Are we REALLY better off?

[94v6GT]

I still sometimes hear how "easy" it is to hop up EFI motors because "all u gotta do is plug in a loptop and hit a button" so i was lookin at my new PMAS maf+adapter+silicone coupler and it struck me how fast costs add up upgrading our motors. so i picked up a JEGs and thumbed to some pages i never look at....
With good carb intakes less than half the $ our efi intakes are, and good carbs running about what a good MAF goes, are we really that much better of with all our new fangled technology?

i understand the driveability,start up etc. benefits EEC-IV gives us. but look what we gotta go through to get it: want more air and fuel? get a $400 intake, $300 injectors, $250 maf. oh but you want that great "EFI driveability"? time to pay someone $400-$600 to "plug in a laptop and hit a button"

In the end, how much further ahead are we from the carb guy who wanted more air and fuel; so he went and got an $175 intake, a $325 carb and $0.89 screwdriver to adjust the carb? He's on his way back from the cruise-in while we're still clockin' our maf, hopin it will run good enough to get to the tuner on monday.

This is not a bash or a rant, im just curious if we are really getting the benefits EFI promises, and, if these "benefits" are worth the $$

 

[95BlueStallion]

I think once its all tuned properly, the reliable start up and efficiency of EFI is good to have. You only have to tune it once unless you change your combo, but with a carb you damn near have to adjust it when the weather changes...

 

[Chythar]

I would say it's a mixed bag. It's easy to do basic tuning with simple tools on a carb. It's an art form to get it tuned well, but it can be done with less parts and less tools.

However, a carb only lets you fine-tune the air/fuel mixture so far. And it doesn't allow for the air quality/temp and several other settings. An EFI setup lets you adjust your tune based on all the sensor input, so your engine is running at peak performance no matter what the weather is.

I admit, I have never tried to tune a carb myself - I've only owned EFI vehicles. So I don't have first-hand experience with both systems to give a truly educated opinion.

 

[ProKiller]

sure it might be easier to get a carb to a peak horse power number, but will it run you down to the store when its 20 below? how is the idle quality when you sitting in the staging lanes on a 105 degree summer day?

N/A it might be more comparable, but for super/turbochargers, you certainly want EFI.

 

[Pokageek]

Plus you have to change the whole fuel system going to carb $$.

 

[mustang6tee8]

Well, seeing as my 68 is carbureted and my 95 has EFI.... Working on the 68 is so damned easy, and a helluva lot cheaper. However, it does suck trying to get it started after sitting for a while. That's what makes the 95 so nice- I can start it up no matter how long it's been sitting and not worry about stuff like pumping the pedal cause the fuel evaporated out of the fuel bowls... I can't say that one is really better than the other... I love both of my cars equally lol.

 

[blksn955.o]

IDK, Depends on what you think a "decent" carb is...

Honestly, buddies and I used to look for cars with a Edlb. carb to pick races with. 9 out of 10 they were dogs. They were nice looking carbs and def. have the name of performance but they IMHO are just not that great of carbs.

Holley is good...

From what I have seen Demon and BG carbs are just nuts...if your looking to get a intake and good carb setup like a Demon your not saving too much money. Then like said you have to change the fuel system. You also need to re-wire the car to work without EFI. Then your going to need jet kits, tools, and all that stuff.

Sure you can hack job it and get stuff used to get it done cheaper but you can get EFI stuff used as well. Getting the setup done right and tuned right (dyno time either way) is not going to be cheap.

 

[autumn_again]

honestly. i'm thinking the same thing.

going down to the track for this past cruise night. i'm wondering what its going to take to get my car into mid to high 12s. my dad has rebuilt several carbs, several times. being a ase mechanic for over 30 years. he knows how to tune and adjust them easily, and thats where all his experience is. when he got out of racing, EFI was becoming more popular.

my brothers got a predator carb hes not using.

i'm almost 100% on switching to carb when redoing my motor.

400 or so for injectors, 400 for my intake, and then the cars going to need to be tuned and all that crap. so i'm looking at probably over a grand. for something that if i want to adjust on my own, i have to go back and pay more.

i'm looking at picking up a cheap beater so when weathers bad, or anything else. i'll have something not having to rely on the mustang.

+ carbed in my opinion, looks alot cleaner.

someone on sn95 forums in New Jersey was looking for a place to get their car tuned, the only really local shop without going out of state was Joe Heck Racing. he called, and they said they wanted 900$. thats a crapload of money.

 

[94v6GT]

This wasnt really about SWITCHING to carb or vice versa. it was whether having and EFI performance car(stang,camaro etc.) was really that much better. or is 90%(or more) of the EFI benefit related to emissions and driveability?

To be honest when i first start looking to upgrade, i was a lil disappointed and intimidated by the process. it jus seems like EFI(especially EEC-IV) seems like a roadblock to the upgrade process: "cant add this without checking that, will the comp like this mod?, sure u can swap this, but u gotta tune ur comp! yea that part works good with ur comp, but only these years".....etc. I enjoy modding my stang, but sometimes i wish i could jus order a part, put it on, and drive off, without having to 'trick' my ECU into 'letting' me run a certain part.

anyone ever feel like your ECU has a bigger say in what parts u can run than YOU do?

 

[blksn955.o]

nope got a tweecer so I can tell the eec to work with most anything .

 

[final5-0]

I love Old School

I know Old School

I can do Old School

I have done Old School :Word:

Simply because ... I'm Old

I've had a bit of experience
with hot rodding and tuning 94-95 Stangs as well

I say ... they are BOTH great

They are different and each has its own + & - considerations IMHO
so
If you compare em ... it ain't a ... apples to apples comparison

Old school carbs are not as finicky as a lot of peeps think

You just pull out the ... Choke ... when you first fire em up

Grady

 

[urban96]

this is one of those grass is always greener on the other side type things