EFI vs Carb

slow50 · 01-16-2010, 08:45 PM

What are the pros and cons for both EFI and Carb?

I'm trying to decide which would make a better race/show engine engine.

dan46 · 01-16-2010, 08:46 PM

depends on how much you plan on spending on fuel costs

billet60 · 01-16-2010, 08:51 PM

Carbs win....By default.

escort89 · 01-16-2010, 08:53 PM

Other than the obvious. There isnt a whole lot. EFI is designed, and produced mainly for emissions and drive ability. Over the years Defis tuneability makes it a little easier for forced induction also. The data logging capabilities of EFI are greater than a carb car. When said and done a built carb engine is usually cheaper than a built EFI set up.

ca50 · 01-16-2010, 08:58 PM

Pro and cons?

Carbs- Cheaper, simpler.. less weight and sometimes can make more power than EFI (sometimes!).. Ryan.. Darrell, dont shoot me for saying that.

EFI- More precise tuning ability, efficient (not to say carbs arent). Can make excellent power.. and sometimes more relialbe.

They both are the same thing... fuel metering systems. Which one makes more sense to you? That will be the one you should go with.

matt234 · 01-16-2010, 09:02 PM

If you have a lot of money and are a tech junkie, go with EFI.

If you don't mind poor fuel economy, but don't have lots of money to spend, carb is the way to go.

Neither has any real advantages over the other, one is an electric system and the other is mechanical. Sure the electric system automatically adjusts itself and the mechanical one doesn't, but the electrical one comes with lots of extra parts and sensors to fail and cause gremlins...and you pay for all the extra stuff too.

88fox · 01-16-2010, 09:08 PM

if you like clusterfuck engine bays, run efi, if you like simple and clean, a 4150 is the way to go.

bill87 · 01-16-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88fox

if you like clusterfuck engine bays, run efi, if you like simple and clean, a 4150 is the way to go.

agree 100 %

1fatfox · 01-17-2010, 05:50 PM

lets make this simple... if you know people who know how to do carb setups, or want to read, then go ahead with carb. this will help your decision alot:

Carbs- If you live in a place where elevation changes are great, not for you unless you like tuning :-). Carbs are great for drag applications where environment doesnt change that much.

EFI- Its great for long term driving/changing conditions. i would suggest this if you drive daily or live in a fairly flat area.

also.. what hp are you planning to reach to? if you want high hp, (aka getting a block upgrade / 500+ hp) get a carb if you are on budget and would like to spend more on a nice h/c/i setup.

if you want mild, efi is good cause injectors arent THAT expensive till you get in the higher #'s.

If you are planning to do forced induction, i would say go EFI, why? its easier to tune =) saves you some time.

Btw... carbs make nasty n/a's :-) Great to park and prop the hood for jealous onlookers.

89fox · 01-17-2010, 05:53 PM

Nothing personal, but if your not to lazy and can run wires, you can make efi look neat under the hood, too, and just as hot, if not hotter. If you have efi already it won't be cheaper to switch. If you are building from scratch, sure maybe a little cheaper depending on the carb setup you pick, but in the long run (especially if its a dd) it will cost more in fuel. Both setups have the same power potential, and have disadvantages and advantages.