Anyone Fuel Inject their 302?

[Zuubah]

I have been looking at the Edelbrock EFI setup for my Bronc, and was wondering if anyone has any experience with a bolt-on EFI system?


~Z

 

[72bronco]

From everything I've been reading the best bolt on EFI is going with a mass air fuel injection system from a later model Ford 5.0. Seems to me that it would be no more complex to install than buying an aftermarket fuel injection system, plus you can get the parts a lot cheaper.

 

[74bronc]

There are pros and cons to each system. You have to look at your application to decide what system is best for you. Here is some observations from the research I have done as well as from experience I have with FI.

The Edelbrock system looks killer and I have talked to a few people that run them on Chevys (haven't talked to anyone running one on a Ford yet) and the feedback is good. However, you have to keep in mind that repair parts aren't easily obtained and if you have something take a dump on you on a trail in the middle of BFE, you are in a world of hurt. I am sure the system is reliable, but I wouldn't want to be the guy that is 50 miles from civilization when the computer decides it wants to die.

With that said, the FORD SEFI (mass air, specifically) is proven on thousands of vehicles worldwide as a reliable system. Parts are easily obtainable etc. I am going with this system when it comes up on my to-do list. Plus, it is over 1K cheaper than the edelbrock system.

 

[Zuubah]

Do you have a website for the ford SEFI?

Thanks!

~Z

 

[Zuubah]

I did some googling and found some info on the SEFI, and I saw enough to be turned off by it. I am looking to restore my EB, and use it as a weekend cruiser. I have absolutely no intention of trailing in it, with the exception of occasional "mudding". I will never be out in the boonies in my baby. It is just a *cough* free *cough* vehicle for me, that will be a weekend ragtop. I want it to be comfortable, safe, mostly reliable and original looking.

*It was my uncle's, and he gave it to me for nothing.


~Z

 

[md_lucky_13]

You may be talking to the only defender of the Holley Pro-Jection 2d unit on the planet, but...

I have had nothing but good luck with mine. It works perfect. It came with everything I needed (minus that fuel lines) and has worked exactly how it was advertised. It even keeps a "stock" look.. In my humble personal opinion, the Ford fuel injection looks like a drunkard idea gone wrong. This system looks exactly like a carb, and I even re-used my same air filter.

Another advantage to the Holley system is that you can change things around without having to send your chip to be re-programmed with every change. If you ever get a new cam or an upgrade part, you don't have to ship your chip off to a company to have it reprogrammed: you just dial the new setting in.

I have heard bad things about their pumps PULLING fuel from the tank, but I have also heard this is a common problem with other fuel-injection systems. I chose to run 2 fuel pumps because of this reason, having already had 1 from my carb before.

If you want to go fuel-injection and have the money, the only way to go is the Edelbrocke multi-port fuel injection, or any true multi-port system. However, if you are on a tighter budget but are sick of carb problems, I beleive the Holley is the way to go. Here is how mine looks after the install:

With the air filter:

Without the air filter:

 

[Zuubah]

Sweet pics!
I have looked up the edelbrock system online, and i think it retails for about $2550. I am the type of guy that will pay extra to get a more reliable/better system. Is the Edelbrock system really the best way to go (if money was no object)? I know that I want to keep the original 302, which has 77K miles, and give it an EFI system.


~Z

 

[Gummi Bear]

Sweet pics!
I have looked up the edelbrock system online, and i think it retails for about $2550. I am the type of guy that will pay extra to get a more reliable/better system. Is the Edelbrock system really the best way to go (if money was no object)? I know that I want to keep the original 302, which has 77K miles, and give it an EFI system.


~Z

Check out Ford Fuel Injection

That is the best information anywhere. Best part is, he builds custom harnesses specifically for the Bronco. It plugs in everywhere, and you just have to connect about 3 wires.

Edelbrock is pretty neato, but I'm gonna do the EFI swap in the next year, with Ford stuff. (it'll take you hours to read all the information provided there, and you'll probably be a convert when you're done)

Also look for the previous 3 back issues of Bronco Driver magazine for an article about fuel injection by the same fellow that runs that site. Very well written

 

[74bronc]

Just curious, why were you turned off my mass-air SEFI?

It is the same thing as the Edelbrock system. I bet there would be almost no difference as far as the way the engines ran between the two systems and they would probably dyno out about the same. The only advantage that the Edelbrock has over the Ford SEFI is that it is laptop tunable.

I have monkeyed with Pro-jection and it is fine. I also have alot of experience with the GM TBI kits like Turbo City and Howell. They are also a good option for a daily cruiser around town that will be dead reliable.

 

[72bronco]

I've done a lot of reading on fuel injection and plan on converting my 302 this summer. As Gummi Bear mentioned, there is lots of good info on the Ford Fuel Injection website and in the last few issues of Bronco Driver magazine. Lots of bronco and mustang guys have done the Ford SEFI conversion so there is a wealth of information and experience out there. Plus you're talking about a system that is proven and reliable enough to have been used on millions of vehicles produced by Ford. You can get parts from any boneyard or auto parts store. I'm sure the Edelbrock setup is way cool but it is pretty hard to top the stock fuel injection system that you can find on every '89 - '93 V8 mustang.

Now I don't pretend to be an expert on this since I haven't actually done the conversion yet. However, based on my research your best bet is to go with the later model mass air systems produced by Ford. In short, the mass air systems is superior to the earlier speed density systems and doesn't need to be programmed for a specific engine, and can adjust automatically to engine modifications such as a cam change or new heads. Vehicles that have 5.0 engines with mass air include the 88-93 Mustang, 91-93 T-Bird, 90-91 Crown Vic, and 88-92 Mark VII.

