SPEED DENSITY, MASS AIR ALL THE SAME CRAP I'VE BEEN HEARING OVER AND OVER AND OVER..........

Learning as much as possible about Ford EFI systems, I'm fed up with it all and I want to change my beautiful F-150 over to carbuerator induction. I already have a 300hp 302 from a '85 'stang I had. Reguardless of the engine I put in, I can foresee some install problems.

How can I use the existing fuel lines to feed my carb? I figured I could TEE off the incoming/return lines to a pressure regulator?

And has anyone ever used the EFI throttle plate on top of the intake plenum to pull a carb linkage? See I want the tranny downshift cable to function without major afro-engineering!

With a 3 speed C-6 auto and 9" rear w/ 31 spline axle I know my truck can handle alot more than my anemic speed density system has to offer. I've done everything I could for it, though, 2-1/4" true dual custom exhaust w/ headers, 10deg timing advance over stock, 8mm wires with hi fire coil, ex crown vic hwy patrol engine rebuilt w/ shaved heads and polish exhaust ports,ect,ect. It is alot better than it ever was stock, however I'm weary about messing w/ the computer or any chip.

If anyone has ever succesfully done this swap, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!

 

I was talked into a conversion to a carb engine almost a year ago.The mechanic[?] convinced stupid me it would be quick/cheap; it was neither. After he ruined an engine, smashed the box in, and gave up, I began my salvage. It has been a long, steep learning curve, that I have both cursed and enjoyed-but not at the same time. Now I have a truck that works about as well as other carb trucks I have owned; I still miss FI convinence but this has become an education I wouldn't trade now. THINK HARD about it before you do it. This website holds alot of the information you will need, along with most of the encouragement if you decide to go this way.

 

I would have thought you would have more responses by now. I will be the first one to be pro carb should you wanna make some higher hp numbers a little bit cheaper. But in your case I can see how either way would be good for you, I guess this is your daily driver and well appears you have done some things to move in the right direction so with that money invested in your efi engine, maybe you could put a different cam in your mustang donor motor and put a chip in your truck to get it going right, it would probably feel better with more torque than the cam that was in the mustang. What kinda swap issues do you think you will have? ON another note you have the carbed motor your c6 is non computer controlled so all you would need is a kickdown lever from a carbed motor and the bracket that goes to the carb for the kickdown and run a vacuum line to the modulator to make that sucker go. As far as carb throttle linkage most folks just get a lokar or custom cable of some kind you can get a carb linkage of say a 86/87 (if 87 get one for the 351 as the 302 were efi but the 351 was still carbed) truck from your local autoparts store that should drop into your truck no problem for $35. You could either run an adjustable fuel pressure regulator on the current efi fuel pump or disconnect it electrical wise and just run a fuel line to a mechanical pump. I don't think since you already have the carbed 302 and your truck I guess is a 302 so everything should swap right over either way you go. Just a thought later

 

Thanks for the insight, JW, you seem to feel the same as I do about it. I really don't have alot of money in this motor (under 1,500). I guess I've already made the choice, this truck is going CARB'd! I just needed some positive support! This truck is not my daily driver, it could be, if I loose my company truck! The main problem is the speed density system not being able to adapt to things like hot cams, more air ,ect. Unless I get down and dirty in depth with this aging system, it'll be stuck in stock mode, and any drastic modifications to intake especially will/has had adverse effects on performance and running characteristics.
I considered converting to mass air, which seems to me to be the Godsend EFI system. However it costs alot of $$$$ (like $2000)!
Or, alot of tech manuals, a junkyard donor, and an attitude! Like you said, I just thank God that my tranny is'nt comp. controlled. So I'll do my best to make the carb engine swap. That'll be a ways out, though. I am just trying to gather info from nice guys like you before I take the dive. Something I should have done with the system that is in there now!!
But it runs good actually great for now so I have time to clean up the other motor and inspect and change gaskets for now!
When it happens, I'll be sure to post on this page and maybe have some good advice to share with other people with the same vision!!

Thank You!
J. Malone

 

Just so you can better determine which way you would like to go I thought I would throw out there that a conversion kit from speed density to mass air can be found for $400 using stock throttle body for a mustang motor but then again I don't know what if any differences there are between two 5.0's. Follow the link. Efi is nice but I cannot say anything bad about someone wanting to go with a carb especially if they want some more get up. Check that link out and see what you think, I am sure that is all you need however I am learning as I go on the speed denstiy and mass air conversion. later

http://www.steeda.com/store/-catalog...conversion.htm

 

I am about to check out that link you showed me. Just wanted to answer back so as not to be rude. Thanks so much for your help, man if that conversion kit is $400 and relativley easy install then away I go! If not then I'll soon be shopping for a nice Holley. Either way you'll prob. see my next post. Thanks again,

J.malone

 

Well I just looked at that link, didn't take long to realize that this could be exactly what I need! I'm not looking for a headache, just an easy way to make more power. If I can avoid revolutionizing my engine compartment then Hey! Anyways, that Steeda place is only 20min. from my house so I'll be there bright and early tomorrow morning to be asking plenty of questions! I don't have a computer at home, so I'll post everything I find out on Monday. Looks like its a computer and 3 parts. Have a good weekend!

