hey guys,
a freind of mine is planning on swapping his 302 EFI in his truck (1990 f-150 302 w/ 5 speed, whole truck is completely stock) for a 351. he is using the truck as a hot rod (wild paint job, very little lift with wider tires), and hes wondering if he should go carb or EFI. this truck will be used only to cruise around and go to shows and maybe a little stoplight racing now and then. performance wise, which one is the better choice? gas mileage isnt really much of a problem because the truck wont be used too often. thanks for any input!

 

351.

Take care,
-Chris

 

carb or efi? thanks

 

That's a tough question. Money and experience play big roles in making that decision. I personally would probably go carbed, only because I'm old school, and have been looking for a new project engine to play with my Holley's on, but EFI would probably be a better choice for your friend. Parts would be easier, and cost would be lower.

Take care,
-Chris

 

we figured that efi would be more expensive since he wants to go hoigh performance. bigger injectors, adjustable regulator, bigger fuel pumps, computer tuning, things like that would still make efi cheaper than carb? thanks for your help!

 

Well, when you put it that way, maybe not. Both would require the same internal engine mods, intakes (carb intake would be cheaper), injectors/carb, both need fuel pumps & a regulator. EFI would require a 351 ECM. Switching to carbed would require a new ignition system, from the control box (MSD, Crane, etc.) to the distributor, and the cleaning up of excess wiring. The easiest way would be to do it himself, but if he has any doubts about his understanding of the engines electrical system, than do it the cleanest way: The cleanest way would be to buy an engine compartment harness from Painless Wiring. A new throttle cable and kickdown cable would be required, as well as modification of the existing fuel line.

When you add it all together, the added cost of the ignition system and the wiring make up for the cost difference involved with EFI parts and the ECM. I would still say the carbed set-up would be more expensive by the time you're done, but it would be close. It also depends on how much of it he's going to do and how much of it he's going to have done.

Take care,
-Chris

 

go carb and put a big a$$ holly dat tree fityone. While your at it add some N-juice too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.f150world.com/hakiem

 

i believe hes going to have a shop do a majority of the work. if EFI is going to be cheaper, then that will most likely be the route that he will go. thanks for the help!

 

With that EFI 351 and he'll want to do mods he'll need alot of computer tuning especially if he wants any kind of a big cam. Remember he'll be speeddensity unless he forks over the cash to convert to mass air. I wouldn't mess with the mass air though. You can do just as much with speeddensity. One of the investments he should make is the EEC tuner. It's a reprogrammable chip that you plug into your PC or laptop and can program your trucks computer to your hearts content. With an aftermarket chip or the EEC tuner you can do all you want to with the speeddensity. You can change to better heads and intakes without a chip but if you start getting large with the cam you will HAVE to do a chip or EEC tuner. Especially if he is doing the 351 swap ya'll should come over to the National Lightning Owners Club site. You'll get ALOT of info over there for it. Get on the forum for the GEN 1 Lightnings and run a search for whatever you're looking for. And if it doesn't come up just post and we'll try to answer/help you out. Good luck with the swap.

National Lightning Owners Club http://nloc.org/

 

thanks for the link, MO4x4. ill check it out!