TBI systems vs DIY vs each other

[pb]

AFI sucks. Only good if you want to learn everything about EFI in order to troubleshoot their system and you want to be called a liar when they send you the wrong stuff, and incorrect pin instructions.

[Wagoneerlover]

AFI sucks. Only good if you want to learn everything about EFI in order to troubleshoot their system and you want to be called a liar when they send you the wrong stuff, and incorrect pin instructions.

This is the same way I felt about one of the companies out there (You know who). I had horrible experiences and I never even purchased the product. No response to e-mails for purchase inquiries. Outrageous lies about why things were backed up and orders could not be processed efficiently etc. Thankfully I didnt order, however a guy up the road did and just as I thought it was a nightmare to get his product and when it did arrive it was not as it should have been.

[Joe Guilbeau]

Holley Pro-Jection

Been running a Holley Pro-Jection Throttle Body since 1995...no problems except for the Throttle Position Sensor needs to be replaced every several years or so, and don't ever let it get wet!!!

[BigRedChief]

I went the DIY route with lots of help from http://www.binderbulletin.org.

If I had it to do over again I would have spent the time to pull the parts myself to know exactly what they came from. I got a "kit" from someone and it turned out it had V-6 sized injectors. I had the hardest time figuring out what was causing it not to run well. A lot of things ended up getting replaced that probably didn't need to be because I couldn't and didn't inspect the parts myself before they were pulled too.

Another thing... Don't expect any magic bullet for fuel economy with EFI. If anything it will get worse since a lot of carbs tend to run a little on the lean side. My mileage actually got worse. What I was after and what EFI accomplished beautifully is great drivability, starting and idling.

[Dr.E]

First Fuel Injection TPI

I used the First Fuel Injection TPI set up.
They basically improved on the GM TPI MPFI system.
The customer support was fantastic!
I live in So.Cal. and the owner of the company came to my house,(He lives in
Wisconsin), to help with the initial start up because he was visiting a relative in the area. Wow! taking time from the family vacation to help a customer!
This is a true story! I buggered up some gaskets...Ken Shuneman sent me some new ones no extra charge! Ken even burned me an extra PROM for my spare ECM no extra charge! The system performs flawlessly!
Great product great price...not much more one can say.

[coiler]

Get the eddy mpfi system and never see tail lights again even in a mild built 401. Simple to setup runs like a new efi car response is insane QT didn't like it after new tranny was installed oh well next weekends project.

[Hutti]

Next time I go DIY

I bought a Howell mostly because I liked the fact of it having a custom wriring harness and all the parts are new and tested. I did have my share of problems with the system but that was mostly because of a bum engine. The quality of the kit was great but left some things out that I would like to have next time.

Now that i had to figure out how to burn my own chips (thanks Bill and Binderbulleting!) I realize what limitations you have with that type of a packaged system. Now I am adding N/P switch wires, AC/Fan on, and speeds sensors to fine tune. Additioanlly, I will have to gut my Dizzy to add spark control.

Chaning the computer to the chips is really no big deal. I had never done before but completed it successfully in a little over an hour. Let me tell you, burning your own chip makes ALL the difference.
Check out Binderbulletin.org and moates.net

[Chris in Idaho]

Adapter Plates

You DIY guys, where do you get your adapter plates for the 258? If anybody needs one please let me know.

[86_J10]

Haltech ecu

It looks like almost everybody is using TBI, I did come across somthing interisting the other day, I am working on a MPFI system for a Comanche that I plan to run at Bonneville. I was thinking of using a Megasquirt, but at the moment it does not support sequential spark or fuel. So i was looking at some of the aftermarket ECU systems, and finally seteled on using Haltech. But in working with them, I fount out that they have a computer that replaces the GM TBI computer. the model number is E6GMX. The advantage is that you don't have to screw around with eproms, and the computer will actually tell you whats going on. Here is a link to the info http://www.haltech.com/index.php?opt...d=53&Itemid=49 So if you already have a GM TBI system or even a wiring harness, you can plug this computer in and get a fully tunable system. It lists for about $890.00 but I am a dealer, so if you PM me i can probably help you out on the price.

