could anyone help?

[tosc]

i have been looking for a 87-93 mustang for a few months. i found one with the following...

1990 Mustang LX
289ci(65),
302 heads,
hyd cam 284 294 dur., 474 498 lift,
Wiend intake,
600 Holley carb,
C4 w/shift kit,
373 gears,
pony headers,
4 core rad.,
pertronics ign kit.
Race shifter (original shifter incase you do not like the race shifter)

i was just looking for any opinions...how you think this set up would work...how much hp would you guess, ect.
thanks for any help/.

 

[jrichker]

A.) It won't pass emissions: if it is a strip only car or there is no emissions testing in your area, that is not a problem. Nor can you legally title the car in an emissions regulated area.

B.) Most carb conversions on EFI cars are hack jobs done because guys don't understand computers & electricity. There are a few exceptions here on Stangnet, but they are just that: exceptions, not the norm. Exceptional work is done by exceptional people

C.) Don't plan on getting any kind of gas mileage. With gas at $3.00 a gallon, and still going higher in price, that makes a difference. It is very difficult to get a carb'd car tuned for economy and still have good performance. EFI beats carbs hands down in that area.

Here's what to look out for on the EFI to carb swap:

Wiring harnesses chopped up and spliced together with electrical tape, loose and dangling hoses, fuel lines spliced together with 3 types of fittings speak of ignorance and sloppy workmanship.

The engine should have an external electric fuel pump unless the the timing cover has been changed for one with the mechanical fuel pump mount on it. With all the EFI wiring out, the computer controlled fuel pump won't work. The car should have a relay & switch and the existing inertia switch wired in for an external low pressure electric fuel pump.

Do not use an EFI in tank fuel pump with a carb. You will never get the pressure/flow regulated properly. Either go full EFI or use a tank/fuel pump/fuel lines out of an 84 or earlier Stang. Using two fuel pressure regulators isn't a good plan either.

Watch out for leaving the EFI computer in place in an attempt to control either the electric fuel pump or ignition. It won't do either correctly in a carb system.

While you are at the electrical part, look for a Durspark or similar ignition system. The EFI ignition depends on the EFI sensors to advance the spark. Rip out the TPS and MAP/Baro sensors and the computer will have no idea of the proper ignition timing for best performance. Running a fixed timing setting is only for test purposes or for a race track only car. Don't try it on the street: the results will not be nearly as good as a properly setup Durspark or equal.

 

[R2D2]

if its a carb the last person you want to chime in is Jrichker, unless its efi, its junk

 

[jrichker]

if its a carb the last person you want to chime in is Jrichker, unless its efi, its junk

.
I was probably fixing carb cars while you were in diapers. The start of my professional mechanic days was in 1964 when I was 18. Lots of first hand experience fixing every kind of carb from single barrel Rochester’s and QuadraJets, Holley's & Carter AFB's to SU's on sports cars to. I have spent the last 14 years with the Mustang EFI, and I have never seen a carb that can beat it.

Carbs definitely have their place, but a daily driven emissions & mileage friendly environment isn't one of them.

My main concern is that a newbie not get a hack job carb conversion and then be saddled trying to figure out some nightmare wiring scheme. Trying to straighten out someone else’s mess is a job I wouldn’t wish off on anyone.

As I said before, exceptional work is done by exceptional people. Maybe you are one of them who takes pride in a job done with excellence, I don’t know…

 

[R2D2]

.
I was probably fixing carb cars while you were in diapers. The start of my professional mechanic days was in 1964 when I was 18. Lots of first hand experience fixing every kind of carb from single barrel Rochester’s and QuadraJets, Holley's & Carter AFB's to SU's on sports cars to. I have spent the last 14 years with the Mustang EFI, and I have never seen a carb that can beat it.

Carbs definitely have their place, but a daily driven emissions & mileage friendly environment isn't one of them.

My main concern is that a newbie not get a hack job carb conversion and then be saddled trying to figure out some nightmare wiring scheme. Trying to straighten out someone else’s mess is a job I wouldn’t wish off on anyone.

As I said before, exceptional work is done by exceptional people. Maybe you are one of them who takes pride in a job done with excellence, I don’t know…

Here you go again with your assumptions. You should probably know who you are talking about before making those assumptions about them and yes you told me about your career already. I have met many guys in my time that been doing it for 40+ years and are still hacks. Not that I would assume you are Carry on!

 

[jrichker]

tosc, I you you an apology for the spitting contest that has broken out between sbftech & myself. We both have valid arguments and each one has it place. However, it hasn't been much help for you in giving you solid information to help make your decision. All I can say is before you buy any fox Mustang, know what was done, how well it as done and what the local emissions requirements are. Quality workmanship is a must in keeping these cars running great!

 

[tosc]

tosc, I you you an apology for the spitting contest that has broken out between sbftech & myself. We both have valid arguments and each one has it place. However, it hasn't been much help for you in giving you solid information to help make your decision. All I can say is before you buy any fox Mustang, know what was done, how well it as done and what the local emissions requirements are. Quality workmanship is a must in keeping these cars running great!

well thank you both for the help though. when i go to look at the car again i know what to look at now at least. my father works with the guy that owns the car now, so i wasnt too worried.
and oh yea, no emissions tests in michigan, lol.