I picked up a complete SEFI mass air system from a '91 T-bird for $275 on ebay. My plan is to purchase a custom wire harness from Ford Fuel Injection, which will set me back another five bills. You can take a 5.0 wiring harness and modify it to work with your 302 if you want to save money. Also you'll need to modify your fuel system since fuel injection delivers fuel at a higher pressure than a carburated system. All told I think I can do my conversion for under $1,000. You'll have to decide for yourself which way to go. I'll report back this summer after I've done my conversion.

 

[HotWheels]

nice.

 

[mtn_bronco]

What is your definition of bolt on? None of them really are because you need to deal with the fuel system and electrical.

I have never seen the edelbrock system on a ford. I don't think you will ever see one because the cost so darn much in comparsion to what amounts to a stock mass air system. I would much rather have the support of everyone's knowledge, probst's book and others, where you are kind of high and dry with edelbrock. Did you know that any ford scan tool can help you with a stock system?

Don't think more (money) is better. There is a strong reason that stock mass air has been done by thousands of people.

Howard

 

[maverickconner]

There is one other set up not mentioned here that I plan on putting on my 75', the Howell set up. It uses the GM throttle body($25 to $100), and adaptor plate to get it to fit on a 2 or 4 barrel intake( Howell or other,check ebay $40 to $125), Howell wiring (think it is about $200), gm computer (real cheap $10 to $30 v-6 or v-8) fitted with the Howell chip($160). I want to use this for a couple of reasons.
1. simplicity,,,,parts are everywhere
2. cheap to fit on 351w
3. mpg
4. off course the angles
5. its different....hehehehe

down fall
1. not as efficient as sefi with the hp
2. it doesn't look as cool as the sefi setup
3. its different.....

I'll keep posting, I should have everything to do this by the end of the month.....

here is a link to their price page for complete kits...remember, they are charging you a lot for some cheap stuff here, so piece it together...
http://www.howell-efi.com/ck_tbi_index.html

 

[Trigger]

I put late model Mustang EFI on my 302. I bought the harness during a mass buy here on Ryan's harness/RJM Injection Technology aka www.fordfuelinjection.com It is designed for an early Bronco. By far the best and easiest harness to use, I highly recommend it. I like the Mustang manifold because the air intake is on the passenger side and fits better with a brake booster. I still have some bugs to work out but it will be well worth the effort.
Trigger

 

[73stallion]

has anyone installed a ford 5.0 style injection on a 351w? i know you have to change the lower intake plennum, but what else?

 

[astro-mike]

I am looking to restore my EB, and use it as a weekend cruiser. I have absolutely no intention of trailing in it, with the exception of occasional "mudding". I will never be out in the boonies in my baby. It is just a *cough* free *cough* vehicle for me, that will be a weekend ragtop. I want it to be comfortable, safe, mostly reliable and original looking.

If you just want a "weekend ragtop cruiser" thats original looking just leave the old carb on it. If your just looking to spend $$$ use the money for body work and paint, since it sounds like you just want a good lookin' cruiser.

 

[Zuubah]

Damn!
I didn't know I was starting such a big topic here!
I appreciate all of the advice, and will definitely do some more research before I decide. I admit, that the only things I know about this process, are things that I have heard. I don't know much else. Any and all information on the subject is welcome and appreciated.


~Z

 

[67EB_in_619]

I am still waiting to hear what you read about the ford efi that turned you off.....

It was put well in the bronco driver magazine.... you can buy custom chips... you can custom tune... but honestly, who will know more about EFI, Edelbrock, the local tuning shop, or Ford? Millions spent on real reliability... thats where my money went. Built by Ford.. for a Ford.. on a Ford.. cant get any closer to 'stock' than that if you are doing EFI on a Bronco.

 

[Zuubah]

67EB,
Once again, let me start out by saying that I don't know enough about this stuff to have a "good opinion" on the subject. I may be wrong, but doesn't that involve taking the EFI off of a newer 302, and then putting it on mine? Every person I have talked to has told me that it is extremely tedeous and time consuming. I have a friend who was a mechanic for 25+ years, and he told me it would not be easy to do. He even said, if I were to try it, that I needed to have access to the entire vehicle that the EFI is coming off of. Maybe I misunderstood, but everyone around here is saying that it is a breeze to do, is cheap and very reliable when it is done, and my buddy is telling me the opposite. Also, the ford fuel injection web site, is like greek to me, and makes it look like a VERY daunting task. Plus, when something goes wrong, who do I talk to? Ford isn't going to help me with something like this. Maybe I am just nervous about it all, but I think I will need some "hand holding" on this one.

~Z

 

[SeanNollan]

YES and NO

Ryan's Harness (fordfuelinjection.com) $475
EFI manifolds, rails, regulator, injector $250
Computer, sensors, Mas Air Meter, fuel pumps $300
Having SEFI under your hood
priceless




Reading your post Z and joking aside this is what I think. First I have Mas Air efi on my 302 and I love it. However if it weren't for Tonto and my other friends helping, I would be up S#%t creek. Since your buddy is saying it's going to be a PIA - then don't do it. All he'll do is bitch/moan and be of little help. All the systems work - so get one that he's willing to working if something goes south. That way you'll have somebody near by that can come over and help.