Electronic Fuel Injection for the agerage Joe - My example

Mark Bradley

Mark Bradley

Da guy in Newbury
How did I get started?
I am not intending to speak poorly about carburetors as in the correct hands and with the correct budget they do great. I will need to admit that I am new to EFI conversions so I did some homework trying to weigh features to dollars.
I have what I believe to be a well built 496 BBC and my goal remains to have a reliable car that either frightens the passenger or puts a perpetual smile on their face when I run through the gears hard.
I started the project with what I had at hand... A Holley 1310 750cfm. I rebuilt the carb and using David Vixards book on super tuning Holleys and started off to do all the initial tricks. Installed the correct power valve based on my manifold vacuum, increased the pump and size of the squirters, corrected the jets, correct springs on the vacuum secondaries, etc.. Bottom end was reasonable and dispite being 750 CFM it pulled pretty well to 6300 rpm. Remember this is a street car and not a strip car so I liked the flexibility offered by the vacuum secondary.
I began looking at how I could get greater CFM, mid throttle performance and the work I would need to do next to the carb.
For me reality set in... Out with the Carb and in with the EFI.
I selected the FiTech MeanStreet unit that they rate to supporting up to 800hp.
I paid ~950 for the kit and recieved a 100.00 rebate.
My concern was that I also wanted to keep my factory air cleaner and hood clearances in my SS Camaro.
I dry fit everything and placed clay on the top of the air cleaner in several places as I slowly closed the hood. It was tight so I went back and dry fit the Holley. Bingo - Same fit!!!
On went the EFI and honestly it has been the single best investment I have made in the car to date.
If anyone has questions on the project I am very willing to share. Looking under the hood the average car guy may not notice I replaced the carb. The power curve is off the chart and as big as my cam is driving below 2300rpm was "odd" where today it ain't to bad but 2300-6500rpm is gave me what I was after.... CRAZY strong throttle response and pull that leaves the passenger slack jawed.
 
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Installation documentation (PDF): http://fitechefi.com/fitech-uploads/2016/07/30001.30002Instructionsm12.9.15.pdf
FiTech MeanStreet EFI : http://fitechefi.com/products/30008/
The vendor documentation is great if you actually read it.
If you have a dead cyl or bad plugs you need to fix that FIRST!!!
****** Remember that if your motor has a mechanical problem installing EFI will not fix it *******
In my opinion the first hurdle is the fuel supply since the standard 7-8 PSI pump provides lots of volume without enough fuel pressure for the injectors (Need 58PSI). I'll try and do the photos in some logical order.
You will see in a few photos how I built a template and plate in my engine compartment to securely mount the PowerSurge and hold the 5 micron filter (Supplied from FiTech). I chose to install a reservoir contained fuel pump system called a "PowerSurge" by RobbMC.com and they offer a 500 & 1000HP version. Same unit just different internal pump and great customer service.
 
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The photos below are the dry run, modifications I made to the EFI body to fit a factory air cleaner and the part number for a grommet I can never seem to find followed by the initial hose connections and routing... this was the starting point. And it only needs 4 wires connected.
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The next set of photos are the layout and fabrication of the basic plate I created that runs from under the top lip if the drivers fender to the bottom of the fender well. Once I received my PowerSurge I was able to actually drill this plate to properly fit the pump assembly. The yellow line in the last photo is where I wanted the center line of the PUMP to be from a clearance perspective.
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The next photos are the installation of the PowerSurge from RobbMCPerformance.com
I did what I could to make clear notes on the images.
The last image is after I replaced the rubber lines with hard lines so it does apply although it is about a month after it was running.
PowerSurge1.JPG PowerSurge2.jpg PowerSurge3.JPG PowerSurge4.jpg
 
You "WILL" need to have a VENT line for the fuel system. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise and while it is labeled as VENT it is really a path for excess fuel to return to the fuel tank. It is not a charcoal canister vent.
In my case I have a 1968 Camaro and they have a single fuel supply line from the tank to the engine compartment. I was able to buy a 1969 fuel sending unit that had a VENT (return) and it fit my tank perfectly. Then I had 2 choices... buy a factory return line from National Parts Depot or use standard 5/16 steel line I had. I chose the latter and used the factory clips along the fuel feed line. Once I reached the engine compartment I routed it across the rear of the front sub-frame crossmember and it came up on the drivers side below the power steering pump.

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Thank you... As I'm sure you know it's not a project since projects eventually have an end. It an obsession on a budget.
 
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