The EFI myth

I have two cars with FiTech systems installed. My Barracuda has a Weiand Tunnel Ram with the dual quad kit. These throttle body injection kits are, for the most part, carbs that you can tune digitally. Instead of changing jets, you adjust your AFR in a menu. Need more pump shot, go to the menu and adjust your accel pump settings. There is also timing control, which is a real benefit to these systems, which a lot of guys do not use (which is a mistake). The one difference I see between tuning a Carb and these FI kits is that when tuning my carb vehicles, I would monitor the vacuum readings - whereas these FI systems are monitoring MAP.

Having your car wiring in good to great condition is a MUST. Also, if you are a guy with your battery in the trunk - you need to still run certain wires ALL THE WAY BACK to the battery - not a junction point. Good, strong grounds in all the right places are also a must. I'd also recommend an in-tank fuel pump, and not an external.

Like I said, I have two cars with these throttle body injection systems (FiTech) on them - and they are are doing great. In fact, my Barracuda had a trouble-free 1500 mile trip in June. Ran great, got around 10-11 mpg with me driving like I didnt care about gas mileage. My '70 340 Dart still has a carb on it, and I probably won't change it over, because it has run fine for the 21 years it has been on the road.

One thing I really like about these systems is data logging. I can be out cruising, or at the strip, and hit a button on the controller, and it will log a a ton of data. I enjoy loading that data onto my computer and checking out all the data and referring back to my settings. I can also make tuning changes, and then compare the data results from previous tunes to see if I improved it or not.

You still have to read spark plugs though! The AFR readings are only an average of the cylinder bank that the o2 sensor is installed in the header collector. So, old-school spark plug reading is still a necessary tool if you are trying to squeeze every last bit out of the tune. The self-learning part of these systems can get you probably 90% there-especially with a engine using a mild cam. (wild cams with a lot of duration & overlap require more attention) Heck, most guys with carbs are running around on a tune that is probably only 75-80% optimized, and since carbs are very forgiving, they can't tell a difference.

Just my 2 cents, guys!