Cats on TTI exhaust system
I'm in the point of my life were I have the budget to spend on my hobbies and come from a mechanical engineering background so I don't mind learning and tweaking with things. It's going to be a long learning processes as I'm not in a rush, my hobbies are more about learning and implementing my knowledge.
I recently saw some videos where David Freiburger spent a long time tuning the carb on his Duster. It surprised me how much tinkering he had to do with how long he has been working on older cars. This is making me lean to EFI.
My main mission it to enjoy my duster while being environmentally responsible. Simple things like taking used oil to the collection station and not dumping it down the drain.
First, who do you know pouring oil down the drain? Damn.
I would say if you really want to dig into it, learn where the data comes from, how to tune for it, like to see improvements over time, then a carburetor is for you.
If you want to really dig into efi and learn to tune and see improvements over time you can do that. Both, changing tune as need be.
If you want to hit the easy button, get the efi (or carb) and have a pro install and tune it to your application. Take it back to them if you ever need.
One thing we didn't discuss was how far could you be away from home. EVEN IF you learn your EFI to a gnats *** you could break down and be waiting for days on replacement parts. Roadtrip sound good? With a carb you could get any repair parts you need in almost any town. Dave Freiberger just switched to the Slayer 600 vacuum secondary carb like I am using. I want to drive my Duster like he does, I just need a GV for road trips. I was on the fence with the carb/EFI and then my dad had the problem with Holley Sniper. What would DF do? Well, he went to the carb I already have. Since I wanted all the things EFI gives you I decided to get the gauges I needed for the data I need to tune a carb properly.
My only thing against EFI is the getting stranded thing. I would just want to be able to be run back to the house to grab my truck and trailer. My prospective EFI car would not go on overnighters without being trailered. Think race car.
With the carb, A/F ratio gauge and O2 sensor, vacuum, and tach you will be able to run as clean as EFI in most every situation. Learning the tuning and equipment better is going to be required in both cases.