 

Ouch!!
That kit is for a Mustang, totally different for a truck. The kit for a truck is just under $700 (new).

FWI it will cost about the same to convert to carb using all new top quality parts (intake/carb/linkage/ignition/distributor). A lot cheaper if sourcing from the wrecker.

I compared the two myself and have also decided to go carbed with my new motor, it's just a matter of pref.

 

For reference - MAF conversion.

 

I thought about possibly going carb'd on my 87, but there is a lot of computer controls and wiring that must be taken out and/or bypassed in order to run a carburetted motor. If you are up for the challenge, then go ahead. My personal opinion is that the MAF conversion would be much much easier than converting to carburetor. You said that you didn't like the speed density efi because it was old technology and not adaptable to new things, but carburetors are much much older technology than even the first generation of EFI. Just some things for you to think about...

 

Well if you wanna piece the kit together check these links out the first on gives part numbers should you wanna go to a salvage yard and/or dealer. If it were me I would get a computer out of a maf truck just in case and well I am like that if it came out of a truck it should go in a truck, either way it would work though, probably no different just saying. later


http://www.stangnet.com/tech/maf/massairconversion.html

http://www.corral.net/tech/powerplant/maf_tech_2.html

 

Thanks so much for everyone's imput. How easy is the $700 dollar install kit to hook up, 90Fmoney?
JW, I did not get a chance to go to STEEDA on SATURDAY. I forgot about our local union picnic(LU349 Electricians) and I'm still a little fuzzy.(Every year it's our mission to kill the beer truck)! So excuse me if I do a type-o! It's 7:00am here in M.I.A.. Anyways I stopped in here to my shop this morning to pick up a breaker hoist (fo large breakers in switchgear). I'm gonna it use to get the 302 off my porch and down to my buddy's house today. So I figured I'd see what's new out here.
I did however get the number to STEEDA on 411. The hrs are Mon.-Fri. 7:30am est to 6:00pm. and Sat. from 8:00am -12:00pm est. The phone # is 1(954)-960-0774
I actually just called and got thier after hrs line. You can order a free full-line catalog for 'stangs and trucks!

I've been rodding around in my F-150 all weekend,though! The weather down here has FINALLY started to cool off. And around here (MIAMI), on a cool early Sunday morn. is about the only time you can drive around and open up a ballsy 302! Traffic is a real B***h down here!! All that truck needs is about 50 more hp and it'll be fine by me! The cool air really makes a difference!

Anyways I'm gonna go load my hoist so I'll see what's crackin' tomorrow morning. Try to have a good weekend.........what's left of it!!

 

From what I understand, from other members, it's pretty easy. Have heard it only takes about 45 minutes.

 

Well I went down to STEEDA on Monday to see what they have goin' on over there. The place is freakin' huge, all kinds of bad *** stangs everywhere. I mean they have bays full of cars, lightnings, anything with a Ford motor......but when I went into the sales office, I was less than impressed with the help I got. There was like 10 salesguys with thier own desks, so I pick one and the guy doesn't know anything. I was told they discontinued the SPEED DENSITY to M/A conversion kit. Then he said they were phasing out truck performace alltogether! (Except for lightnings). So I took a catalog, but thats not helping anybody either because it is geared towards 4.6L motors and 'newer' model stuff.

So anyways on Sunday I managed to get up early and I loaded up my 5.0 motor, breaker hoist, tools and a couple cinder blocks in the truck. My buddy and I pulled the heads and accessories off the motor. I pulled it outa the car complete! Looks like it was running a little rich, there was alot of carbon! So I took a bunch of digital pictures of the accessory layout and took the heads to the shop to be taken apart and baked. I should have them back like today. So on Saturday I can take them back down and my friend will help polish up the exhaust ports. I already ordered my cam, rocker arms, and spring kit. After we do our damage to heads, I'll bring 'em back to be slightly shaved and 3 angle valve job. I'm gonna leave the bottom end alone, the cylinders look good and it ran great-no smoke- and I know the oil never got less than amber colored since the last rebuild!

I figure once I see a bright blue bad *** 5.0 on the porch that'll be inspiration to drop it in!! See ya later.

 

Are you referring to the carbon on the heads or in the intake, if in the intake that is due to the recirculation of exhaust gases. You might want to weigh what it would cost to mill and port your existing heads against the cost of ready to bolt down gt-40 or gt-40p's it will be close and the p type do require the special headers if you will but they run $220 from central coast mustang and if you need headers anyway that is no big deal. The gt-40p flow better than the gt-40 and either will flow better than any reasonable port job on your existing 302 heads. Just a thought something to think over. Sounds like you should go back and sit at another desk at steeda and see if he/she knows anymore than the other, you might be surprised. Good luck, later