Club Cobra - EFI or Carb?

Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/)

- 429/460 Engine Talk (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/429-460-engine-talk/)

- - EFI or Carb? (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/429-460-engine-talk/73819-efi-carb.html)

EFI looks trick, but does the real cost of conversion validate all the many claims over a properly prepared carb? Does anyone have valid data (i.e. gas mileage, dyno tests, etc.) after performing the conversion?

I don't have any first hand numbers, but based on what I have read over the years, here are the equations to my way of thinking:

- Performance - if both are well-tuned it is almost equal, but EFI might have better driveability.

- Cost - Carb wins by a long shot. You can get a nice carb for $600-700 (yes i know there are better deals, and much more expensive deals). EFI could cost from 3 to 4 times that much.

- Mileage - EFI wins. But if a carb engine gets you, say 10-12 MPG, and EFI could get you 14-15 MPG (a lot also depends on gearing) on a big block, how many miles would you drive to make up the difference? At 3.00 per gallon of premium, at 10 MPG it would cost you 30 cents a mile with a carb. With EFI assuming even 14 MPG it would cost you 21 cents per mile. So it would take you driving 22,000 miles to make up a cost difference of $2,000.

In my case driving 2-3,000 miles per year max, that is a lot of years to make it up.

Bottom line is go with what you like best and are willing to pay for. There a many that have gone to EFI and loved it, and there are those that went back to carbs after trying it, so be sure to get a proven solution for YOUR application.

Hey Hemphill....

I still have the intake manifold, rails and injectors from my old engine. Im trying to get $650 for them. I paid more than that for the intake!
you can get a "megasquirt" EFI system for around 5 or 6 bills and almost be in business.
Youll still need an electric pump, regulator, throttle body.
(505)250-8565
Gary:)

In addition to comments above, don't forget about sound and low-rpm rumble as part of the equation, if its important to you. Gotta few friends around my neck of the woods who spent a lot of money and extra time on converting from their nice carb/intake setups to the latest/trickest fancy looking fuel injection. In all four cases only to find it worked so clean and well with EFI they lost a notable amount of the rumpity-rumpity feel and sound as a result. Easier starting and warmup - Yes. Good smooth power - Yes. As much fun - Maybe yes or no depending on who you ask. As noted above, like others, a few of them want to switch back to carbs after losing a bit of that notable Cobra idle and raspy sound. Just my .02 cents before you spend. I was ready to go there myself until I saw the before/after results.

Typically, EFI systems run the idle lean or stoich (14.7:1 or leaner). Typically, carb engines are tuned considerably richer at idle.

If you want it to sound more carb-ish, add fuel and don't use closed-loop idle control. Not hard to do with most systems, but wastes fuel at idle.

Stick With The Carb,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,