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Fuel injection advice

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uberbeans

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I am doing research on upgrading to fuel injection and have narrowed it down to either buying the Edlebrock Performer RPM Pro-flow for roughly $2300 or buying a factory Tuned port set from Arizona. The up-side to the Tuned port is that it is emissons legal and could be cheaper. Conversely the Edlebrock is brand new out of the box and easier to tune. The Tuned-port would be set up for the motor by the vendor. Part of me likes the idea of using a factory set-up. Admittedly, I am a noob and any advice about this subject would be appreciated.
 
How complete is either system? (down to the fuel lines?)

If neither of them is that complete, I'd probably look at getting a TPI setup yourself and going from there. Last I saw a complete one, $500 was the going rate. Even with new injectors and a couple of sensors (if needed) you'll be under $1000. New tank, lines, pump, etc., you'd still be under that $2300 figure. (edit: re-read your sig...TPI is going to choke your motor)

I'm not saying the pro-flow isn't worth it, I don't know enough about it. But typically you pay a lot for a "nice looking" system that isn't any more functional than what you could find yourself. You also pay for the perceived "plug and play", which really equates to not understanding how it all ties together, especially for troubleshooting.

Factory systems are probably going to be easier to find parts for if you break down somewhere, but at the same time, I'd be surprised if Edelbrock recreated the wheel. They probably picked factory components (not necessarily only GM) that do what they needed them to do, and built the system up from those.

Of course, TPI is also limited for upper end, and as it comes hardware wise, is undersized for a healthy 350. You start talking aftermarket intakes, fuel rails, etc., the cost climbs significantly for TPI.

You don't HAVE to burn your own chips for it, you could probably have someone like tbichips.com do it, it's the same process TBI/TPI, although obviously they are different systems, he can likely do both.
 
I had a TPI unit on my 85' pickup I got it from street and performance. they used the stock e.c.m. from GM. simple to hook-up .BUT better research what cam your going to use . there is a small range to choose from that will work properly CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH.
 
The TPI set up's I have seen are tuned for your application. My 383 doesn't breathe above 5000, anyway. Sounds like it is becoming pretty custom and the cost will go up. The upside to the Edlebrock is that it will be "chipped" for the cam and heads already since they are Edlebrock already. You just tell them what you have and it comes ready (supposedly). The Edlebrock is rated at 1000cfm. Down side it that it isn't emmisions legal. The TPI won't be either, but it will look stock when you pop the hood. I think I am kidding myself because the day that I have to pass smog I'll start looking for a 6.0. What do you think?
 
If you already have edlebrock product then go with there unit. It cannot hurt to have a complete system. Especially since it was engineered to work with there product.
 
If you can afford the Edelbrock system I would highly recommend you go that route. I have installed a few of those systems and they are a very complete and pretty well designed kit. The only thing it doesn't come with is a distributor, but it does come with the components to modify an HEI to work with the system.
Tuning is a lot easier than with the TPI, just click a few buttons on the included hand held and you can adjust timing, idle speed, fuel maps etc.
The only downside is they don't have a knock sensor so make sure you keep the timing conservative and listen for detonation.
 
bigblock72 said:
If you can afford the Edelbrock system I would highly recommend you go that route. I have installed a few of those systems and they are a very complete and pretty well designed kit. The only thing it doesn't come with is a distributor, but it does come with the components to modify an HEI to work with the system.
Tuning is a lot easier than with the TPI, just click a few buttons on the included hand held and you can adjust timing, idle speed, fuel maps etc.
The only downside is they don't have a knock sensor so make sure you keep the timing conservative and listen for detonation.
Click to expand...

I wonder if you can use an aftermarket knock sensor?
Thanks for the advice.
Where do you work that you have installed these kits?
 
The computer (made by Magnetti Marelli) does not have the capability to interpret a knock sensor. If you have to have a knock sensor then you'll have to go to a GM computer, or a Holley system has knock sensor capability as well as most of the more expensive aftermarket computers.
I've worked with the Holley systems with the Commander 950 computer and they have some very impressive features for the money but they are quite a bit more complicated to tune compared to the Edelbrock system.
I have my own shop and I specialize in this kind of work (mostly on Jeeps at this point) and also do general repair work and most cars.
 
Don't dismiss TBI either. Using www.DynamicEFI.com Embedded Lockers ECU, emulator, wideband and a laptop you can tune TBI or even TPI to suit any motor set up. Have a look at www.thirdgen.org pages on DIY Prom tuning, specifically the 'tuning with EBL' thread.
Cheap, good and strangely adictive to tune!!
 
All great advice. I wasn't sure about the Holley because it seemed like a TBI and all I have heard is people wanting to upgrade from the TBI. Like I said I'm a fuelie noob. With the money for this upgrade it really pays to do the research. Thanks to all. I'll post a thread letting everyone know if ya'll are interested.
 
uberbeans said:
All great advice. I wasn't sure about the Holley because it seemed like a TBI and all I have heard is people wanting to upgrade from the TBI. Like I said I'm a fuelie noob. With the money for this upgrade it really pays to do the research. Thanks to all. I'll post a thread letting everyone know if ya'll are interested.
Click to expand...
For sure, let us know which way you go and how you get on. We all have our own preferences here so you'll get good advice which ever way you go. Me, I'm hooked on EBL. Anything I inject in the future would most likely be with EBL for it's cheapness, simplicity and easy tuning. Every system is going to have it's drawbacks and limitations, you've just got to decide which one is best for you and your driving style.
 
uberbeans said:
All great advice. I wasn't sure about the Holley because it seemed like a TBI and all I have heard is people wanting to upgrade from the TBI. Like I said I'm a fuelie noob. With the money for this upgrade it really pays to do the research. Thanks to all. I'll post a thread letting everyone know if ya'll are interested.
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with TBI, its just that the stock GM TBI can't handle much power or a very big cam. GM TBI can't handle much more than 200 hp.

The holley commander 950 TBI is meant to handle whatever you have. It can handle 5-600 hp, depending on which injectors you get. That still gets my vote.
 
38377k5 said:
There's nothing wrong with TBI, its just that the stock GM TBI can't handle much power or a very big cam. GM TBI can't handle much more than 200 hp.

Excuse me?????? Stock 5.7L TBI is rated at 210 HP and that rating is at the output shaft of the trans.. GM 5.7 TBI will easily support up to 280 HP on the stock stuff. If built right
Click to expand...
 
280x2 (EBL supports 4 injectors, so dual TBI if you wish, or modded x-fire setups) is pretty decent.

But the cost of dual TBI's, goofy intake, etc., is probably prohibitive, and still not as good as port EFI. :)
 
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