EFI vs Carbs: Which is better?

inferno · 03-11-2001, 09:18 AM

I am sitting home bored on a Sunday morning and I thought this would be an interesting tech discussion. So what do you guys think is better and why?

------------------
"I know you don't really wanna, unleash the dragon..." Sisqo

Capri306 · 03-11-2001, 03:02 PM

EFI because you can accurately meter fuel and air. MUCH more precise, much better driveability, plus better atomization. Ever notice how much more often you have to change plugs on a carbed engine than an EFI? Same for upper cylinder wear.

------------------
Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online
1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73
1987 Mustang LX Notch

Unit 5302 · 03-11-2001, 03:20 PM

There is no question here. EFI is better, well the more advanced version anyway.

Carbuerated engines are cheap and easy to build. The technology has been around for a long time. The expense factor and the ease of modification are the only points worth noting in it's favor. They are inefficient, poor at maintaining tune, problematic, and difficult to diagnose on emissions equipped cars. ie. What vaccuum line is causing the problem this time?

TBI is a piece of crap. For performance anyway. Nearly impossible to upgrade, but much more efficient, more reliable, and good at maintaining tune the TBI systems are significantly better than carbs on cars that are not prone to modification.

MPFI is far and away the best design. Although more expensive, it's extremely reliable, maintains the correct tune even when weather totally changes, produces significantly better performance, is easy to increase performance with, and it's super efficient.

I find the argument that MPFI produces more low end and slightly less top end to be null and void. Make a custom intake for it. You can change runner length. MPFI is also damn near as cheap to modify for the 5.0's too. You can make 350hp on an SEFI 5.0 for an additional $100 or less versus a carb 5.0 car. Going beyond that the expense increases for both.

inferno · 03-11-2001, 03:27 PM

Damn it Unit!!!!! You messed up both of my topics!!!! j/k

I was hoping to have a discussion with people who were less knowledgeable so that I can preach the benefits myself.....oh well.....still interesting to read your response which is very accurate.

------------------
"I know you don't really wanna, unleash the dragon..." Sisqo

MiracleMax · 03-11-2001, 07:08 PM

Depends I suppose, but I agree especially for the street, EFI is hard to beat

84_GT350 · 03-14-2001, 03:43 AM

I have a carbed car that's been converted from CFI (which was total crap, btw). If I had to do it over, it'd be EFI. Carbed cars usually run a tad bit harder but they kinda suck for the street. Once you realize you have to re-tune every time the weather changes you don't think saving money is so cool. Carbs are also much more fickle than EFI. Performance is sort of a day-to-day thing. One day it's great, the next day it's not, the next day it's back to being great. If I was building an all-out dragster, it'd probably be carbed but I like EFI on street motors. EFI saves you some gas though.

------------------
1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

03-14-2001, 04:49 AM

I like BOTH

You can make either run fast and be dependable.First mustang I had was a 85GT with carb and 5-speed

You set them up right,you can run with the EFI boys

------------------
Paxton Blown 87GT

[This message has been edited by Mustanguy (edited 03-14-2001).]

red82gt · 03-15-2001, 05:23 PM

One thing about carb is its easy to make changes and you don't need any aftermarket electronics to tune them. If I had the dough though, I'd go to fuel injection in an instant, I get jumped on from a role (single plane intakes are a bit of a liability in this department) but from a dig that little bit of torque missing down low allows a better hook and (my car's relatively light anyways) is not missed once the tach spins past 6000 and since I drop to only about 4500 in second I'm still in the fat of my powerband.

However, for power adders tha accurate measuring of air and fuel in fuel injection is the way to go.

Here's another interesting tid-bit...Did you know that on a centrifugally blown, non intercooled motor, A carb application can run more boost because of the endothermic reaction of the wet fuel mixture atomizing can cool the mixture up to 50 degrees F. making the car less prone to detonation.
source: Procharger webpage, carb applications section.

