The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 235 EFI Upgrade

Hey all, Just saw this available on ebay. Looks like he is offering a single and dual carb setup. Does anyone have any experience with these at all?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274886394027

We had a guy come through a year or two ago who was making a very similar looking thing. He didn't like a lot of the questions that got asked about it.

Looks like it is the same guy, based on the name:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1440071/261-efi.html

To answer your question, I still have significant concerns about his design (such as putting the MAP and injectors above the throttle plate.

Given that you still have to buy a $1500 controller to go with it, there are much less expensive options on the table that have the backing of major companies (Holley, etc) behind them.

Required electronics: https://www.fuelairspark.com/ez-efi-2-0-multi-port-retro-fit-self-tuning-engine-control-system.html

It might have something going for it, but short of seeing some demonstrations/dyno tests I am going to remain skeptical. The shop here charges $100 for 3 pulls on the dyno.

A fellow Stovebolter, DB Cooper, has installed a Holly Sniper unit on his 216 and reports excellent results. It was designed for the Ford 200-250cid I6. ( He details his setup in a thread on this forum)

It is virtually a bolt on product with an adapter and runs about $1500. Like Fib, I'd rather use a known brand name with a proven track record.

By excellent results, I mean it works perfectly and he doesn't have to deal with the usual carburetor issues. it isn't installed for added horsepower or anything like that.

RUN- - - - -do not walk away from that one! The size of the air cleaner element alone tells me that it's a P.T. Barnum Special!
Jerry

I just don't see the benefit of chasing rainbows for no good reason.

Early GM thhottle body injection systems had their problems too, compounded by the fact that they were new and not well understood. When GM went to port injection they had heat soak problems with the injector pintles associated with wax content in the gasoline. GM finally told the oil companies that unless they cleaned up their act they would specifically dis-recommend their gasoline. There was also the problem of carbon buildup on the backs of the intake valves necessitating pulling the intake manifolds and blasting the valves with crushed walnut shells (seriously). Bosch also had this problem. Bosch used a mechanical system, K-jetronic, and these worked better and had way fewer problems than the earlier LE-Jetronic (mostly electronic controls) aside from dirty injectors and rusty warm-up regulators caused by bad fuel of the70s and 80s but they were a lot more expensive.

Adapting an FI system or even using a "bolt-on" kit from a known good source is a major undertaking and you'll still have the problems associated with bad fuel which ethanol has made worse unless you run them everyday.

Carburetor hassles can be eliminated by finding a good core for a Carter YF or Zenith 228 and carefully overhauling it with parts from a known good source (Zenith or Carb King). These are well-known systems and the problems have long since been worked out as discussed daily here on Stovebolt. The biggest carburetor problems are for the guys wanting 100% originality with Rochester carbs. The two 228s I run have not been touched in many years other than to adjust the main and idle jets for altitude and fuel quality. The throttle shafts are now worn but it doesn't seem to affect anything. Ethanol doesn't seem to affect them and the rig runs well throughout the RPM and load range. Any injector mods I do will be to my 98 Suburban.

Many of those issues did exist 30-40 years ago when fuel injection was being developed, but any non-direct injection system from thr last 20 years has moved well past it.

Ethanol causes far more problems with carbs than fuel injection systems these days.

After looking at that, the only thing that has going for it is a 'neat-o' unique retro look. But sounds like the EFI pod is only a fraction of what's needed. ECM and all extras are extra?
Sounds like going for a Holley EFI (has everything included, including the ECM and controller) that is a good known product is the way to go.
I think my Sniper setup including HEI distributor and O2 sensor with full harness was $1100 as of 2 years ago. Prolly $1500 now.

You are very optimistic. The base kit is close to $1500 now. The HEI system is even more.