CARB OR EFI

[PIPEPRO]

HEY GOT A QUESTION, I CURRENTLY AM RUNNING A 347 STROKER WITH TF TWISTED HEAD, BBK SSI UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE, AEM COMPUTER 3O POUND INJECTOR, FULL LENGHT BBK HEADERS MATCHED MASS AIR METER, WIDE BAND O2, AND SUPERCHARGED AT 9 PSI, CANT GET THE CAR TO RUN RIGHT, EITHER RICH OR LEAN AND WONT IDLE WORTH A CRAP. I AM ABOUT TO GO OLD SCHOOL AND GO WITH 500 CFM ELD. CARBS AND RPM AIR GAP INTAKE, WHAT DO YOU THINK. ALSO I DONT THINK IT IS IGNITION OR TIMING AS IT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED. PLEASE YOUR OPINION.....

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Stay EFI and get a dynotune, your drivability will thank you. And please turn off caps lock.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Do a search on this. There's seriously 100s of threads debating this....it's a topic that's been thoroughly beat into the ground and nobody can agree on anything, so i'd suggest doing a search, read up about it and decide for yourself.

 

[NIKwoaC]

Like said before, it sounds like you just need to actually get it professionally tuned. Also, 30lb injectors might be a bit small. I think dumping all those goodies just to go carb is a waste. Unless you want to give them to me

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Like said before, it sounds like you just need to actually get it professionally tuned. Also, 30lb injectors might be a bit small. I think dumping all those goodies just to go carb is a waste. Unless you want to give them to me

I'd have to agree...and i'm a carb guy. If you already have a quality EFI setup and you already have some nice go fast parts, just get it tuned and leave it alone.

However, if you're starting from scratch and money is an issue, or if you like to tinker with things and tune your own car, then carb may be for you. If you just have a new EFI build and it's running crappy, just get it tuned and be happy.

 

[2000xp8]

Try and not post with capitals, it's a bit hard on the eyes.

Any combination done correctly runs fine with EFI, obviously you have some problems and i assure you there is a solution, you just need to find what you messed up.
Going to a carb is not the remedy.

I'd start with going to 42lb injectors and a matching PMAS mass air meter.
Because 30's are good for a TW 347 combo, WITHOUT the supercharger.

A tune is not the solution either, before the car ever goes to a dyno, it should already run right, then you goto the dyno and have it tweaked.
If you don't do it that way, the dyno shop is going to make a ton of cash fixing problems that you should of never went there with to begin with.

 

[jrichker]

It is a function of what you want to do with the car. Either one will make the same power if properly tuned.

Carbs are great for the track and make good power. For a strip only N/A car, they are hard to beat. Step on the pedal and flush - it's a gasoline toilet!

EFI RULES on the street for a car that is driven in all kinds of weather, up and down mountains and gets great gas mileage. EFI will make just as much power as a carb and be easier to drive on the street. If isn't hard to tune if you know what you are doing.

There isn't a carb made without computer assist that can do all those things as well as EFI can. The only possible exception would be the IDA or DCOE Webers which cost major $$$ - like $3000 for 4 each IDA 48's and a manifold.

Here's a book that will get you started with how the Ford electronic engine control or "computer" works.

Ford Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control 1988-1993 by Charles Probst: ISBN 0-8376-0301-3.

It's about $30 from Borders.com - see http://www.amazon.com . Select books and then select search. Use the ISBN number (without dashes or spaces) to do a search

Use the ISBN number and your local library can get you a loaner copy for free. Only thing is you are limited to keeping the book for two weeks. It is very good, and I found it to be very helpful.

If you are adverse to reading books, the car won't run any better with a carb than it will with EFI.

 

[Rick James]

Get it tuned,i dont know how somebody can say that a stand alone set up is going run great out of the box.It should at least start and run enough to get it to the dyno and get it tuned/programmed for optimum power/drivability.I run a carb,but its my weekend toy. But carbs can be reliable and have pretty good drivability,but if your injected keep it unless your gonna go all out strip car.

 

[2000xp8]

I didn't even realize he had a standalone, do yourself a favor, take out the standalone and put the stock stuff back in the car.
If you don't have the stock computer and wiring, sell the stand alone and buy it.
Your combo doesn't require anything that elaborate.

 

[jrichker]

If you are having idle problems, see the "Surging Idle Checklist for help with all your idle/stall problems. The first two posts contain all the updates to the fixes. At last count there were 24 possible causes and fixes] for surging idle/stall problems. I continue to update it as more people post fixes or ask questions.

 

[venomous121]

i have been there and done this 3 times now with different mustangs of mine. i like the carb over the injection for various reasons. its important to not get frustrated with the fuel injection. you might want to check for vacuum leaks. i have found a common problem to be people running constant vacuum to the egr causing a massive vaccum leak and crappy idle. if you cant figure it out, try taking to someone who can. changing to carb gets pricey in a hurry unless you sell off all your FI stuff.

 

[Makdaddymac]

im here yah with the idle problem, but patience EFI is better....

 

[2BADSTANGS]

+1 On the EFI, you've already got it in place, now just optimize it. It is a bit harder to trouble shoot than a carb, but once you get it right, to me the previously stated benefits are well worth it!

 

[Killer50stang]

It is a function of what you want to do with the car. Either one will make the same power if properly tuned.

Carbs are great for the track and make good power. For a strip only N/A car, they are hard to beat. Step on the pedal and flush - it's a gasoline toilet!

EFI RULES on the street for a car that is driven in all kinds of weather, up and down mountains and gets great gas mileage. EFI will make just as much power as a carb and be easier to drive on the street. If isn't hard to tune if you know what you are doing.

There isn't a carb made without computer assist that can do all those things as well as EFI can. The only possible exception would be the IDA or DCOE Webers which cost major $$$ - like $3000 for 4 each IDA 48's and a manifold.

Here's a book that will get you started with how the Ford electronic engine control or "computer" works.

Ford Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control 1988-1993 by Charles Probst: ISBN 0-8376-0301-3.

It's about $30 from Borders.com - see Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more . Select books and then select search. Use the ISBN number (without dashes or spaces) to do a search

Use the ISBN number and your local library can get you a loaner copy for free. Only thing is you are limited to keeping the book for two weeks. It is very good, and I found it to be very helpful.

If you are adverse to reading books, the car won't run any better with a carb than it will with EFI.

This says it in a nutshell. Cost savings is tremdous. I did it, sold the EFI crap on ebay and bought a blower for my carb setup. My conversion went from about 250 to 390RWHP. I was able to buy a good set of heads too. You won't believe what EFI is worth on ebay. If you want a daily driver, stick with EFI, then again my carb setup ran great. I don't think a 500 carb would be big enough for your combo. Maybe a 600. You can always tune to specs.

Jason