That looks way more complex than Bosch K-Jetronic which Mercedes kept on using until they transitioned over to LH-Jetronic/Motronic in 1992-1994.
Future vintage car: EFI or carbs better?
- Thread starter LucasDK
- Start date
If it’s a simple carb like a Holley, carbs all day but it’s a lost art to service and tune ‘em.
GM managed to milk the QuadraJet until the 1990s when they introduced TBI/CPI on the trucks and their cars started to use MPI/SFI. Mercedes was last to use continuous mechanical fuel injection, K/KE-Jetronic until the 1990s as well, BMW and VW stopped using it in the early 1980s. That’s a testament to for the time “advanced” tech. All GM did was modify the Q-Jet with fuel/throttle control solenoids and Bosch tacked on a electrohydraulic actuator onto K-Jet.
GM managed to milk the QuadraJet until the 1990s when they introduced TBI/CPI on the trucks and their cars started to use MPI/SFI. Mercedes was last to use continuous mechanical fuel injection, K/KE-Jetronic until the 1990s as well, BMW and VW stopped using it in the early 1980s. That’s a testament to for the time “advanced” tech. All GM did was modify the Q-Jet with fuel/throttle control solenoids and Bosch tacked on a electrohydraulic actuator onto K-Jet.
And they had lotsa problems. There is an expert just east of Sac who "fixes" them. My BIL's unit is there right now.
Here's Mark's 62 Fuelie:
To be more precise I'm thinking of the Toyota Corollas that switched from carbs to EFI around 1990.
Can you always fit an aftermarket EFI to a carb but never fit an aftermarket EFI to an original EFI?
Honda still used a weird TBI-like system in the 1990s as well.
If the engine is anything like a SBC, the EFI version has an extra few sensors(ECT/knock/O2), electronic ignition and the fuel pump mounting boss is blocked off.
You can certainly fit aftermarket EFI to an original EFI. See, for example, Megasquirt: https://megasquirt.info/
I'm pretty unfamiliar with that particular car.
However, many Japanese cars of that era had a breathtaking number of vacuum lines particularly the carbed ones at least here in the states.
Assuming its electronic injection (NipponDenso copy of L jet?) you could probably megasquirt it.
For a Corolla, im not sure what's out there, can you get a weber progressive for it?
If you take something like a Small Block Ford or Chevy you can easily go anywhere for factory carb or factory EFI and any level of aftermarket in between...
In import “tuning”, there’s also the option of installing a AEM piggyback ECU and keeping the OE - the piggyback will take over fuel and spark, the OE will handle other things.
For me personally, Ford OHV Cologne 4.0 with OBD2 and multi port injection. I've owned 4, but all with OBD1. Granted lack of OBD2 diagnostics was only a problem on the stupid green Ranger from hell. Never had a problem with an Explorer, knock on wood. I've heard of capacitor problems and stuff, but never experienced that. I was getting frustrated with the Ranger, opened the "ECM", sprayed down the inside with electrical connector cleaner, and the stupid thing actually worked for a while after that. The problem ended up being the ignition coil, the truck was just too dumb to tell me that.
A Holly 4 barrel tuned right though from a real guy using a dyno and electronic ignition - and you are set
I prefer all day long on a vintage small or big block based car than anything with a computer in it.
I'm still waiting for any modern NA engine to run as well as my 500/500 406 with a 4 barrel that I built for 7500 bones.
I have way more issues over a long span of time with computers and injected rigs than I ever did my carb rigs
You spelled edelbrock wrong.... leaky side bowls and blown power valves aren't my cup of tea lol
Well-said.
One of my vehicles sports a 43-year-old Q-Jet on a 350. Zero concerns in seven years of ownership.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
EFI all day long. I would try to find myself a 2.2/2.5 Mopar Turbo. Easy to work on you can still get most of the failure items. Like injectors, MAPs, and the hall effect pickup. I have had a few cars with carbs, eh. They ran fine, just not interested. The WS6 is 22 years old, never give me any fits and I supect it will stay that way.
30 years ago mostly everything was already fuel injected...
Good question. On the one hand, carburetors are adjustable and while they may need repair kits, they are fairly reliable. EFI is pretty reliable too, until the electronics start having trouble. ROMs aren't guaranteed to hold data forever, and if an engine ECU starts having problems, getting it repaired or finding a spare could be difficult.
Then again, you can have the fabulous Zenith-Stromberg carburetor in my MG. I can still get repair kits, and I did snag a spare carb at one point, but some of the parts are no longer available. Even when it's working at its best it makes you appreciate that EFI just works so much better.
Then again, you can have the fabulous Zenith-Stromberg carburetor in my MG. I can still get repair kits, and I did snag a spare carb at one point, but some of the parts are no longer available. Even when it's working at its best it makes you appreciate that EFI just works so much better.
The car I like and want and desire. owning a 30 year old vehicle is pure emotion and nothing rational. Fuel system to me is afterthought.
I wouldn't daily drive a classic, EFI or Carb.
Similar threads
