Hey All,

I'm about the half way point of rebuilding my 454 block and one of the things I'm considering is going to EFI, Proably the F.A.S.T. System or Edelbrock system.

Is anyone else considering running EFI or converting? I did do a search, as well.

For those who have done the switch, was it simple to do, did you configure via PC or did you use factory settings?

I'm running a FAST wideband box. Good unit. However, if I was doing a system right now I'd go with FAST's new XFI box, Big Stuff 3, or AEM if I was watching the dollar amount or I would go with a Motec if money was no object.

There are other very good options out there too like Motec, Electromotive, AEM, Haltech, and on and on and you can even adapt factory computers (the Ford EEC-IV comes to mind).

I'll steer you clear of the Edelbrock system. It is PROM (chip) based and you can only tune it so much with the handheld unit; after a certain point you need another chip burned. A fully programmable unit (as I listed above) are far more advanced and tuneable units which will not be hampered by needing custom chips burned. Wideband is also a VERY nice option to have, although not entirely necessary.

Also, there is no such thing as a "factory" setting; you will have to tune it yourself for your specific application.

Another thing: don't skimp on the extras needed, such as baffling your fuel tank or a surge tank (EFI doesn't like momentary fuel starvation problems, which you WILL have if you try and run a stock tank), a good fuel pump, good pressure regulator, etc. Make sure you factor all this stuff into the total cost of the retrofit, and I'll warn you now-- doing it right will probably cost quite a bit more than you're currently thinking.

Troy

Hey Tony,

Thanks so much for the advice! I've been leaning toward the FAST system myself, and have heard those things about the Edelbrock setup too! My block is coming togeather quickly and its getting pretty exciting (and costly). I won't be able to purchase this system for a couple of months as I've just bought new AFR heads.

Whats your defintion definition of a stock tank? I actually a short time ago replaced my 30year old tank with a new one / repo. Just replaced fuel pump in Jan as well. I was thinking I was gonna have to spend about the $2500 mark for the system. My other car is getting older so I'm hoping on driving the chevelle everyday to work (40miles round trip), so I'm figuring/hoping the EFI will pay for itself in time.

The car is just a rolling/suspension complete frame and won't be out on the road till next year, but still need to plan ahead. In my area (SF, Bay Area), it would be about $60-$65 to fill up the chevelle tank. Ouch...

It is not the age of the tank, it is the design. These tanks are very shallow and very wide. Just perfect for maximum fuel slosh.

I am in the process of converting over myself with almost all of the parts accumulated. The fuel system is the biggest hassle. You have to run a return line for most systems. And you can either sump your tank or, as I am doing, run an external surge tank. The surge tank does require two fuel pumps though: one low pressure to feed the surge tank and a high pressure to feed the motor. Engine return feeds back to surge tank and surge tank overflows into fuel tank. There is an example using a water filter housing floating around on the internet. You use an in-tank EFI pump mounted in the filter housing.

Then there is high flow and pressure fuel filter requirements.

I am going to use an Accel Gen 6 ECU with an older Stealth intake setup. This is a long runner design and should be lots of fun on a bbc.

Hey,

Thanks for the info! Wow, I didn't know any of that at all!

How much have you sunk into this project so far?

How much have you sunk into this project so far?
Ummm... I try not keep track of that data. Much easier to disavow any knowledge of the secretaries actions that way ;-)

It does add up though. It has been quite awhile, but I think I picked up the basic Accel gen 6 DFI and intake setup off of Ebay for $1300?

I have spent $100 on the EFI fuel pump at Auto Performance Engineering (lots of good fuel pump info BTW). Scrounged the low pressure pump.

Spent another $50 on basic steel fuel line from Inline Tube.

Probably another $100 in incidentals I would guess. Stuff like water filter and fittings.

I probably have another $100 to go before I am done. Maybe. I hope :-)

You can probably build a system used for 1/2 the price of buying new; keep that in mind!

A short time back on Ebay I saw a FAST wideband box with a big block manifold/rail/throttle body/fuel injectors go for $1400. Just the FAST box alone new would run you about $2100.

If you don't *need* new, you can save a LOT of money buying used.

Troy