thoughts on FITECH EFI

[JamesonRacing]

I have to admit though that I'm also a little baffled in all the interest in these self-tuning EFI systems.

I purchased a Quick Fuel system for the 418 FE in my convertible Fairlane.  I went this direction in hopes that the car would be easy to tune, stable idle, well managed cold start behavior, and reasonable mileage.  I know these goals can be reached with enough tuning on a carb, but I'd much rather tune from the laptop than try to get the electric choke to behave like I want it to.  Should have the engine running in the next several weeks; can report back if I achieved what I was planning on. 

Also, the Quick Fuel system manages the timing through a locked out Duraspark, but it doesn't integrate the timing into the overall map (as far as I can tell).  You specify initial timing, full advance, and the RPM to reach full advance.  The ECU draws a straight line and provides the timing based only on RPM.

[stangbuilder]

  This is a reply to jay..Its easy as to why the interest in self tuning Efi. Its a great replace to a carb in todays world with fuel issues. As for my own car i had a highly tuned pro-systems 950 carb..With the Efi i gain about 1 to 1.5 mpg..Cold start running .no comparison.. From idle to WOT. All areas better IMO..The throttle response is off the charts..Anyway back to jay it money a true Efi system will set you back a few $$$..If you do the full on holley unit with a return system and gas tank for Efi it will set you back 5-6 k The manifold injectors and wiring harness then you need the throttle body. Not sure about exact numbers about 1800.00 if i remember right .  Over the XFI system...

[jayb]

I don't know, I added up the cost of a Megasquirt 2, wiring harness, the sensors, Ford Performance injectors, injector bungs, fuel rails, and a Holley 4150 EFI throttle body and came up with $1300.  Summit lists the Fitech system for $1200, if I'm looking at the right one, and the FAST system is $2000+.  Sure, with the Megasquirt setup you have to get the bungs welded into the intake, machine the fuel rails, and do some wiring.  But that's just hot rodding.  The Megasquirt system is infinitely tunable, plus its a direct port system.  Seems like a much better way to go to me.

[bartlett]

Imo the Megasquirt may be a way better system but the normal human has ZERO idea how to make this system work or what he needs. Ive tried to research it and just keep going in circles. Imo if they want to sell units they need to package the system more user friendly.

[jayb]

It's interesting that you brought that up, I've actually thought about putting together a complete FE-friendly EFI package.  One problem is that there are so many different ways to do it, with different distributor or distributorless systems, different intake manifolds and throttle bodies, etc.  I've talked to the people at DYI auto tune and they can build a custom wiring harness for a specific engine, so it would be possible to get an FE-specific wiring harness; that way everything would just plug together.  Then, an FE-specific program pre-loaded into the EFI box would be all that would be required, which would actually be pretty easy.  Something to think about...

[JamesonRacing]

Interested in what you have in mind for a EFI FE system.  I have an EFI Victor 4150 intake already hanging on the wall, and have a rowdy 465 that I'd like to introduce to fuel injection.  Edelbrock sells the fuel rails for this intake, and throttle bodies and injectors are readily available; what else would I need to complete the installation?

[turbohunter]

  I've talked to the people at DYI auto tune and they can build a custom wiring harness for a specific engine, so it would be possible to get an FE-specific wiring harness; that way everything would just plug together.  Then, an FE-specific program pre-loaded into the EFI box would be all that would be required, which would actually be pretty easy.  Something to think about...

Hmm, indeed would be something to think about for a certain '66 mustang being built.
Wires scare me.

[drdano]

Imo the Megasquirt may be a way better system but the normal human has ZERO idea how to make this system work or what he needs. Ive tried to research it and just keep going in circles. Imo if they want to sell units they need to package the system more user friendly.

Agreed.  This is where the other "bolt-on" out of the box EFI units like Atomic EFI, FiTech, etc are making at least the initial implementation easier and more user friendly.  Jay mentioned above that adding up all the parts is around $1200...but which parts?  Even a simple PDF/web-page that had "recipes" for which components mate well with which other components and the associated part numbers for each would be a big help for me.  I'm not scared at all of wiring and plumbing things together, but knowing which parts I need I'm more at a loss on.  Kind of like how there are recipes in Jays book for various engines with dyno numbers showing how they do.  Perhaps something similar that would at least get you in the ball park for your EFI swap based on which engine it's going on. 

[jayb]

You guys have forced me to think all this through LOL!  I'm putting together a list that I'll post here sometime in the next day or so, that will hopefully make things clearer...

[machoneman]

Wow, that is a great idea Jay. Have no idea though how well that system would sell however.

[My427stang]

Thanks Jay, I was considering a TB kit for my 445, but mostly because I never really knew the MS stuff was affordable and/or how to purchase.  Appreciate you doing some leg work, I'd much prefer to go that way if the cost really is that competitive.

[ToddK]

I'm in the same boat. I am about to upgrade the fuel system in my Galaxie with the thought of possibly one day going to EFI. I had looked into the complete package TB systems, but agree that a port injection tuneable system would be best. Just not sure what is needed. An idiots recipe and guide would be great.

[Ford428CJ]

Wounder why no one looks into the Accel DFI!? That seams like a killer system as well.... Its self learning but you can custom tune it. Doesn't matter if its turbo, blow'n and so on. Should check that out as well 

[Heo]

I'm in the same boat. I am about to upgrade the fuel system in my Galaxie with the thought of possibly one day going to EFI. I had looked into the complete package TB systems, but agree that a port injection tuneable system would be best. Just not sure what is needed. An idiots recipe and guide would be great.

X2

[turbohunter]

Wounder why no one looks into the Accel DFI!? That seams like a killer system as well.... Its self learning but you can custom tune it. Doesn't matter if its turbo, blow'n and so on. Should check that out as well

I took a look at it but IIRC it was pretty pricey.