EFI Conversion Kit

[rmchrgr]

What are you guys talking about rewiring the car? Mine has the original 66 wiring still.

First, there's no way I'd be driving any car with 60 year old wiring whether it was EFI equipped or not. Can it be done? Sure. Would I willfully choose to? No way. I won't get into why so you can draw your own conclusions about that.

2nd, if you've done 20 of these then you should understand there is basically no point in going through the exercise if you're not going to let the ECU control the timing. I'm also sure you're aware it's 110% impossible for the ECU to control timing with an OE style electronic distributor anyway but if that's what you want, go for it.

Do you use the software to tune these installs? Have you built custom fuel and spark tables? Have you made changes on the fly? I'm guessing no. If you just rely on the initial, generic 'Wizard' tune you're leaving power and efficiency on the table. It's sorta like having a race car that you only drive to the mailbox.

Yeah, Holley pushes the whole 'plug and play' idea which is how they get their foot in the door to sell this stuff but to get these things optimized takes more time and effort than most people are willing to put into it.

 

[themechanic]

Figure out a way to access the in-tank pump without dropping the tank. Get an oversized tank if you road trip the car really pays off. Got mine from Ricks Tanks, El Paso. Fits like a glove with an extra 2 gallons or so. Cost just short of $$$1 million.

Did you buy the door that goes on the trunk floor for acces to the fuel pump?

 

[Dennis H]

Yep. Fabricator said it wouldn’t work with floor configuration. Sure would have come in handy.
I too don’t get the wiring concern. Except for the box upgrade for ac and power windows, mine is mostly original and ready for spontaneous combustion.

 

[66 Sat]

A question for the OP - why are you "looking to ditch the carb"? Are you having a specific issue?
I'm not against EFI in general, but a good carb can be perfectly reliable, start on the first turn of the key after sitting for 2 weeks, run clean, and get good mileage.

Plus they look super cool...

 

[themechanic]

A question for the OP - why are you "looking to ditch the carb"? Are you having a specific issue?
I'm not against EFI in general, but a good carb can be perfectly reliable, start on the first turn of the key after sitting for 2 weeks, run clean, and get good mileage.

Plus they look super cool...
View attachment 1800160

That's why I won't EFI another car. Like Dennis said, it's very expensive and comes with a host of new problems and parts that will need replacing at some inconvenient time and place.

 

[Dennis H]

Sorry, not the OP. But, I was very happy with the 850 Demon. However, in Reno at 5000 feet and 100 degrees it would not start hot. Period. With cool South Bay breezes and Sea Level at home no problem. Side effects are nice though. No fuel in oil for starters. Really cleans things up.

 

[66 Sat]

Sorry, not the OP. But, I was very happy with the 850 Demon. However, in Reno at 5000 feet and 100 degrees it would not start hot. Period. With cool South Bay breezes and Sea Level at home no problem. Side effects are nice though. No fuel in oil for starters. Really cleans things up.

Valid point - location can play a big part, especially elevation. Where I live at sea level I have no issues. Don't need a choke, even in winter, and haven't had any hot starting issues even at 100 degree plus, but heat plus elevation would be a bad combo I'm sure.

Having a good carb in proper tune is the most important point. In 6 years and 15,000 miles I haven't had a carburetor issue yet, and that's across the original ancient 700 D/P (good but old and very heavy), a 1850 Holley 600 V/S (great carb), a 650 AVS2 (underwhelming), and the current favorite a 650 D/P Street H/P.

Poorly set up systems get blamed, whether it's carburetors or EFI.

 

[rmchrgr]

Poorly set up systems get blamed, whether it's carburetors or EFI.

I agree with this. Sometimes you have to put some effort into this stuff. That's why I said it's not worth the effort if you just putt around every so often. If the carb is problematic, figure it out and fix it. EFI is not a magic bullet and it's not for everyone.

 

[themechanic]

Sorry, not the OP. But, I was very happy with the 850 Demon. However, in Reno at 5000 feet and 100 degrees it would not start hot. Period. With cool South Bay breezes and Sea Level at home no problem. Side effects are nice though. No fuel in oil for starters. Really cleans things up.

There's a product called Carb Cheater that will automatically adjust the air/fuel mixture based on climate and elevation. It's less than $500. Pretty slick.