Why do we install carbureted engines in our Fords?

[kaptnkaos]

Hey RobRoy...

FE's came with carbs...
While they may not be as fuel efficient as computerized engines they're simple and easy to work on.
Many of the guys here have put EFI engines in their trucks, several others have put desiels in as well.
Just about anything goes...
Well except for putting a POC chevy engine in a bump, that'll get ya flogged around here...

KaptnKA S

[Texas69]

I think some of it has to lack of knowledge about FI me especiallyand FE's didn't come with fuel injection.Just my ':2cents:'

[kaptnkaos]

I have been trying to replace a simple fuel filter in my '95 Caravan with EFI 3.3 liter.
I have the manuel and know what to do...
Now, I have to find a pressure relief tool # C-4779-1 that is included with fuel gauge # C-4799-A...
wwwwuuuuzzzzuuuuppppwwwwiiitttdddaaaatt
The book don't show no pics of it.. so I don't even know what the heck to look for... no one even knows what the heck a C-4779-1 is...
If I wuz changing fuel filters on my '68 CS I wud have been done yesterday in 10 minutes... if that long...
AAAARRRRGGGG !!! I hate these things

Nuff said...

KaptnKA S

[rubiranch]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Dragon]

I am carburetored but am looking at TBI by Xmas for better mileage and good power.

[DuckRyder]

It is all about the money...

[robroy]

Hey Folks,

So if money is a big factor, are FI engines really that much more expensive (considering that performance FEs can be over $10k)?

Thanks for the great replies!
-Robroy

[DuckRyder]

I think it has more to do with return on investment and value, coupled with use of the vehicle.

My truck is not a daily driver nor my only vehicle. It is sort of a plaything. Even with a 450.00 carburetor it fires right up and by the time I get to the end of the neighborhood it is running like it is warmed up. It should be making over 400hp.

Would it probably run a little better, make a little more horsepower, and get a little better fuel mileage with EFI? YES. Is it worth an extra $1000-$3000 to me for it to do that? NO.

Thinking of it another way, if you are building a hot rod carb motor that cost $10,000.00 it is probably a $12,000.00 motor with EFI, so that is a 20% premium for probably about a 5% performance improvement.

[averagef250]

From the high performance aspect there is little advantage to EFI over a carb. a 300 HP engine is still a 300 HP carb or EFI.

The real advantage is the simple fact that 90% of those out there with an old carbed vehicle that like to fiddle with their motor and bolt on shiny parts and claim to have 400 HP really have about 200 on a good day. The reality is that a 250 HP EFI V8 will run smooth as glass and stomp the p*ss out of so-and-so's 200HP 400 HP chromed out and loud carbed V8.

That and So-and-so spent $5000+ on his 200HP 400HP V8 and, though sounding good, actually runs like a$$. Someone like me spends $500 on an EFI 351W, some 24lb/hr injectors and a used cam off craigslist and packs his lunch from stoplight to stoplight. I can also fire my EFI rig up when it's 10 below outside and it starts instantly, runs smooth and warms up quickly. It always runs exactly the same, no matter how hard I run it and has excellent low end torque and street manners.

[DuckRyder]

Do these modern, carbureted FEs have any technical advantage over computer controlled fuel injected engines?

Back to the original subject, no modern carbureted FEs do not have any technical advantage.

Remember as well that putting EFI on a motor which was never available from the factory is a whole different scenario than swapping in a modern EFI motor, or EFI onto a motor that had it later in life from the factory.

Don't get me wrong, I like EFI. I tell the BMW and VW folks there is absolutely no way I would remove functional or repairable EFI in favor of a carb.

[robroy]

Thanks for the informative comments guys!

[19674x4]

another objective is dealing with altitude changes. although tuning a carb for altitude is simple as adjusting air/fuel mixtures, it still involves pulling over, taking cleaner off and doing it, where as fuel injection, you dont even have to worry about it

[robroy]

Hi 19674x4, that's interesting. As altitude increases we're supposed to tune leaner, correct? Because of lower air density?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[Dragon]

another objective is dealing with altitude changes. although tuning a carb for altitude is simple as adjusting air/fuel mixtures, it still involves pulling over, taking cleaner off and doing it, where as fuel injection, you dont even have to worry about it

In the old days going to the top of Mt. Evans (14,000) required a lot of rough running even if you were jetted for 5000 ft. Black smoke and all. My 98 taurus SE 3.0 went to the top with out a glitch.

Yes robroy 1 jet size smaller on a Holley or Autolite for every 2000 feet above sea level. My 80508s 750 Holley went from 70s on the primary to 68s and runs great at 5000ft. I was down to 8mpg with 70s and black plugs.

[j41385]

I see, thanks folks!

I think for younger guys like myself fuel injection isn't as mysterious because we learned about it at the same time or even before learning about carbs. Sure it's more complex, but it's also easier in that the computer tells us what it thinks is wrong when it's not running right.

-Robroy

Well I am a young guy (23), and I dont want Electronics, or computers running things in my truck, if I did, I would buy a newer one. Simplicity is the key to reliability.