37 AM
10/21/18 11:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,254 IL
furious70
top fuel
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top fuel
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Posts: 2,254
IL
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Oh I hear ya all. We put a 518 in my buddy's 70 Cuda vert 2 years ago. Then I drove it the 800 mile trip to Reno for HAN. With the top down all the way. I've done several TKO conversions and I don't really like that setup. Was thinking of doing the T-56 but don't want to build a new tunnel so I'm bellying up to the bar and doing the Passion 855. Just put one in my Buddy's 70 Challenger R/T this summer and it is really nice. Think I'll put a 518 in my 72 SSP beings it has a 727 now. FWIW I really dislike the TKO in my Charger. If I had ever driven one before having mine I would have done a Passion 4spd OD since the 855 wasn't really available.
70 Sport Fury 68 Charger 69 Coronet 72 RR
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: JAMESDART]
#2567552
10/21/18 11:42 PM
10/21/18 11:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,018 Tulsa OK
Bad340fish
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Megasquirt always interested me. But does it have any advantage anymore with with some of the stuff Holley is offering now? A huge margin on price, even the full boogie Pre assembled MS3PRO units are way cheaper than holley and have as many or more features. You do have to make your engine wiring harness and I think Holley offers a universal one at a cost. I don't see making a harness as a downside though. I originally wanted Holley but the price pushed me to look into the megasquirt stuff because I had seen some people using them with great success. There is lots of Drag Week and Bonnevile record holding cars that have run on the DIY Megasquirt kits from DIYAutotune.com.
68 Barracuda Formula S 340
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2567824
10/22/18 02:14 PM
10/22/18 02:14 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 403 Colorado front range
BcudaChris
mopar
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mopar
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Colorado front range
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BcudaChris I'm over in Grand Junction. I've been running dual planes on my street motors for years with no problems. The one EZ setup I did was on this 472 Hemi crate motor with a dual planes. The setup behaved very well. Started right up. Great idle. Crisp throttle responce. Ran great. No smelly exhaust and burning eyes. No fowled plugs. I understand that on a race motor a single plane is the way to go. That is gorgeous man! Are you able to get those results at small block displacement levels and 230-ish duration? Maybe his unit is having problems.. This guys is running an airgap style intake on 383 cubes, a cam in that range, a Davis Unified HEI, headers and auto.
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2568586
10/23/18 09:49 PM
10/23/18 09:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494 Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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On the Fitechs I've heard about some people having problems and other people not having any problems so I don't know what the deal is. I've heard nothing but good about the Fast units. I've decided on the Fast with the Tanks Inc. fuel tank. Going to order them after my trip. I haven't had any experience with aftermarket EFI on a small block, just that 472 Hemi so we'll see how it goes on my 5.9.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2568651
10/23/18 11:27 PM
10/23/18 11:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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On the Fitechs I've heard about some people having problems and other people not having any problems so I don't know what the deal is. I think the short version on that is quality control. To me, it seems like they got a bit too large too fast and simply scaled production. It takes a lot of effort to mass produce something with any quality. Even a blind squirrel might find a nut. There are also questionable components within them, the first thing anyone experienced with FiTech will tell you to do is throw away the provided coolant temp sensor. It's inaccurate and can't be trusted....it's also one of the simplest components in the entire system, it's a stinkin' thermistor. A "quality" replacement is about $9 at retail pricing. To me, if they cheap out on that, what else did they cheap out on? Low end injectors? O-rings? Internal electronics? Oxygen sensors? That said, I have installed one for a family member and it's been running excellent for a few thousand miles now. I would probably use one on one of my own vehicles, but I would for sure buy brand new and ensure I had a warranty of some sort. In the same breath, I'd be tempted to try a Holley Sniper kit...
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: GoodysGotaCuda]
#2568682
10/24/18 12:47 AM
10/24/18 12:47 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,704 Florida
BDW
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Florida
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On the Fitechs I've heard about some people having problems and other people not having any problems so I don't know what the deal is. There are also questionable components within them, the first thing anyone experienced with FiTech will tell you to do is throw away the provided coolant temp sensor. It's inaccurate and can't be trusted....it's also one of the simplest components in the entire system, it's a stinkin' thermistor. A "quality" replacement is about $9 at retail pricing. .. First I've heard about this, what are people using for a replacement?
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: BDW]
#2568740
10/24/18 09:08 AM
10/24/18 09:08 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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On the Fitechs I've heard about some people having problems and other people not having any problems so I don't know what the deal is. There are also questionable components within them, the first thing anyone experienced with FiTech will tell you to do is throw away the provided coolant temp sensor. It's inaccurate and can't be trusted....it's also one of the simplest components in the entire system, it's a stinkin' thermistor. A "quality" replacement is about $9 at retail pricing. .. First I've heard about this, what are people using for a replacement? There are a bunch, Delphi TS1007 is what I used. Looks like it's about $10 on Amazon. There are dozens of posts on the FiTech owners facebook page about the topic.
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: moparmarks]
#2568777
10/24/18 11:42 AM
10/24/18 11:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807 North Dakota
Azzkikrcuda
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North Dakota
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I had to replace the temp senders on both FiTech systems I worked on, They read about 30 degrees low.
The only Carbs I care about are under the hood!
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: Azzkikrcuda]
#2569109
10/24/18 09:01 PM
10/24/18 09:01 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,704 Florida
BDW
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I had to replace the temp senders on both FiTech systems I worked on, They read about 30 degrees low. I've suspected my temps are low, always around 140-160. What sensor did you use, the 1 posted above doesn't show up.
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Re: EFI conversion reliability
[Re: BDW]
#2569419
10/25/18 03:34 PM
10/25/18 03:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,807 North Dakota
Azzkikrcuda
top fuel
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top fuel
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Posts: 1,807
North Dakota
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I used TS4052SB from Napa
The only Carbs I care about are under the hood!
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