Should i get EFI?

[ntsqd]

OP was asking IF he should go EFI and based on the following comments I was suggesting that the TBI was the best fit. Not a Howell version, seems like it kind of locks you in, certainly NOT one of the old Holley TBI kits, not one of the gee-whiz-bang latest fad systems that don't seem to be built with long term durability in mind, just a re-chipped GM TBI. Can think of the TBI as either a really dumb EFI or a really smart carb.

Should the ECU fail the chip could be moved to a new ECU. Should the chip fail a stock chip would get him home. There are very few sensors involved that are actually needed for the TBI to work. Many fewer than an SEFI. A few spare parts would get it home with little drama.

If a Mega/MicroSquirt fails when the boonies, what do you do then?

I am offering what I think is the best fit to what the OP wants to do and the apparent skill level, NOT my install which I think is the best possible answer ever and that everyone else should adopt regardless of what they're trying to do.

 

[dieselfarmer]

I have tried the aftermarket EFI kits (Edelbrock E-street, Fi-tech and Sniper 1) and honestly prefer my carbs over all of those. In 50 years of driving with carbs, never has a carburetor left me completely stranded. Not to say I never had issues (running rich, lean, crappy etc.) but the carb always got me home.
That's why my aftermarket throttle bodies sit on my shelf of shame and my small Holly sits on my 302 currently.

The aftermarket throttle bodies have their issues. Tons of threads just on this site on all of the brands!
They work great for some, not so great for others. Support??? Well some have had great experiences and some have not.

The Pro-Flow 4 looks interesting and haven't heard too many bad things. Cost would be a factor for me though but I'm old school. This is my hobby and my carb runs just fine

If I were to go EFI, it would be original stock explorer setup. It's the most work but the only one I've seen that no one has really complained about.

Whatever you decide, the folks on this site will help you get through any problems you may have!

Well that's my 2 cents (and it's worth exactly that)

The explorer efi or fox mustang efi is very reliable once you get it fully installed and operational. Efi is much more complex to install, and a carburetor is much more simple to maintain. Personally, I like the explorer or Mustang EFI systems because they are very reliable and you can get parts almost any Auto parts store. However, if I keep an Explorer system for another 20 years, how easy will be to get parts at that time?!

 

[73azbronco]

so has anyone built an emulator for an 9l type ECM?

 

[DirtDonk]

Sort of…
It’s called the Pimp-X from Stinger Performance. But since it’s a mega squirt inside of Ford case, I suppose you could argue that mega squirt is the emulator.
However, they do go to the trouble of putting it in the Ford containment, with all the Ford compatibility and making sure that it fits the standard Ford connector still.
Just that it’s tuned and tunable. And sophisticated enough to run transmissions if needed, different coil setups if needed, and probably other things as well.

 

[DirtDonk]

Or am I misunderstanding, and in this case the word “emulator“ is referring to some other aspect?
Sorry if I wasn’t catching the gist.

 

[73azbronco]

Nope you nailed it.