Whats wrong with carbing a motor

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Whats wrong with carbing a motor

April 29, 2005, 12:03:27 PM

Why is it that so many guys go to the effort to keep the FI when they swap a 5.0, 302, or other v-8 into their car. Emmissions aside, I just dont understand. My carbed setup is super simple even with my MSD box. It may not get quite the gas mileage, but my performance carb is wayy more adjustable than a fuel injector and computer setup for the average guy. Plus I would rather go and spend a couple of bucks on jets and a high performance mechanical fuel pump then spend god knows how much on new injectors and a high flow electric.
Just my 2 cents...

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #1 – April 29, 2005, 12:06:20 PM

If you're happy with what you've done, what does it matter if the rest of us want better mileage or whatever reason we prefer EFI?

If I end up keeping my carbed 351, it'll eventually be converted to EFI. (if it goes to replace my ailing SO 5.0)

Well, I do have a confession to make.. IF the situation called for it, like if my V6 died tomorrow and I needed a functioning car badly, I would not hesitate to convert it to use my carbed 351. But I would be looking to get rid of the carb at some point.

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #2 – April 29, 2005, 12:23:55 PM

Efficency, reliability, adaptability and tuneability(with the proper equipment).

Yeah it can cost more for an EFI set-up, especially when you get into the tuning aspect of it, but it can also adapt to general changes in weather/barometric changes, etc instead of having to screw with it after you set your initial tune.

Some folks like to keep it simple, some folks don't understand how EFI systems work...some folks like to look forward. *shrug*
To me it's like a step backwards, all of my cars are EFI and will stay that way. If I get a car that is carbed...it will become EFI.

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #3 – April 29, 2005, 01:18:35 PM

I'm still thinking of putting a carb on my '85 T-bird that's currently CFI. I'm hoping, and banking on the fact that it will yield more power and at least a consistant idle. I have a 500 cfm now and I may return it for a 600, still not sure. I figure it's a quick way to get a bit more power from the engine as it stands (stock shiznitty heads and 90k miles).

My only concern is... once removing (not cutting) the CFI harness from the car, will it still be possible to upgrade to EFI? Or will it prove near impossible?

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #4 – April 29, 2005, 01:32:45 PM

If my car were Fuel Injection will be good. But i prefer my car with the carb because is very easy to repair and cheap. The gas mileage wont be better than the Fuel Injection setup, too. But for me, a fuel injection problem will be very very very expensive.........

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #5 – April 29, 2005, 03:04:31 PM

its all in what you do with the car, and what you know

generally, i see carbed cars being more consistant at the track, unless the weather drastically changes, EFI cars tend to constantly adjust themselves, too much for at the track

street driving is great with EFI, if youre in a time of the year, where in the afternoon, its 70* outside, and it drops to 35* in the evening, thats where EFI shines, starts easier, and doesnt have the dreaded "let it warm up or itll bog out" syndrom

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #6 – April 29, 2005, 03:51:38 PM

I like them both. I certainly wouldn't convert from either. My car had a carb when I bought it so that's what I'm working with. The tinkering that's involved with it doesn't bother me... in fact I feel kinda numb when there isn't something to do. Season change adjustments feel like changing tires, adjust timing, bypassing the heater core or anything else like such.

I've never had a starting problem that was related to the carb. And my carb sucks! lol. Ignition, yes. Carb... no. In fact... my car starts better in the cold! But I have had some driveability issues that wouldn't go away... which I feel the carb had something to do with. We'll see once I swap in the Holley.

But on the flip side my buddy has had numerous problems with his Mustang that just won't go away. He has power loss, starting issues, idles issues, and the what not. So both can have their share of problems and benefits.

It's a personal decision IMO.

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #7 – April 29, 2005, 09:46:13 PM

Quote from: Bird351

If you're happy with what you've done, what does it matter if the rest of us want better mileage or whatever reason we prefer EFI?

