newbie here ! i am in mist of a resto project on my 1979 f150 super cab 4x4 bought off original owner. after all sorts of carb issues i bit the bullet and am installing a fitech system. motor has cam ,double roller, heads reconditioned ,valve,springs,guides,pushrods,.. all redone plus headers and 3" duel exhust and edelbrock performer intake.before swap i was average 5-8 mpg /puke! raw fuel out exhaust carb was a quickfuel 600cfm could not find a good tuner so that's what lead me to this swap. anyone eles done this swap and what improvements have you noticed? thanks!

 

Welcome to FTE - lots of good people here and often willing to help!

Sounds like an ambitious project. I've no experience with the FiTech, but how did you handle the high pressure fuel? New pickup/pump or Command Center?

Anyway, we love pictures - they're each worth a thousand words.

 

I have not installed one myself. A shop here locally was installed several tho. I have not heard any negative comments about the system and I have seen a few with the command center there at their shop in person. I ultimately would like to do one of their systems on my yet to be obtained super cab myself honestly. I would however not do the command center. I will mod the stock fuel tank and do a drop in fuel pump . I look forward to your feedback. I will see if I can get some feedback from the shop owner.

 

A buddy of mine put one on his 390 Galaxie & said it was super easy!

 

i will post pics of the install after i get my truck back. i went with command center myself and cant wait to give her a try! was not sure about keeping motor and this system is an easy swap to what ever motor i plan on going with. i know the upgrades that were done really woke this motor up but had a bottom end bog i assume was poor carb adjustment hopefully its a thing of past with the fitech.

 

Hi there, I have about 2 weeks of driving with mine now and am fairly happy with it. Stumbles once in awhile . 98% of the time it is spot on with good cold and hot starts. Mine is a 79 4x4 351m c6, I used the command center as well .
Good luck!

 

Awesome upgrade, especially if you are having to rely on shops for carby tuning!

The biggest thing with EFI is making sure the sensors are giving reliable readings to the control unit, otherwise you will run into problems. Eg a poorly installed coolant temperature sensor will make the engine run rich when it is hot, or lean when it is cold. Once all the sensors are in properly it should be reliable. Modern motors with stock EFI are much the same - sensors dying send the engine into 'limp mode' or give poor running.

As for carbys, most all I have bought needed resetting to the factory tune. Most people tune them without any clue, changing several things at once until it runs 'good'... which usually means great at wide-open and garbage most other places. In my experience resetting to factory will solve 90% of problems about 90% of the time, with the next most common fix being to go to a slightly higher power valve (eg a 9.5 instead of an 8.5) and/or slightly later vacuum secondary spring to help fix a bogging throttle.

Let us know how you get on with the FiTech!

- boingk

 

I have the FiTech on my 78 400. Love it. One of the best things I did to the truck.

 

Now that is just pure SEXY!!!


OP, I think the FiTech is a solid choice. I agree on the horrible mileage of the 351M; I'm sure you will see a good increase in MPG.




t

 

here are my pics.. seems to run ok but needs some fine tuning. test will come in winter when its 35 below 0 but should have all bugs worked out by then.

 

update! am i ever impressed with this system. about the mileage ,now i know my quick fuel was not in good tune but my mileage has doubled! not even a joke and its still not fully tuned! no raw fuel smell,no stumble bog fart when cold ,just fire up and drive away. good throttle response nice and snappy and smooth idol.

 

Hello rusto , good to hear you are having good luck with your system! Have you made many adjustments? I am finding mine has a bog after a hot idle.. like when your in a fast food drive thru. What are you accell settings adj6sted to?
Brent

 

hey brent, i will look tomorrow after work but what works for me might not for you. what have you done to your motor and is it a 351m?

 

Yes I am running it on a 400 and pleased. Only gripe is it's not as self tuning as advertised. You will have to tune starting fuel stuff, fuel transition stuff and possible some idle settings.

there is a fitech owners group on Facebook that is immensely helpful. It's a private group, u have to join to see posts

 

I unterstand that you need the EFI-Kit plus the command center. Around 1400 $, is that right?

And what is the exact EFI model to choose, my truck is powered by a 351 with 4bl Holley.

Gerhard