MSD atomic EFI

[whichonetodrive]

I'm looking at the MSD Atomic EFI kit for my cobra, wanted to check to see if anyone has this kit and how it works ? how ez is it to install and what I should keep my eye out for any problems. here is the website for it Atomic EFI - Atomic makes EFI easier than easy

[olddog]

First time I saw this one.

Some general comments:
1) The ECU is in the throttle body, which is a fairly warm place for computers.
2) They do not say if it is speed density, but it most likely is. Speed density does not play well with radical cams and low manifold vacuum at idle.
3) They say it will control timing advance, but the video didn't explain anything about how to do that or what ignition system is required.
4) They say nothing about what the air fuel ratio is at different loads and if you can adjust it. Nor do they say how the system determines what the engine load is.

It may be a decent system. My take is there is a whole bunch not said and too much how easy it is claimed. I would like to talk to some independent experts who have tested one, before I purchased one. Good luck.

[weendoggy]

I've been using the Powerjection PIII for three years and I saw the Atomic at SEMA last year. I wasn't too impressed talking with the engineer's on what it can do. It's a self learn no operator input system. So, if you need to tweak it, good luck. The PIII uses a laptop IF you want to tweak (I advise that) or you can let it learn yourself. It also uses a wideband O2 sensor for tuning.

From what I know and see, both units are easy to connect to an existing system. Biggest thing is getting your fuel pump installed if you have a carburator now. I run an in-tank pump (EFI is pusher, not puller).

As for the CPU in the TB, not a problem. The fuel acutally cools the CPU while passing by. My CPU runs about 100-120 degrees while running. Oh, I can obtain data from my PIII system and not sure if the Atomic can do that. If it can, how would you get it?

[ReMorton]

....see if they will lend or donate a system to you, with install of course, for evaluation If iits all its cracked up to be, they'll sell a bunch. Might be worth a shot...

[whichonetodrive]

thanks for the replys, from what I understand lone star performance here in dallas has installed over 30 with no problems other than a car that had over 650 hp. which required a higher pressure fuel pump, my car already has a electronic fuel pump so just replacing with the fuel pump that comes with the kit.
MSD does come with a hand held controller for set up and they told me it can be used to calibrate the system for smooth driving.we called MSD and they said it will work with no problems with my Mallory unilite, really only sounds like I have to pull the exhaust and have it drilled and tapped for the O2 sensor and a return line to the gas tank,which they tell me is needed due to the heat we have in texas. should be a fun week. I will post on how it goes during the week.

[olddog]

I just read the FAQ. They do answer a lot of my questions. I'm very interested in your progress.

Are you going to let the ECU control the timing?

I never saw a price. What does it cost?

[PeteF]

The red ERA car now being advertised here has the MSD Atomic EFI system installed. You can watch the videos in the ad to get a feel for how the car runs with it. Looks and sounds pretty cool.

[fordracing65]

Depending on hp you may or may not bigger injectors, a return fuel line is needed especially if you live in a warm climate, I heard the msd is a better system than both the fast and the powerjection systems, any of the engine builders on here could tell us more, would love to hear from them, comparing it to a good carb setup would be interesting.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by weendoggy

I've been using the Powerjection PIII for three years

Don't mean to highjack the thread but I'm about to set my FE up with a PIII system and wondered if weeny had any sugestions? I'll be using a 1/2" feed line and a 3/8" return on top of a 462ci FE.

thanks, Steve

[whichonetodrive]

the MSD unit is 2,199.00 plus welding the for the O2 sensor and some extra hose for return line after looking at a new holley yes the price is high but tired of messing with carb's and want the damn thing to start and run right all the time.

[fordracing65]

I would love to see a comparison with a well tuned carb like a Quickfuel carb, vs one of these EFI systems in price, overall performance, mpg, etc, it seems like its an inbetween. Carb - self learning efi -and a stand alone efi.

