This has likely been asked before but need to know what you think is the best set up for a seasonal driver. I'm ready to order a crate motor but having trouble deciding on which one. I thought I'd like to have efi for the economy they provide but most crates are set up for carb and have more HP ratings. I'm at the age where I don't think I'd be tearing up the streets, besides this old trucks will get enough attention from the law if the were coasting down a hill in neutral,lol.
What's your spin on this?

 

myself ..I like the simplicity of a carb' no wires to figger out no error codes to learn ..I can grab the linkage and see things move..EFI is nice for economy ,and ..there is something else that others like..but if you enjoy your truck for the sanity ,and being able to work on it yourself (whether it need's to be worked on or not..)go with a carb...

 

I took a hard look at this one when choosing EFI or Carb this summer.
I liked it because it looks like a carb from the outside & comes with it's own standalone programming. I ended up being too cheap & went carb. but I may move this direction as I continue to tinker in the future.

Carb-to-EFI Conversion Has Never Been EZer

Ben in Austin

 

Personally I'm going with the EFI. I bought a low miler donor car that comes with a 5L AOD. There are quite a few FTE 'ers going this way, and I think the reliabilty and fuel economy is worth the extra time wiring it up. If I would have bought a crate motor or low miler carbed engine I probably would have gone the carb route.

 

I am doing efi in the next two trucks.. one GM (5.3l from a 2001 Tahoe) and one Ford (4.6L DOHC 32v from a 1998 Lincoln Mark 8 LSC)..

both will do about 300hp stock. good mileage (24+) easy start, etc..
the harnesses are easy to mod, and they will look cool.

reference sites:
LT1 Swap for the GM
Ford Fuel Injection for the Ford.

Sam

 

Maybe I am an old soul but I do not like efi. I love a carb and even in horrible shape they get you home. I only try to buy vehicles with a carb its not the technology that scares me I just dont get the point and complications it brings. I feel the benefits do not out weight the cons.

 

I would go for a carb.

Gas mileage may be better for EFI but due to the size, weight, and limited use of the vehicle, it would take a while to recoup the increased cost vis-à-vis a carb set up.

I applaud those that have the skills and patience to install an EFI but for me, a simple carburetor is much easier to put in and tune.

 

As most of you know my panel has been built on a 72 chevy frame and I was given a 90 silverado pickup for the drive train. This motor was a high mileage motor that only put out 195 hp more than enough to power the panel but looking at these crate motors that are putting out 300+ hp kind of makes me wish for one of them. The sensible side of my brain says just get the replacement and stick with the tbi the other side of my brain that controls my right foot says go for the powerhouse
How important do you fellas feel about the amount of HP?

 

In my opinion, horsepower is up to the individual. Nowadays, with the price/type of fuel and the clampdown on speeding all over the country, I will be happy with a good sounding exhaust and the power that comes with a 5L engine out of a Lincoln Town Car. The truck will weight considerably less, so I think it will launch just fine. My 2cents.

 

In all likelyhood I'll probably go with the replacement. If I knew for sure that ecu that came with the 90 would control the later 96-99 motor with the vortec heads, I'd go with it just for the extra 55hp.

 

I am going with a port injection system on my Ford Flathead V8 - Why - One carb wouldn't be enough for the Look - Multi carbs are a pain - I want dependability - and Because I want to. It will also have computer controlled electronic ignition.
WHAT, THATS NOT TRADITIONAL - Multi carbs didn't come on Flatmotors - The mechanical fuel injection I tried to run in 64 didn't come on the 47 Ford V8
Change happens - You can buy an electronic fuel injection with computer control and as much other stuff that you want at a decent price - Install it yourself then have the neighborhood geek download the setup you want from the internet and plug it into you onboard computer - These things adjust you motors as needed - Hit the load pedal and away you go - get to speed with a rush, let off the gas and it sets to cruise
Its easier than sliced bread

 

Sounds interesting Dick. Do you have a link to that system. I'd like to check it out. I'm having a tuff time making a decision.

 

this past summer I got to run my truck on a dyne to see what she put to the ground ,,,all 68 horsepower ...(pony power??)rated at 106 hp 50 years ago ..and you wanna run 300 ..yah i would too but not on this ol' truck like I keep saying it's your truck enjoy it like you want ..

 

Don't think my truck would have ant trouble handling 300+ hp as the frame I'm using handled a big block 396. Like I said I'll likely end up settling on the stock 90 motor that's around 200

 

I'm old school and not smart enough to work with it but the reality is that this is the future. I need to step aside and let the kids take it forward....