Fuel Injection vs Carb Question

rnocobra · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 11:38 PM

Thinking about switching over to injection system and retiring the Holley. Does anyone have any thoughts about this either way? Is there a particular system I should consider?

Thanks all

Velox · #2 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 01:51 AM

Hi MOCOBRA

How about posting a few pics of your SPF and fill in the details - engine etc! This question comes up frequently and a quick use of the search engine here for EFI, fuel injection, stacks, mass-flo etc will bring up many many posts which discuss all of this. The answer is more related to what you are looking for and your driving/showing/tracking or whatever Cobra plans. If it's original look and patina you like nothing beats the look of the traditional 4-bbl Holley inside the turkey pan on top of the side oiler. If you are into the Weber look and like to tune your own software ECU systems then some of the stack FI setups can't be beat. If you are handy with the wrenches and want to do your own install, many kits are out there for home projects. Other sources will do an entire turn-key and tune install for you but obviously the cost goes way up. As an example, I lost interest in my Holley and had many years experience of gaskets drying out over winter, float bowls leaking, stinking rich idles, setting off the CO detectors through my house with even brief startups, cold running struggles, hand choke nightmares etc etc. All of these are easily dealt with, but I decided to go with an EFI setup that sorta looks like a 4bbl, and was based on a fairly common place Ford A9L computer like in the old 5.0 mustangs, which was 'chipped' setup for my engine such that I was able to install it, work thru a few glitches mostly of my own doing, and ended up with a very reliable starts-right-up no stink good power smooth running big block. Mines a "mass-flo" system, search here and especially at FFR cobra and there are tons of posts. A sample picture of mine is included here, I'm sure others will add in the many other EFI options available. Good luck with your plans and keep us posted

white rose · #3 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 07:21 AM

November issue of Hot Rod magazine is all about fuel injection systems.

thorconstr · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 11:31 AM

In 2002 & 2003 when I was researching and planning the build of my Kirkham, I was thinking about dual quads vs Webers vs throttle body/manifold injection vs eight throttle body injection. It quickly boiled down to Webers vs eight throttle bodies as that was the visual and performance area that interested me. I grew up in Connecticut and knew of Jim Inglese and his Weber setups. I talked to a lot of guys with Webers and the tuning issues turned me off. I went online and found a bunch of different throttle body setups. With a lot of research and tons of phone calls I settled on TWM. Over the 4 years that I owned my car TWM was trouble free. Other than performance, there is a lot of WOW factor when you open the hood. I like TWM and the people associated with TWM (Hank in particular) so much that I started selling their products and FAST products (at as much of a reduced price as I can afford). I run group purchases often and am going to run another in November or sooner. You can see the products on my site and email me with any questions. Thanks, Al

www.thormotorsports1.com
thormotorsports1@msn.com

bobcowan · #5 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 12:23 PM

Is it worth it? It depends on your goals. If you want a smooth running easy to drive car in all weather and altitudes, EFI is definatly the way to go. If you want a track car that makes good power at the top end, simple, and che4ap, stick with a carb.

Garage10 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2008, 10:19 PM

Hi Velox and Thorconst
I have a FRP 460 and am considering FI but have a very limited amount of room under hood. What is the hieght of both your systems from the bottom of manifold to the top of throttle body ?
Thanks

thorconstr · #7 (**permalink**) 09-15-2008, 09:28 AM

Brent, From the manifold/block valley to the top of the air horns on a 460 setup, it is 9.5". Thanks, Al

thorconstr · #8 (**permalink**) 09-15-2008, 09:52 AM

Brent, Here's a 460 setup in a Cobra. Al
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...3&ppuser=15065

ByronRACE · #9 (**permalink**) 09-15-2008, 12:14 PM

Here's another 460 EFI setup in a Cobra...

http://www.racesystems.com/cobra/images/Cobra002.jpg

Where there's a will, there's a way. More pics in my gallery.

Byron

Velox · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garage10

Hi Velox and Thorconst
I have a FRP 460 and am considering FI but have a very limited amount of room under hood. What is the hieght of both your systems from the bottom of manifold to the top of throttle body ?
Thanks

Well on mine the mass air meter mounts to the top of the throttle body and requires a decent air filter height above that, maybe not as high as my K&N but you get the idea. From the very back of my engine the bottom of my intake to the top of my air filter measures 12 inches, and fits easily in my SPF.

fkemmerer · #11 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008, 09:52 AM

Brent,

Just in the process of finishing an EFI 482 ci FE/Cobra project.

Check out the following thread:

ERA 753 - Final Assembly in Progress

or my website for some details on EFI:

http://www.anitafred.net/Cobra.htm

http://www.anitafred.net/Vette.htm

I've built two cars with EFI systems now and I would not do another performance car for the street with a carb. Both cars run great and are very streetable with pretty radical engine combinations in them. EFI does cost more and is a little more work to get installed and tuned initially but the reward of better performance, driveability and staying in tune more than pays back over the life of the car I think.

- Fred

PANAVIA · #12 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 04:21 AM

budget 4K then double it.

and get some help with the install and tuning.

thorconstr · #13 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 09:00 AM

When I was building my car, the $3,500.00 extra for the injection, performance, and look that I wanted ended up being about 4% of the total build cost. I thought that every time I had to adjust the carbs or not have the "look" I wanted when I opened the hood, I'd be mad at myself if I didn't do injection. In the big picture, $3,500.00 is a drop in the bucket when your total build is 50K-100k or more. It made me happy, it was worth it!

Steve Gallegos · #14 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 10:13 PM

Try Edelbrock, Iam running a 351W, with 460 hp, replaced the carb with the new Edelbrock pro flo 2 system, the complete system runs about $3500.00. It comes with a program you can set up with your computer. It's a little touchy but they provide great customer service. My machanic had some problems fine tuning it, so I called Edelbrock. They had me bring the car down and leave it at their shop. They dyno tuned it for free and said any problem ever, call them and bring it down. Again great service. You can call Jamey, he's in charge of the EFI program, at Edelbrock in Torrance in California. Good luck.

LudicrousSpeed · #15 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 10:31 PM

Mental Note: Edelbrock in Torrance, right down tha road from me...
Moowahahahahah!!!

Edit: Steve, Picks Por Favor!

HYSTRNG · #16 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009, 06:50 PM

Fred,
I would love to discuss your car and injection system further. I own ERA #740 and have a KC built CSX 427. The shop that I use (I'm in Northern Virginia) is called EB3 and they are an R&D shop for FAST. I have been begging for an eight throttle body system for a year or so (to make the car more drivable). FAST has said they are ready to go but Inglese is saying they need another two months before they release the intake for the FE engines. They suggested going to Hogan to have one made. What manifold are you using?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Damon

Did you have your car painted at Connecticut Custom?