Highlights of Installing the FAST EFI with some comparison notes to the Edlebrock Pro Flo 2 3550 EFI Seeing some recent posts on EFI in general, thought Id add my own post:
I have installed both the Edlebrock PRO FLO 2 3550 and just installed the FAST EFI: In this post, I’m not trying to compare carbs to EFI: Either you will try EFI or you wont. I’ve been wrenching for over 25 years now and have went basically went thru every make/model of carbs out there, tuned them ,etc. But I didn’t get into EFI until about 7 years ago with the Edlebrock Pro Flo. I do all my own work, so the observations are hands on: I’ll even mention mistakes I made....
My Edlebrock EFI was installed on a 1970 Chevy BB about 7 yrs ago: I just installed the FAST on a 1968 440 in my 71 Cuda: Both were bone stock except for basic rebuild, with very mild cams and headers so the comparisons should be close. Make/model of the engines are really a non-issue in this post: What I’m trying to explain is how easy or hard these 2 systems are to install, some pitfalls, costs, etc
Edlebrock Pro Flo: These systems go for about $3,000. Basically, you get a new intake manifold and everything you need for the EFI. There is also a mod for your current distributor; So basically you can run your oem distro, points, mag p/u: Any distributor.
Installation: First, you need to know your cam specs. You send specs and the included chip back to Edlebrock, and the chip for the EFI brain is sent back to you (in 2 days) for the initial parameters to be loaded correctly for your cam profile into the EFI ECU
Like most EFI'S (FAST and the Pro Flo), the large amount of wire looms and finding a place to mount your ecu, fuel press regulator can be a pain. But with creativity, you can make it happen and make it look fairly clean
Fuel Lines: You must install a feed and return line. Don’t even think about using your original fuel lines if they are 5/16. I tried it, and no way will you circulate enough fuel. Instructions clearly state use 3/8”. I tried to use 5/16 and I kept running lean IAW the hand held. But when I went 3/8, no prob
Fuel lines take longest to install on any EFI conversion kit. It’s just time consuming, not hard: If you don’t have a return fuel nipple on your gas tank to return the fuel in the EFI fuel system, you will have to install one.
Finding a place to install the fuel pump is fairly easy: Just mount in a location IAW instructions. Some say you need a baffled gas tank to keep fuel in place during hard accel/driving styles to keep the EFI fuel system feed: I have never installed a baffled gas tank or had one, and I have never had a prob
The Pro Flo kit DOES NOT INCLUDE EFI FUEL LINES: That can get expensive per foot outside of the 3K you just spent
O2 sensor fitting must be installed in your exhaust system: I placed mine in the far end of the header collector, about 2 inches from where the exhaust attaches (So you need a little welding done)
You must remove your intake manifold and replace it with the e brock intake. Installation is straight forward. But if you have hood clearance issues, this system will not help you: It sits fairly tall, at least 2-3” higher than a stock intake
Distributor: Chances are, you will have to mod your distributor: The kit includes the mods required. Yes, some grinding may be required to fit the ebrock p/u inside the distributor, but once done, you cant tell from the outside, except for non stock appearing wires leading from the distro
When ready. You must have a pc to load the EFI systems ECU. Once that is done, all programming is done from the detachable handheld programmer
I had a four speed, so no kick down issues to work out: I believe I needed to get a throttle cable adapter mount to 4150 style, which was no big deal .
I had a four speed, so no kick down issues to work out
The hand held is fairly straight forward, BUT: The screens are somewhat confusing to tell what data is what. The instructions are little difficult to follow: But you can load multiple settings once you figure it out for multiple driving styles: Economy, perf, etc. You can adjust on the fly, or just enter a pre loaded
Parameter and you are good to go. F/A ratios for about any driving style/range can be set as needed
E brock tech line: A little spotty at times. But I did get what I needed
Between the carb that was originally on the motor (well tuned) and the E Brock EFI: Night and day, period: Instant start up and idle in the hottest or coldest weather. The system will tune itself immediately for every altitude. Seat of the pants was very noticeable. Its all about fuel efficiency:
FAST EFI: This has got to be one of the easiest EFIs to install: Goes for about $2100 for the master kit. I got mine on ebay thru a FAST vendor for $1800 shipped.
The EFI unit bolts rights onto your existing intake. No mods required to your existing distro. No PC and no program chips to consider, in order to initially load the ECU or hand held programmer
Same issues with fuel lines and wiring: Can be messy, takes a while to get the fuel lines installed. You need a 3/8 return fuel line nipples at the gas tank. Mounting the EC U and fuel press regulator can be challenge to find mounting places. Os sensot mount is the same as E brock
Every single AN fitting and the EFI fuel lines are included. But not enough fuel line was included to do my Cuda. I was short about 2 feet or so.
Installation instructions are EXTREMELY clear. So was intial start up. The hand held is very easy to decipher, and walk thru instructions are very clear. I didnt need the tech line, so I cant comment on the FAST tech line.
Again, seat of the pants/efficiency of fuel was very noticeable: Start up/idle is spot on ,and the system tunes itself( as you loaded it) and tunes instantly as driving conditions change. This system can be installed by about anyone
I’m running a 727, and the stick kickdown fit right on. Hood clearance is NOT an issue as the system is the same height as a 4150. I’m running my 4 barrel shaker with no mods or problems
I know this post is a very, very brief overview: If you want to ask specific questions, plz do so right on this post (not by private msg) so everyone can see the input. Again, this was a very brief comparison, and the intent was not to really compare the 2 systems or compare EFI against carbs, but to see what I encountered in both systems.
On both systems I drive from approx 12000 ft down to basically sea level, and they run like raped apes as they tune themselves for long drives, I can lean the misture out in about 1 minute, and really save on the gas. I can even pre load dif settings for dif types or driving: Just hit a button and I’m there
Topic: EFI install observation: FAST vs Edlebrock 2 Pro Flo 3550 (Read 12177 times)
