Fitech Tuning

[Nightstick]

I had a guy install a Fitech system on my bronco last year. Since installing it, it hasn’t run worth a damn. I’ve put about 150 miles on it and don’t enjoy driving it because it’ll barely go. If I give it anything more than a slight amount of throttle it craps out and if I stay in it it will stall. I have changed around the accelerator pump numbers from the extreme low to the extreme high. My IAC steps is 9. Just this morning I bumped the Accel Pump to +50 on all temps and drove it about 10 miles. No difference. How many miles to I have to drive to see any kind of change after modifying the tune?

Any suggestions y’all have would be appreciated. I’m fixin to throw a carb back on this thing...

 

[Cortez]

I had to fuss with mine quite a bit - there was a setup chart that helped me tune it.
I think this was it. http://fitechefi.com/tech-posts/fitech-efi-basic-setup-instructions/

Just found this new site for tuning also...maybe some good help here.
https://www.fitechefituning.com

Take a breather and be patient...do some research and make some tweaks...it
Will come together. There definitely is a learning curve, but mines been running good once I got it tuned.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Sounds like a fuel flow issue. What's the fuel system?

Ever put a pressure gauge on and drive around?

 

[rjlougee]

I agree with Bowsher, sounds like a fuel delivery/pressure issue.

Personally, not a fan of FITECH, it's just too easy to use Ford EFI.

It's probably similar $$ on a 302/5.0 to go Ford, with a lot of advantages as sequential vs. an electronic carb.

And I've probably heard 10 times as many complaints vs ford EFI (measured by volume).
Joe

 

[Cortez]

Come to think of it, I had junk in my filter cause my tank was dirty and that was the way it acted.

 

[brewchief]

Fuel system sounds like it could be the cause, if that checks out take a look at engine masters on youtube, episode #2. The did a carb vs EFI shootout using a holley throttle body EFI system and it wouldn't run right on a dual plane intake, you might be dealing with something similar.

 

[Capt.junk&crap]

Fitech owners have a group on Facebook. I have not installed mine yet, but by looking at what is on that page, 90% of the time it is not installed correctly, wiring or fuel. It might be worth looking at.

 

[EB70]

I will agree that I think it is a supply issue. Recently been facing this issue with mine and it was a plugged tank etc.

Cleaned it all out and runs great from 1k-6k RPM.

 

[RADO]

I installed a pressure gauge on the Fitech inlet fuel line and found high pressure, around 80-100psi. My pressure regulator on the Fitech was plugged with debris from building new Russell fuel lines. It caused some erratic stalling issues on the Fitech that were fixed after clean out. I don't know if I would have figured out the issue without a pressure gauge installed. Probably a good place for you to start troubleshooting.

 

[Eoth]

Should run much better that that straight from the start. I agree with others that you probably have a fuel restriction problem. Tell us about your setup...
What fuel tank are you using and how is it plumbed?
what size and type of fuel line are you using?
What pre and post filters do you have?
What fuel pump are you using and where is it mounted?
Fuel return: size of line? how does it return to the tank (i.e. filler neck, vent tube, duel sending unit, etc).

 

[Nightstick]

Thanks for the responses! I have an aeromotive in-tank pump in a BCB 23gal tank. I'd have to search for the model, but it's plenty powerful for the application. Braided line with aluminum fittings on the pressure side and rubber line with barb fittings for the return IIRC. I have a single in-line filter up near the motor, and one in the tank of course.

I will get a pressure gauge and start there. I'm sure y'all are onto something with that. I'll also check the installers work to make sure things are wired correctly.

 

[DirtDonk]

When did you buy your tank Nightstick? Reason I ask is that BC and WH both had an issue with the in-tank pickup tube having been poorly welded (over penetrating?) in such a way as to block the flow of fuel out of the tank.
Most people did not notice a restriction until they were under load or at higher rpm levels. But some of the pickups were so bad they never really flowed well enough to let the engine run.
Maybe you remember some of the discussions here on the forums.

Did you run the same tank before, on the carburetor? Did it run fine then?
If it ran fine, then this is likely not the problem in your case. But there can still be restrictions in the system.