[FSJ Guy]

Ouch. That's pretty pricey. For $329, you can get a flash conversion setup and programmer for the GM ECM from Moates.

[86_J10]

True enough, but the Haltech will also give you real time data and can work with a wideband O2 sensor. I think the Megasquirt is the best deal, I am working on a harness to make it plug and play with the GM TBI. $400 for the CPU or a lot less if you wnat to put it together yourself.

[Joe Guilbeau]

The only downfall is that you have to know what you're doing, and it takes a long time to understand and tune (plus soldering together the ECM takes time if you opt to go that route).

This is too funny!

Lord forbid that we actually know what we are doing...doh!

[PlasticBoob]

Ouch. That's pretty pricey. For $329, you can get a flash conversion setup and programmer for the GM ECM from Moates.

My MegaSquirt II came to a grand total of $262 (including shipping) for the ECU. Add $45 for the test stimulator (simulates an engine) if you are unsure of your soldering skills.


Parts are mostly standard, automotive-grade (high temp) off-the-shelf electronics.

The code is open-source.

24MHz, 16-bit processor (versus the GM 8Mhz, 8-bit proc) for fuel control up to 1 microsecond

supports single or dual MAP sensors for real-time barometric correction (SWEET!)

supports single or dual narrowband or wideband O2 sensors

direct timing control (you do NOT need any HEI module to trigger the ECU, so reliability is increased) via a variable reluctor, hall sensor, optical trigger, or even POINTS. Yes, POINTS.

...and it can be reused on just about any engine (not just TBI Chevy/AMC V8s) with little if any circuitry mods. All this with the ability to tune the car directly from your laptop while the engine is running, or set it to "autotune" and just drive around and let the wide-band oxygen sensor do the work. $262.

This is too funny!

Lord forbid that we actually know what we are doing...doh!

Just a little e-sarcasm there! But like I've said before, I totally understand that some people don't want to mess around with tuning EFI - they just want something they can bolt on and be done with, so I understand why those people might not want to go the DIY route. However, from what I have read, I get the feeling that no matter which way you go, you'll end up having to learn a thing or two about EFI.

[FSJ Guy]

Wow! A dead thread revival if I ever saw one!

[Geminiroq]

My MegaSquirt II came to a grand total of $262 (including shipping) for the ECU. Add $45 for the test stimulator (simulates an engine) if you are unsure of your soldering skills.


Parts are mostly standard, automotive-grade (high temp) off-the-shelf electronics.

The code is open-source.

24MHz, 16-bit processor (versus the GM 8Mhz, 8-bit proc) for fuel control up to 1 microsecond

supports single or dual MAP sensors for real-time barometric correction (SWEET!)

supports single or dual narrowband or wideband O2 sensors

direct timing control (you do NOT need any HEI module to trigger the ECU, so reliability is increased) via a variable reluctor, hall sensor, optical trigger, or even POINTS. Yes, POINTS.

...and it can be reused on just about any engine (not just TBI Chevy/AMC V8s) with little if any circuitry mods. All this with the ability to tune the car directly from your laptop while the engine is running, or set it to "autotune" and just drive around and let the wide-band oxygen sensor do the work. $262.


Just a little e-sarcasm there! But like I've said before, I totally understand that some people don't want to mess around with tuning EFI - they just want something they can bolt on and be done with, so I understand why those people might not want to go the DIY route. However, from what I have read, I get the feeling that no matter which way you go, you'll end up having to learn a thing or two about EFI.

Sounds like a sweet deal....I am in So. Cal too!

Are you able to pass smog with this setup and did you source all your parts except the megasquirt?

This sounds like something I can do and I want to learn as much as possible about this. system.

Thank you...