5.0 EFI high output VS FITECH EFI carb

[Iwannagofast]

So my 77 ranger I did a 5.0. So I decided to take the block from that motor and do a 331 stroker kit with it and my builder who is helping me with this is telling me to toss the 5.0 EFI manifold on it and go with a FITECH EFI carb on it instead. Is that a better route? Also as far as resale value goes as well, would the FITECH setup be an enhancement to value? I’m never planning on selling my bronco but I am trying to see all the benefits in it. It would be free labor to install it sense I am already here working on the motor. Thank you.

 

[DirtDonk]

He's probably correct regarding power and tunability with the new stuff. But I can't see any dollar value difference in one over the other, as long as they both work well. Especially down the road when neither the induction or the engine is anywhere near new.
Neither is stock, and modifications are a 2-edged sword in the resale market. So just do it the way you want and don't sweat the value question this early in the game. Preferences might even change in the future.
With the Ford stuff, you've got "stock" at least as far as it being within the same family. But with the FiTech it can actually appear more stock under the hood as long as you use an original air-cleaner housing.
Resale value is hit-or-miss. Nothing with regard to what you're doing is etched in stone.

While I certainly like the FiTech units (a good thing since I sell them!) I can't necessarily see just automatically changing the Ford stuff out, if it was running well and the new changes to the engine are not going to be that big. But maybe the engine builder knows something we don't about how the engine will be built.
So give us some more details please. Besides, we like to hear what people are building.

If yes to the more-power side of things, then yes to the FiTech too. I'd have to say that it's likely able to take advantage of other power adders. Where the Ford stuff "might" be (depending on what your exact setup is now), but might also be hampered by the factory tune and certain components like the MAF and throttle body sizes and designs.
Your old stuff was stock and untuned?

Long way of saying "maybe either would work" but that the advantage would seem to be in the FiTech's favor.

Let us know some more details.

Paul

 

[sykanr0ng]

I would look for another builder.
He wants to sell you something you don't need so he makes more money.

Make sure you carry a carb and the parts to run it as a back-up for the FITech.

The FITech is about the same resale value as the Ford EFI you have which is already paid for.

 

[RADO]

Toss up IMO. There's advantages to both, but you already have the Ford EFI kit... why not save the money and run it.

For resale value, I would say an uneducated buyer is going to see the Ford EFI plenum and know it's been updated to EFI. The TBI kits all look like carbs, so the engine might be perceived more original. As a buyer, I personally saw the Ford EFI set-up as a bigger selling point than anything looking like a carb. I now run a Fitech, because it was easy, new and fit the intake needs of the 351W better.

Make sure you carry a carb and the parts to run it as a back-up for the FITech.

I remember reading this same statement before installing my Fitech. I use my Bronco as a daily driver, 4 wheeler and even drove all the way to Moab-wheeled a week-drove back home. Point is... the Fitech can be a reliable EFI system with no need to even consider carrying a spare carb. You're going to hear about the bad experiences more than the good experiences, which happens a lot on this forum. My carb lives in a box out in the shed, where it will remain...

 

[BroncoChicken]

Based on a friend's experience, there is no way I would install FITech. Every problem he could have imagined, happened. Bad injectors, bad ECU, bad fuel command center, the same parts going bad multiple times. It was too much to stomach over the course of 12 months. Stick with something that had significantly more R&D behind it.

 

[EFI Guy]

You could properly tune the Ford system you currently have for much less than buying a new TBI system.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Keep the Ford stuff, swap the manifolds for some Explorer stuff so it can breath.

Sounds like your engine builder has no experience in tuning EFI. Wants the simple bolt it on and go drive and it will get better on its own tuning. You spend money so he doesn't have to work. He may be a good engine builder, but it sounds like he is a lousy or maybe just lazy engine tuner.

 

[73azbronco]

Keep it simple and keep it Ford for now. Get the motor back to running then decide if you want to improve. What you have should easily convert to 331 vs 302.

Fitech needs a single plain intake to work best, same for Holley TBI systems. Even then, cold engine performance will suffer, while the stock Ford stuff knows what to do and is multi port injection to boot.

My only non Ford option would be the newest Edelbrock Proflo multiport fuel injection which uses a multiport intake with a Carb like looking throttle body for air control. Cost over $3,200 not counting fuel system.

My humble opinion is the throttle body stuff like fitech and sniper are for the street driven sports car looking more for wide open throttle than reliable daily driver and or rock climbing ability. Heck the sniper even says do not use for offroad, I sent it back after finding that little nugget. Odd because they usually say not for street use on all this aftermarket FI.

 

[broncnaz]

Id stick with what you have.
Most likely your current EFI will easily handle the 331 needs with no retuning unless your building a wild motor. Of course getting a custom tune would be best for even a mild 331.

 

[KyleQ]

There are reasons to go with either setups - the Ford EFI with a good tuner is going to give you the best out-of-box experience. The FiTech puts more control in your hands - which depending on the user, can be a good or a bad thing.

I've run both - the Ford EFI was smoother but also a bit more complicated. I went FiTech on my trail rig for simplicity and easy of packaging, my street truck will get all of the aftermarket Ford EFI parts I've got.

 

[pcf_mark]

I like the rock solid reliability of Ford OEM parts and would use that in every case. FIT tech is a step backward in technology compared to Ford manifold design, hardware quality and software.

I use MegaSquirt because I like to play around with my tunes. It interfaces with all Ford or GM sensors and parts that I can replace at any part store except the ECM.

 

[KyleQ]

I use MegaSquirt because I like to play around with my tunes. It interfaces with all Ford or GM sensors and parts that I can replace at any part store except the ECM.

Same deal with the FiTech - only you can see all the inputs, outputs and control them on the fly. I would say it is a step above the megasquirt in some aspects - I like the ability to adjust timing, fueling and AFR at any time.

Each system has its pros and cons -