Nahh, its not that I really care, I just dont understand how guys sometimes dont use it as another option instead of trying to fix something that albeit not always but can become extremely compicated. I was just curious on what peoples thoughts were. My bronco II is FI and it is great, I can run that thing upside down on the rocks and it wont flood out like a carb would. I suppose that is a different situation entirely. It is also nice to be able to start it up and drive away immediately. Oh well, i guess both have their place and both have their pros and cons. I just think that most people dont realize that carbing a motor is a good alternative in some ways in modifying a motor instead of spending a LOT more money on fuel injection and other computer parts.

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #8 – April 29, 2005, 11:48:19 PM

I wise man once told me this when I asked him about switching from FI to carb.

" If you put a carb on your car you might as well take the hood off and mount a toolbox on your fender, because that where most of your time will be spent."

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #9 – April 30, 2005, 01:02:50 AM

its all in ones opinion....i like the idea of being able to run a different cam and not have the car buck, i like the versatility of the efi ,but i like the power of carb its a win lose situation IMO i think if you wanted a carbed t-bird get a older one

i love the changeability of the carb, but i hate the maitenence (sp?)....... i like the fuel injection cause its reliable, but i also hate it cause of the expenses when somthing goes wrong....

TMO

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #10 – April 30, 2005, 02:27:06 AM

Quote from: 289Cougar

I just think that most people dont realize that carbing a motor is a good alternative in some ways in modifying a motor instead of spending a LOT more money on fuel injection and other computer parts.

I owned carburated vehicles for the first 28 years of my driving life... fornicatesk carbs... After owning my first EFI(I bypassed CFI completely) in '93 I ain't going back...

Only thing I own now with a carb, is the old 428 Cobra Jet Fairlane. Since it would only de-value the car to modify it(and there is nothing but aftermarket stuff for the old FE engines), it will stay carbed. But if it was a 351 car, I'd toss the carb in the corner in a heartbeat..

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #11 – April 30, 2005, 08:45:26 AM

I dont get what all the problems are that people are complaining about. I have had my '85 Cougar for over 6 years with a carb and NO driveability problems at all, including the winters. Always started right up and drove great. It had an occasional hesitation when the motor was cold in the winter but after that it would run like the wind.

It was so good in fact, that I am keeping it that way, mainly because you never see a 4 barrel carbed set-up on the streets anymore. (that and I am planning a 6-71 Blower set up in the future

)

I have considered the EFI swap, and I have EVERYTHING I need to do it, but I want the nostalgic look. Guess I'm just a sucker for the muscle car/street rod look. :shrug:

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #12 – April 30, 2005, 11:30:37 AM

You all have me reconsidering my choice to swap to a carb. However, with the intermittent no-start problems of my TC lately I'm quite leary.

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #13 – April 30, 2005, 11:48:25 AM

it would be easier to fix my car if I didnt have to check all of the solenoids and wires and things. Right now I am looking at wiring issues

Re: Whats wrong with carbing a motor

Reply #14 – April 30, 2005, 01:38:54 PM

For every 10 people that say that carbed setup sucks there are 10 more that will say the same about EFI. Truth is Both can be made to work well and both can also make your life hell.

With a NA motor or a bottle fed motor a carb will work well and be very easy to tune.
I Boost motor can be done OK with a carb but a EFI setup is much better and can be tuned so much better to make big power yet still drive fine on the street.

So witch is better? its the same as saying witch is better a import or a dom?
apples or oranges? U can take a mismatched carb setup and never have no luck but u can do the same with a EFI too so its only as good as the whole setup.

Money wise most people say EFI cost more. Well ya it will when u look at stock replacment carb or a holly off the shelf then ya there cheap but go with a Pro Built crab and u will spend 1000+ on a carb then the 400+ for a good race pump.
MSD and billit dis gets added to list then a good intake. Money is adding up.
My air bleeds kit alone cost 200 and with that i can fine tune my car for the street and run lean and then chang 4 bleeds on top of the carb and i'm ready to race.
Cold or hot day i change bleeds or if the track is slick i change for that.

Trust me i can change the bleeds in the same time it takes a EFI guy to plug in his labtop and reprogram his setup.