Interested to hear what your gauge reads. See if you can rig it up so that you can see it while driving too. See if the pressure changes while under load.
Did you ever call FiTech on this? Shame to not be able to enjoy your driving experience. Definitely want to get it figured out.

It's not impossible for the TBI itself to be at fault of course. But so many of the teething issues people experience are the fault of something else in the system, that nothing can be ignored at this stage.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[Eoth]

Your issue is in a "detail", we just have to find the right one....
Lets talk fuel pump.. I see in your history that you had earlier problems with your fuel pump with your carb setup. Just to be absolutely sure... I see in your history that you started out with a "Holly Blue Pump". Is it still being used? Its maximum pressure is only 14PSI and the Fitech needs 58PSI.

 

[Nightstick]

I’m guessing the tank is 7ish years old. I bought it off Kyle Malone. I opened it up when we swapped the pump and there wasn’t any corrosion in there. However like Eoth said I also had fuel issues when I had the carb on it. Once I got up to about 2000rpm (I think) it would run poorly. I think we deduced that the issue was probably the fact that I was pulling fuel through the non-running EFI pump that was in the tank. Or at least that was a theory, as it wasn’t tested without doing that.

The Holley blue is not on there anymore. I have an aeromotive stealth series in tank pump in there

 

[DirtDonk]

Well 7 years is a bit farther before the problem I think. But it was close enough to not ignore. I was thinking 4 years or so, but in my mind, time flies and I often get past recollections skewed in the timeline.
I wonder if you can find anything flexible that you can push through it like a pipe cleaner that would go through curves but tell you if you reach any blockage?
Maybe not a good idea since there is a pump at the other end, but I'm trying to think of a way to tell without having to pull the tank out again.
Not sure such a way exists, but maybe one of the members here that had that issue with the necked-down feed pipe will chime in with their experience.

I'll check with someone else too, in case they remember how long ago it was.
But basically it required removing the tank to access the panel and take a peek inside. I don't remember exactly what the "fix" itself was, other than to to be sent a new tank.

I guess the question before that is, have you always had issues with the way the Bronco runs since the tank was installed? What about before that?
If you had issues before the 23 gallon tank was installed, then you can move on to the next culprit in line.

Paul

 

[Nightstick]

So I had a chance to mess with the rig this morning. I had installed a fuel pressure gauge at the FiTech inlet a little while back... with the system on but the engine not running it shows 40psi. With the engine running it shows 30psi. When I ease into the throttle the pressure remains around 30, BUT when I step on it it drops to nearly 0 (zero). I’m gonna change the filter and see where that gets me, but I’ve had this same issue since the day it was installed. I’ve read a few things on other sites that mention potential vacuum issues. Since I didn’t install the setup I’m gonna go over ever connection and make sure everything is hooked up as it should be. Any other suggestions?

 

[markw]

Well, a common problem. Needs 58 pound pressure. Mine has exactly the same problem. Bought a new Fitech in tank pump. Have the tank out to replace but no time to put it together yet. Got the Fitech 40015 pump, the 40019 is too big.
Also the pump flow is on demand, driven by the computer.

 

[Nightstick]

Well, a common problem. Needs 58 pound pressure. Mine has exactly the same problem. Bought a new Fitech in tank pump. Have the tank out to replace but no time to put it together yet. Got the Fitech 40015 pump, the 40019 is too big.
Also the pump flow is on demand, driven by the computer.

I’m running an in-tank pump that’s rated at 340Lph and 90psi, but your response got me thinking and looking around. Apparently I need to rewire it with larger gauge wire to handle the current to get those higher pressures.

 

[markw]

Make sure it's a pump designed to talk to the FiTech ECU for the on demand function.

 

[KyleQ]

A properly installed setup will run awesome right out of the box. Did a 600HP setup on a 460 last weekend. It turned over 4 times fired up and idled - instant throttle response. Took it out after it got up to temp and it was a rocket ship.

If it doesn't run great you either have a fuel issue, poor grounds, vac leaks or exhaust leaks. My cheapo Precise 402-P2000 inline pump is quiet and supplies more than enough fuel for my 450HP 351W.