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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3477 Location: Houston,Texas 346819.60 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 10:53 pm Post subject: Aftermarket EFI, my humble opinions |
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ive installed just about all of the popular systems. even a Hilborn stack setup. some i wouldnt use again. however, there are some decent ones out there. heres what i have experienced.....
FAST EZ EFI:
i dont like it. i always have to run through initial setup over and over, playing with injector sizing, to get it even remotely close. even then, it takes forever to learn. i would rather use a carb.
MSD Atomic EFI:
better but still has its issues. you need a fresh motor. anything not right and it freaks out. ive had connector issues with pins pushing out as you put them together. it still doesnt seem to have enough adjustment. im not crazy about the timing control either. i can never seem to get one to run REALLY good. always just "acceptable". i can still do better with a carb and good ignition box.
FAST XFI:
functions pretty well but can be a lot of work tuning. you certainly need to know how to tune if youre going to use this system. with a good tuner, this system is tough to beat.
Holley HP/Dominator EFI:
my personal favorite. similar to the FAST XFI only it has a "learning table". this is great because you can get it close, drive it until it learns the fuel table, then transfer that table over to the main VE table. takes a lot of time out of the tuning process.
*Edit* a lot of the data, during initial setup, has to be manually entered. this has been a struggle getting used to after being spoiled with EFI Live. i find myself going back and hunting for that parameter that i overlooked.
Factory EFI Systems:
well, they are what they are. very sophisticated. enough tables and adjustments to thoroughly screw something up. if this is what you have, dont mess up a good thing. find a good tuner and be happy.
i wrote this because i always have people asking me these questions. again, these are just my opinions based on what i have experienced personally. i hope this helps someone on the fence about how to fuel their engine. _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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Last edited by 10sec.et on Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:11 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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SMOKEmUP PostMaster

Joined: 30 May 2002 Posts: 3169
65097.54 points
1979 Chevrolet Camaro
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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What about Megasquirt? Any experience with it? _________________ Stop running from your pain and embrace your pain. Your pain is going to be a part of your prize.
I challenge you to push yourself. |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3477 Location: Houston,Texas 346819.60 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 1:07 am Post subject: |
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i have not. i actually forgot about that. i wouldn't mind getting my hands on one to check it out. here's another one that looks promising.... http://www.mastmotorsports.com/view.php?id=234&c=26&s=5
i didn't get to tune it but i did have my laptop hooked up and got to go through some of the tables. its pretty in-depth. reminded me of the GM computers. lots to adjust. _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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Paul P Member

Joined: 15 Aug 2002 Posts: 2408 Location: Townsend, Mass. 81731.10 points
1971 Chevrolet Chevelle
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 7:41 am Post subject: |
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There are a few more that I would guess to be worth a try.
BigStuff3
Accel Smoke?
Edelbrock Smoke???? Ha Ha _________________ 2001 Focus 2.0 Zetec
stock cams, bolt-ons and tune
15.63@87 MPH 1/4mi
1971 - Chevelle 408 SBC N/A
6.86@102.5 MPH 1/8mi
10.78@122 MPH 1/4mi
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af2 Member

Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 5558 Location: grassvalley, ca 71227.76 points
1933 Willys Coupe
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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Paul P wrote: | There are a few more that I would guess to be worth a try.
Edelbrock Smoke???? Ha Ha |
I heard someone in Mass has Edelbroke tatoo'd on his behind.... |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3477 Location: Houston,Texas 346819.60 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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one of the main issues i run into on some systems is they can be ridiculously overly complicated to use. i know how to tune an engine but navigating the software can be a nightmare. unfortunately, the only way to know is to try it. considering how the hotrodding world is gravitating to LS builds, i would want one that supports drive by wire, sequential injection, a MAF, and the ability to control a 4L60 or 4L80. if Ford is your thing, you probably want to be able to tune cam timing and such on the mod motors. transmission control as well. _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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clay Moderator

Joined: 24 Nov 2002 Posts: 3209 Location: South Carolina 318129.23 points
1972 Chevrolet Nova
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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I really appreciate your input on the different systems. You were going to be my go to guy for information on them but I haven't anybody show me the money to actually do a conversion. Several talkers but that's as far as it ever went. Clay _________________ I have done so much with so little for so long, I can now do anything with nothing. |
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SMOKEmUP PostMaster