------------------
GT-40 heads (ported, polished, + milled), B303 cam, 1.7rr's, JE pistons, Offy intake, Carter AFB 625cfm carb, Flowtech 1 5/8" shortys, Flowtech X-pipe, MAC Flowpath exhaust, MAC pulleys, 373's, subframes, Eibachs+Tokicos, B+M ripper, FMS Clutch, Zoom Quadrant+cable, 17" CSA Ultra rims, 235/45ZR17 Yokohama AVS S4's, MSD 6A ignition+coil, FMS 9mm wires, Carbed, Naturally Aspirated, and Nasty!

03-16-2001, 01:42 AM

red82gt..

I had plans of installing a Paxton blower on my carbed 85GT,but I got it in my head that I should sell the car after owning for 2yrs...why? I don't really know,all I know is,someday I will have another 85GT and it will be Blown!

------------------
Paxton Blown 87GT

red82gt · 03-16-2001, 07:04 PM

Call me crazy, but I want to try the carbed-supercharger combo too. I was thinking the procharger P-1SC base kit with a custom elbow to feed it into the carb. Maybe an intercooler to fit inside the chin spoiler of my car where the foglights used to be. I think that everything would fit the same and I think it would be pretty trick, not to mention unconventional

------------------
GT-40 heads (ported, polished, + milled), B303 cam, 1.7rr's, JE pistons, Offy intake, Carter AFB 625cfm carb, Flowtech 1 5/8" shortys, Flowtech X-pipe, MAC Flowpath exhaust, MAC pulleys, 373's, subframes, Eibachs+Tokicos, B+M ripper, FMS Clutch, Zoom Quadrant+cable, 17" CSA Ultra rims, 235/45ZR17 Yokohama AVS S4's, MSD 6A ignition+coil, FMS 9mm wires, Carbed, Naturally Aspirated, and Nasty!

03-11-2001, 09:18 AM	#1
inferno The Instigator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: So Cal and Houston Posts: 764	EFI vs Carbs: Which is better? I am sitting home bored on a Sunday morning and I thought this would be an interesting tech discussion. So what do you guys think is better and why? ------------------ "I know you don't really wanna, unleash the dragon..." Sisqo

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03-11-2001, 03:02 PM	#2
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	EFI because you can accurately meter fuel and air. MUCH more precise, much better driveability, plus better atomization. Ever notice how much more often you have to change plugs on a carbed engine than an EFI? Same for upper cylinder wear. ------------------ Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73 1987 Mustang LX Notch

03-11-2001, 03:20 PM	#3
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	There is no question here. EFI is better, well the more advanced version anyway. Carbuerated engines are cheap and easy to build. The technology has been around for a long time. The expense factor and the ease of modification are the only points worth noting in it's favor. They are inefficient, poor at maintaining tune, problematic, and difficult to diagnose on emissions equipped cars. ie. What vaccuum line is causing the problem this time? TBI is a piece of crap. For performance anyway. Nearly impossible to upgrade, but much more efficient, more reliable, and good at maintaining tune the TBI systems are significantly better than carbs on cars that are not prone to modification. MPFI is far and away the best design. Although more expensive, it's extremely reliable, maintains the correct tune even when weather totally changes, produces significantly better performance, is easy to increase performance with, and it's super efficient. I find the argument that MPFI produces more low end and slightly less top end to be null and void. Make a custom intake for it. You can change runner length. MPFI is also damn near as cheap to modify for the 5.0's too. You can make 350hp on an SEFI 5.0 for an additional $100 or less versus a carb 5.0 car. Going beyond that the expense increases for both.