[whichonetodrive]

From what I have read and been told a well tuned carb will out run any efi system but the problem is with the amount of ethanol in the fuel we are getting, and its going up in the next couple of years the carb will have to be recalibrated and Im not interested in that, since I have owned the car for 4 years and most of that the only problem I have had with the car is carb related. I dont race the car just would love to get in the car turn the key and enjoy a great day of driving not worrying about if its going to make it or not. I have enough stress in life dont need more when Im just driving around. LOL

[weendoggy]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

Don't mean to highjack the thread but I'm about to set my FE up with a PIII system and wondered if weeny had any sugestions? I'll be using a 1/2" feed line and a 3/8" return on top of a 462ci FE.

thanks, Steve

You'll need to estimate or know your initial torque to start with in the Fuel Wizard. You can also go to an 80# injector if needed from the stock 62#, but I don't think you'll need them.

I would setup the system as a linear vs. rpm based becasue it'll be much easier to tune. The PIII forum Professional Products Forum is a very good place to get answers to your questions.

Are you getting the latest ver. 3.0 with ignition timing? I think that's what's being offered now.

Your fuel lines should be more than adequate. Run the system with at least 45psi and you don't use the vacumn port on the regulator. I adivse using the return line as you do and not their returnless system.

As for HP, the EFI units will produce more HP and better driveablility than any carburator can give. Try running your carb'd engine at high altitude from sea level and see what I mean. No changing jets in EFI, saving and installing different setups in EFI makes tuning easy. Everybody has their choice and that's my opinion. I've been through the entire gammit from carb to EFI in my career and EFI is better imo.

You should be able to pickup and unit in the $1500 range. I'd also run an in-tank pump as they are quieter than outside the tank and EFI uses pushers not pullers so the pump would have to be lower than the output (or equal to) of the tank.

[lovehamr]

Weeny, by torque, do you mean what the engine puts out? If so I don't have to guess, at least not with a carb. I dynoed it with a 1050cfm Demon and it twisted the dyno to 497#. Is that a number I'll need?

Steve

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by whichonetodrive

From what I have read and been told a well tuned carb will out run any efi system

Well, yes and no. Tuned on a day to day basis at each track, that might be true, depending on who's doing the tuning.

Once the carb is tuned, that's what it is. Winter, summer, wet, dry, high altitude, etc; that's pretty much what it is. Vacuum secondaries will compensate for altitude a little bit. But that's pretty much what you get.

A good EFI system will "retune" itself on a moment by moment basis. Once tuned, it will maintain that tune in pretty much every condition, every day, for years on end.

A carb only has a couple of tuning circuits - idle, cruise and WOT.It works well, is simple, and inexpensive; but not always that accurate.

EFI is expensive and complex. It has multiple avenues for direct and indirect feed back. It has maps to modify for various temperatures, pressure, etc. It's very accurate in nearly all situations.

It's like comparing a shotgun to a sniper rifle.

[weendoggy]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

Weeny, by torque, do you mean what the engine puts out? If so I don't have to guess, at least not with a carb. I dynoed it with a 1050cfm Demon and it twisted the dyno to 497#. Is that a number I'll need?

Steve

Yes, but you may not want to start that high. A larger torque setting will put more fuel at low end and less at high end. To fine tune, you'll spend some time data logging, driving, data logging, driving, etc. However, once done, it'll be great. Example, I have a 331+ stroker with aggressive cam at 350 torque setting. I raised it from 300 and it made a huge difference.

The system will "learn itself" but if you help it, it'll take less time to learn.

[whichonetodrive]

I picked up the system today and everything looks pretty straight forward, pulling my exhaust tomorrow and have them drill and weld for the O2 senser. will work on it this week and keep eveyone up on how its going

[chomama1]

My FFR has 302 w/standard Ford FI and I do not like the look. I wanted to get the Atomic to put on dual quad manifold, but that won't work; it can only do one EFI unit on an engine, not two.

I'm looking for a little more rad look for the engine. So, I'm back to saving for the Inglese stack system, computer controlled.

[Fordfe]

Have it on my cobra with no problems. Easy to control all facets of tune with handheld controller. Can tune on fly and timng control works very well and is tune able also!

[Fordfe]

Have on my car with no problems, very tune able system and can even be done on the fly. Timing feature is nice too. Would recommend over laptops cuz they don't fit in my lap well while driving.