Joined: 30 May 2002 Posts: 3169
65097.54 points
1979 Chevrolet Camaro
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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Paul... I haven't used edelbrock EFI. The system I have is the Accel made in the early 90s, it runs on DOS! YUCK.
I use HP Tuners for my 02 Camaro. I'd recommend it for anyone with a factory LS. _________________ Stop running from your pain and embrace your pain. Your pain is going to be a part of your prize.
I challenge you to push yourself. |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3477 Location: Houston,Texas 346819.60 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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HP Tuners and EFI Live are what most are using for the factory stuff. both are great. i use EFI Live. _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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af2 Member

Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 5558 Location: grassvalley, ca 71227.76 points
1933 Willys Coupe
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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10sec.et wrote: | HP Tuners and EFI Live are what most are using for the factory stuff. both are great. i use EFI Live. |
I wish I new someone here that had a EFI live. I would gladly pay the $100 vin to eradicate the EGR on the 03 Duramax. BUUUUT then I couldn't run the stage 2 Hyper that gets 3 more miles to the gallon and way more HP and Torque......  |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3477 Location: Houston,Texas 346819.60 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 12:51 am Post subject: |
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speaking of tuning software..... i bought LT1 Edit from these guys http://www.carputing.com/
its pretty straight forward and simple enough to use. their customer support is great. that being said, they aren't going to teach you how to tune if you don't already know how. you will need some basic tuning knowledge. i would highly recommend them if you're tuning late model stuff. _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3477 Location: Houston,Texas 346819.60 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 12:52 am Post subject: |
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Adam, if you can find someone with EFI Live, you wont need that Stage 2 Hyper  _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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Paul P Member

Joined: 15 Aug 2002 Posts: 2408 Location: Townsend, Mass. 81731.10 points
1971 Chevrolet Chevelle
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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SMOKEmUP wrote: | Paul... I haven't used edelbrock EFI. The system I have is the Accel made in the early 90s, it runs on DOS! YUCK.
I use HP Tuners for my 02 Camaro. I'd recommend it for anyone with a factory LS. | Not saying you used Edelbrock EFI but I know your opinion of Edelbrock so I thought I would put it there.
I forgot to mention SCT the old Superchips Tuners. Mainly does American ECMs. I have one for my Focus. The software is $425 and I haven't bothered to purchase it just because it really wasn't affordable and required training. _________________ 2001 Focus 2.0 Zetec
stock cams, bolt-ons and tune
15.63@87 MPH 1/4mi
1971 - Chevelle 408 SBC N/A
6.86@102.5 MPH 1/8mi
10.78@122 MPH 1/4mi
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phydeaux Member

Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 84
3114.12 points
1997 Oldsmobile Aurora
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:43 am Post subject: |
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I would like to get into factory EFI tuning one day. Naturally I want to start with a PCM that has ZERO effing support (Siemens Simtec 5.g). I have the pinouts for the thing and the diagrams for the twin Infineon chips, but it looks like I will have to barebones reverse engineer the software from scratch. Lord knows I have plenty of time on my hands. :roll: _________________ FASTER!!! FASTER!!! Until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. |
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10sec.et Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 3477 Location: Houston,Texas 346819.60 points
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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phydeaux wrote: | I would like to get into factory EFI tuning one day. Naturally I want to start with a PCM that has ZERO effing support (Siemens Simtec 5.g). I have the pinouts for the thing and the diagrams for the twin Infineon chips, but it looks like I will have to barebones reverse engineer the software from scratch. Lord knows I have plenty of time on my hands.  |
i dunno, tuning is hard enough on a factory system without handicapping yourself with something like that. its not impossible but i don't see how the ends justify the means. at best, you will spend countless hours working on an oddball efi setup only to have mediocre performance. sure its different but wheres the fun in spending more time working on something, with lackluster performance, than you do actually driving it. its a car. by nature, you're supposed to be driving it. _________________
af2 wrote: | It seems we can look at our magical Balls and come up with a fix?
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