03-11-2001, 03:27 PM	#4
inferno The Instigator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: So Cal and Houston Posts: 764	Damn it Unit!!!!! You messed up both of my topics!!!! j/k I was hoping to have a discussion with people who were less knowledgeable so that I can preach the benefits myself.....oh well.....still interesting to read your response which is very accurate. ------------------ "I know you don't really wanna, unleash the dragon..." Sisqo

03-11-2001, 07:08 PM	#5
MiracleMax Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Hayes, Va, USA Posts: 798	Depends I suppose, but I agree especially for the street, EFI is hard to beat

03-14-2001, 03:43 AM	#6
84_GT350 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Posts: 1,631	I have a carbed car that's been converted from CFI (which was total crap, btw). If I had to do it over, it'd be EFI. Carbed cars usually run a tad bit harder but they kinda suck for the street. Once you realize you have to re-tune every time the weather changes you don't think saving money is so cool. Carbs are also much more fickle than EFI. Performance is sort of a day-to-day thing. One day it's great, the next day it's not, the next day it's back to being great. If I was building an all-out dragster, it'd probably be carbed but I like EFI on street motors. EFI saves you some gas though. ------------------ 1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

03-14-2001, 04:49 AM	#7
Mustanguy Guest Posts: n/a	I like BOTH You can make either run fast and be dependable.First mustang I had was a 85GT with carb and 5-speed You set them up right,you can run with the EFI boys ------------------ Paxton Blown 87GT [This message has been edited by Mustanguy (edited 03-14-2001).]

03-15-2001, 05:23 PM	#8
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	One thing about carb is its easy to make changes and you don't need any aftermarket electronics to tune them. If I had the dough though, I'd go to fuel injection in an instant, I get jumped on from a role (single plane intakes are a bit of a liability in this department) but from a dig that little bit of torque missing down low allows a better hook and (my car's relatively light anyways) is not missed once the tach spins past 6000 and since I drop to only about 4500 in second I'm still in the fat of my powerband. However, for power adders tha accurate measuring of air and fuel in fuel injection is the way to go. Here's another interesting tid-bit...Did you know that on a centrifugally blown, non intercooled motor, A carb application can run more boost because of the endothermic reaction of the wet fuel mixture atomizing can cool the mixture up to 50 degrees F. making the car less prone to detonation. source: Procharger webpage, carb applications section. ------------------ GT-40 heads (ported, polished, + milled), B303 cam, 1.7rr's, JE pistons, Offy intake, Carter AFB 625cfm carb, Flowtech 1 5/8" shortys, Flowtech X-pipe, MAC Flowpath exhaust, MAC pulleys, 373's, subframes, Eibachs+Tokicos, B+M ripper, FMS Clutch, Zoom Quadrant+cable, 17" CSA Ultra rims, 235/45ZR17 Yokohama AVS S4's, MSD 6A ignition+coil, FMS 9mm wires, Carbed, Naturally Aspirated, and Nasty!

03-16-2001, 01:42 AM	#9
Mustanguy Guest Posts: n/a	red82gt.. I had plans of installing a Paxton blower on my carbed 85GT,but I got it in my head that I should sell the car after owning for 2yrs...why? I don't really know,all I know is,someday I will have another 85GT and it will be Blown! ------------------ Paxton Blown 87GT

03-16-2001, 07:04 PM	#10
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	Call me crazy, but I want to try the carbed-supercharger combo too. I was thinking the procharger P-1SC base kit with a custom elbow to feed it into the carb. Maybe an intercooler to fit inside the chin spoiler of my car where the foglights used to be. I think that everything would fit the same and I think it would be pretty trick, not to mention unconventional ------------------ GT-40 heads (ported, polished, + milled), B303 cam, 1.7rr's, JE pistons, Offy intake, Carter AFB 625cfm carb, Flowtech 1 5/8" shortys, Flowtech X-pipe, MAC Flowpath exhaust, MAC pulleys, 373's, subframes, Eibachs+Tokicos, B+M ripper, FMS Clutch, Zoom Quadrant+cable, 17" CSA Ultra rims, 235/45ZR17 Yokohama AVS S4's, MSD 6A ignition+coil, FMS 9mm wires, Carbed, Naturally Aspirated, and Nasty!