6V injection question.

[country63sedan]

So yesterday, I brought home a 3 deuce intake, air cleaner top and bottom, finned edelbrock v/c, perfect cast iron shorties and a set of c3ae-c heads (small valves ).  I'm fairly happy right now . This new purchase throws the port injected streetmaster idea into the corner. Anyway the intake didn't come with carbs, but that's ok. I picked a two barrel tbi out of the scrap pile and this seems doable (with some custom spacers for mounting). If Ford ever used a tbi, please let me know - if not please don't exile me for using parts from one of "those" cars. I'm thinking hit the junkyard for two more and set it up progressive with the end injectors dead until it's time for some speed and power. The only problems are - what to use for an ecm, how do I turn the end ones on and off, will it handle the transition from one to three tbi's or will it bog/stumble. I also don't know what used the smallest two barrel tbi (three times 5.7 is a little much for a 390), and whatever problems come up as I go.  

You can call me dumb or crazy (not the first time for either) but I think this is doable. I think this would give me the best of both worlds (driveability, and a chance at reasonable fuel mileage). What does everyone think and can anyone help with my questions.
                                       Later, Travis

[machoneman]

Think a lot of what you seek was answered here:

http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/late-model-efi-techboard/501335-custom-efi-390-tri-power.html

[jayb]

Travis, I think if you used a Megasquirt or ems-pro  EFI system you can run two sets of injectors, each with its own VE map.  This means that you could run the center injectors off one map, and the outboard injectors off the other.  The map for the outboard injectors can have zero fuel for idle and around town driving, and only start delivering fuel when the manifold vacuum decreases as you open the throttle bodies.  This should get you what you want.

I have heard of one guy who used this approach to run methanol in his car.  He had two sets of injectors and two fuel tanks, one set up for gasoline and one for methanol.  Under certain manifold vacuum conditions the EFI system would open up the second set of injectors and run primarily on methanol.  Kind of a cool approach, I thought...

[country63sedan]

Thanks for the link and info guys. I didn't figure I was the only guy who has thought about this. I can work thru building or modifying about anything, but when it comes to finding what I'm looking for on the internet, I'm about worthless. I went to the megasquirt site and it looks like I'll spend tonight reading about it. I'm pretty excited about this idea even though it's for an engine that isn't built, in a car that I haven't had time to work on. Oh well, I've got time to daydream/plan on the drive to and from work.
       Later, Travis
         

[country63sedan]

  Hello all,
So I spent a couple nights doing some research and this might actually work. According to what I've found, a 2.8 used 1 3/8" bores and 33 lb/hr injectors. If my calculations are correct, this would support about 375 hp. I didn't really have a hp goal, but that sounds like a good number for a street 390. Maybe I'll get some time to wander around u pull it, and start collecting throttle bodies.
  The mega squirt setup looks pretty cool and would be fun to build. I could handle the building of the circuit board and the wiring, but how steep is the learning curve on the programming? I wonder if it's adaptive at all or does it only know what you tell it and never learns on its own.
  I also wonder about using a knock sensor, I would like to use one (I expect fairly hi compression ratio), but would like to use a solid lifter cam. Would this be too noisy for the sensor? Can something be added to adjust sensitivity or does the sensor need to be moved far away from rattling rocker arms?
  Can't think of anything else right now, but will come up with lots of questions later.
 
              Later, Travis.

[jayb]

The Megasquirt programming isn't too tough, and there are lots of starter setups out there that you can use as a baseline.  If you use a wideband oxygen sensor you can set it up to be adaptive for air/fuel ratio, but I've always just watched the A/F meter and made map changes on the fly. 

The ecu has an input for a knock sensor, but I don't know how it would respond with a solid cam.  I've experimented a little with knock sensors, and found them to be rather finicky in terms of what they hear, and where you put them.  I think the knock sensor could be a source of confusion, especially with all the new stuff going on for you with the EFI setup.  My advice would be to skip the knock sensor, and run the engine for the first hour or two with race gas; a good 110 octane race fuel will get you close on the tune, and if you go too far with timing you aren't going to hurt the engine.  After you have the tune dialed in switch to your regular fuel for final adjustments.

[country63sedan]

  I had hoped it would be adaptive. The solid cam isn't set in stone, but I'm leery of all the failures with hyd lifters. I would like to run a thin oil without additives, and a solid cam seems to be the solution (more research needed). I'm concerned about detonation because I plan to build this engine for high torque/low rpm, and I probably couldn't hear it rattle while pulling a hill in 5th gear. I've got a lot to learn, and appreciate any info I'm given.        Later, Travis.
    P.S. I realize the lifter solution is hyd rollers, but I haven't found anything in the budget (I'm cheep, but creative )