Discussion has been circulating at that local hang-out between car enthusiasts over what type of fuel delivery is better. I am here to offer my opinion along with facts. I will admit that I am a little bias toward EFI, but will offer my 2.5 years of training and 5 years of experience concerning this matter. Carburetors have been around for over a century. This is a device that, simply put, delivers the amount of fuel an engine needs in relation to the amount of air that is pushed through it by atmospheric pressure. Carburetors work on a pressure-drop principle in which I will not go into great detail other than when tuned properly for atmospheric and weather conditions, carburetors work very well. There are many types of Electronic Fuel Injection on the market today. I will touch base on 3 major types known as: Throttle Body Injection, Port Fuel Injection, and Direct Fuel Injection. All of these systems are controlled by very similar computer systems and related sensors. Throttle Body Injection is the most simple type of EFI and the closest to carburetion in operation. Fuel is injected above the throttle blades by one or more fuel injector nozzles. Both fuel and air are carried throughout the entire intake tract. Port Fuel Injection is the most widely utilized form of injection today. Fuel is injected at each intake port, usually at the cylinder head and intake manifold. Only air travels through the intake tract until it reaches the point in which fuel is injected. This method allows a wide variety of intake system designs to be explored and utilized depending on application, thus making super- and turbo-charging extremely feasible. Direct Fuel Injection is a new technology. This system utilizes injectors similar to diesel engines in which fuel is injected directly into the cylinder. Obviously cost is high due the custom cylinder head configuration and high-temp injector required. Not much is known about this system relating to performance
usage be the foundation has been laid for previously untold amounts of attainable power potential.
But carbs only cost $200 compared to $1000 for EFI system and programming hardware/software. Where are the savings? Well, $200 is just the initial cost of the average carb, new. Later, jet kits, gaskets, various diaphrams, and springs are required to maintain and tune carbs. Most efi systems have a highway mode operation in which fuel can be saved during periods of cruising that don't effect any other driving period. Personally, I have experienced a 4+mpg gain in fuel mileage utilizing such "built-in" features of GM EFI systems. Cost savings are selfexplanitory, not to mention the time you save by simply sitting at a computer to tune your car instead of disassembling a carb. What kind of features does EFI offer over carbs? Well, simply put: a carburetor just sits there. A typical GM EFI computer system can be programmed in the following areas: Fuel Delivery based on MAP (Manifold Pressure), TP (Throttle Position), RPM, ECT (coolant temp) Spark Advance based on MAP, TP, RPM, ECT TCC Lockup characteristics based on TP, VSS (Vehicle Speed) Highway Mode Air/Fuel Ratio based on MAP, TP, VSS, Time Open Loop A/F Ratio and Power Enrichment Changes Closed Loop parameters Manifold Air Temp influence on timing and A/F ratio Idle Speed based on ECT Transmission Shift firmness and Shift Points (electronic automatics) Cooling Fan(s) Operation besed on ECT, VSS Trouble Code Parameters and Much, Much More....
EFI
Excellent Excellent
Skill Level Required: Initial Cost: $200+ Long-term cost: Performance: Turbo-compatible: Supercharger-compatible: N2O-compatible: Emissions Friendly: "Wow" Factor: Reliability: Fuel Distribution:
(Port and Direct) (Port and Direct)
Average $1000 (typical) High Good Poor Depends Good Poor Fair Good Fair Limited 6 8
Advanced
Manageable Better Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Unlimited 12 2 -You be the judge...