Retrotek in Mustangs and Fords

[Gud T.B. Blown]

Got the lastest issue in the mail yesterday and they did an install and dyno test of the Boss EFI system on a 393 Windsor. The 1200cfm system showed a 12hp and 22lb increase over the 750 carb; and the 750cfm Boss system showed a 2hp and 20lb increase over the carb. In both cases they claim much better driveability and greatly increased throttle response even though they didn't include a road test.
They conclude that cutoff point betweent the 750 and 1200 system is 400 cubic inches even though Retrotek puts the cutoff at 500hp. According to the dyno tests it looks like Mustang and Fords has it right.

 

[mustangman70]

Very noice...

 

[reenmachine]

Yes, more pretty pictures and all the right words but I'm still waiting to hear from someone who has actually driven one. I am planning on using the system on the '68 Bullitt but really want some first-hand testimonial first. It'll have a moderate 350hp new Ford Racing Boss 302 so the 750 cfm version will do the trick.

 

[70vert]

Main advantage is a retro look?

This is a TBI system, correct, not an MPI or SEFI system with rails, correct? Isn't the MPI, of which the most popular right now is the Mass-Flo kit, supposed to offer better fuel metering and improved response? Is this kit just for a retro and "sleeper" look?

Not to start another TBI-vs-MPI, or plasma-vs.-lcd-tv thread, but there ya go. I'm trying to understand the advantage of this kit over other EFI kits, and of course I think it looks better, no doubt, than having fuel rails.

 

[entdoc]

there is a guy on the Factory Five cobra forum (ffcobra) that has used bothe the Mass Flo and this system and touts that he likes this one better. You might go over there and do a search for first hand info. chuck

 

[reenmachine]

This is a TBI system, correct, not an MPI or SEFI system with rails, correct? Isn't the MPI, of which the most popular right now is the Mass-Flo kit, supposed to offer better fuel metering and improved response? Is this kit just for a retro and "sleeper" look?

Not to start another TBI-vs-MPI, or plasma-vs.-lcd-tv thread, but there ya go. I'm trying to understand the advantage of this kit over other EFI kits, and of course I think it looks better, no doubt, than having fuel rails.

Yes, it's a TBI setup and thus has no fuel rails. I think a large part of its appeal is that you can achieve the maximum "stealth" EFI effect possible.

I think that port & TB injection systems will offer similar driveability improvements over a carb, and each has its own advantages. Port should have better throttle response, while I believe TB systems offer a better top end. Also, TBI systems allow another facet of tuning due to the effect of using different intake manifolds.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

Here is link to the Factory Five forums regarding the Boss EFI
http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174434&highlight=boss+efi

 

[brianj5600]

How many dollars per HP is that?

 

[4MuscleMachines]

Here is link to the Factory Five forums regarding the Boss EFI
http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174434&highlight=boss+efi

Nice link, I hope they follow up and post more info.

 

[bnickel]

i like the way teh retro-tek system looks a lot but i can't make up my mind if i'd rather use it or a holley pro-jection system, the retro-tek system looks better but the holley system is cheaper and has more functions including the ability to run a late model TFI dizzy as well

 

[reenmachine]

i like the way teh retro-tek system looks a lot but i can't make up my mind if i'd rather use it or a holley pro-jection system, the retro-tek system looks better but the holley system is cheaper and has more functions including the ability to run a late model TFI dizzy as well

Just out of curiosity, what's the appeal of running a TFI dizzy? The only problems I've ever had running EEC-IV EFI cars have been with the TFI/PIP parts. I was figuring with the Boss EFI I'd run a nice Pertronix billet distributor or something.

 

[bnickel]

Just out of curiosity, what's the appeal of running a TFI dizzy? The only problems I've ever had running EEC-IV EFI cars have been with the TFI/PIP parts. I was figuring with the Boss EFI I'd run a nice Pertronix billet distributor or something.

computerized ignition control and it's programmable even with the pro-jection system so you can create your own timing curves and i think you can even have multiple fuel and ignition map with the pro-jection as well so you can have a daily driver tune and an all out power tune or even a fuel mileage tune for long road trips or whatever. you don't have to use a stock ford TFI dizzy either, you can use an MSD, Mallory or Accell dizzy if you want, i've been wanting to do a small cap MSD TFI dizzy with the Pro-Jection system for a while. this is the system i really want to run on the cougar but for now a while it will probably be a duraspark dizzy, MSD box and some kind of carb, Holley 650 vac secondary with annular boosters, autolite 4100 or a 625 road demon. i'd really like to get my hands on one of the old Barry Grant VFI systems and run it with the Holley Commander 950 computer, if i could have my cake and eat it too.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

How many dollars per HP is that?

It's not just about the added hp, better cold starts, driveability, and throttle respones are the main features to me. Added hp is gravy.

 

[70vert]

how about mpg?

not that mine is a daily driver - it hasn't even hit the 100k mark despite being 38 years old - but the added mpg is a benefit too. It would take a long, long time for that to pay for itself, though, and not to get political, but less dependence on foreign oil is never a bad thing. Adding a 5-speed with OD already added at least 5mpg to longer trips on my ride, and having an EFI should offset the mpg loss by going with the larger stroker I'm putting in, from all the writeups I've read.

 

[brianj5600]

If my wife drove my car I might consider it. After years of driving EFI, I like the feel of a carb. I grew up driving cars with carbs, so it takes me back.

 

[reenmachine]

If my wife drove my car I might consider it. After years of driving EFI, I like the feel of a carb. I grew up driving cars with carbs, so it takes me back.

It takes me back too....to the days of always screwing with carbs. EFI all the way for me, as long as budget allows.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

It takes me back too....to the days of always screwing with carbs. EFI all the way for me, as long as budget allows.

I'm with you all of the way on this. I grew up driving cars with carbs and I don't miss them at all.

 

[htwheelz67]

I dont like carbs much anymore although a good tuned carb or annular carb like an autolite or demon can run great. The retrotek is a little different than most TBI systems as it uses high pressure injectors which in theory should give a finer atomization of the fuel thus it should make a bit more power than low pressure tbi.

Theres also the intercooling effect that mpi does not have so in some conditions tbi can make more power than mpi for that reason alone. I have heard that the VFI from Barry Grant (one of the greatest ideas yet) may be re-released and that in my opinion bridges the gap powerwise between a carb and efi because in most cases at least with port efi the carb usually always makes more peak power and torque yet the efi has better drivability, low end and MPG's.

If you look at the chev ls-1, the single plane carb conversion doesn't give up any low end to mpi and makes more power.

As technology progresses the computers get smarter and tuning a speed density system becomes easier............

 

[bnickel]

if BG does re-release the VFI i'll be all over that like white on rice. i wonder if you'll be able to buy just the throttle body unit itself, i'd still like to run it with a commander 950 computer.

 

[Tech @ BG]

if BG does re-release the VFI i'll be all over that like white on rice. i wonder if you'll be able to buy just the throttle body unit itself, i'd still like to run it with a commander 950 computer.

A new version of the VFI is currently in the development stages but there is not an intended release date right now. Also if you look at our design we have a patent on flowing the injector through a carburetor style booster which in turns promotes much better atomization then some of the other methods being used right now.