Fuel delivery system poll, What are you running and why? Options

[rwilner]

It's not news to anyone here: stock FI parts wear out and are becoming harder to find, which means maintaining the stock FI system in a reliable and well-operating condition is becoming challenging and expensive.

This is not meant to be a debate on which is the best because that's purely a personal decision based on many factors...I'm just wondering what people are running.

Feel free to add in why you're running what you're running in this thread. I personally am converting from stock FI to megasquirt this winter because

1. It's cheaper than refurbishing my ailing stock FI system
2. Replacement parts will be readily available for the next 20 years
3. The system is more flexible and will more easily support a larger motor when I have the funds and time
4. It seems like a wicked fun project

Of course, I'll be keeping the stock FI in boxes "just in case..."
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[SCV]

Stock FI is my current fuel delivery system of choice because it is relatively simple compared to modern FI, allows the stock-cammed engine to generate more power and torque (better driveability), provides better fuel economy for a stock engine, and it works well enough. There is room for improvement, though, and I'm considering available options for the future, when the stock engine will be replaced with something more powerful that will exceed the capabilities of stock FI. The tinkerer in me loves carburetors, despite their sometimes glaring shortcomings, but my practical side likes the idea of being able to just get in and drive.

For example, when properly tuned/configured, modern FI allows the user to make elevation changes that would leave a carbureted engine sputtering and unhappy, where a FI equipped engine wouldn't miss a beat. (Ex: Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) ) Carbs are easy to tune once one understands the theory of their operation, but it take more effort overall to make carbs run well than it does to set up FI. Increased fuel economy is just a bonus, as far as I'm concerned. Besides, the 36 DRLAs on my Type 1 satisfy any tinkering urges, when applicable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) At this point, I'm leaning towards SDS FI or equivalent for the new engine.

-S

[Prospectfarms]

Stock FI is my current fuel delivery system of choice because it is relatively simple compared to modern FI, allows the stock-cammed engine to generate more power and torque (better driveability), provides better fuel economy for a stock engine, and it works well enough. There is room for improvement, though, and I'm considering available options for the future, when the stock engine will be replaced with something more powerful that will exceed the capabilities of stock FI. The tinkerer in me loves carburetors, despite their sometimes glaring shortcomings, but my practical side likes the idea of being able to just get in and drive.

For example, when properly tuned/configured, modern FI allows the user to make elevation changes that would leave a carbureted engine sputtering and unhappy, where a FI equipped engine wouldn't miss a beat. (Ex: Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) ) Carbs are easy to tune once one understands the theory of their operation, but it take more effort overall to make carbs run well than it does to set up FI. Increased fuel economy is just a bonus, as far as I'm concerned. Besides, the 36 DRLAs on my Type 1 satisfy any tinkering urges, when applicable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) At this point, I'm leaning towards SDS FI or equivalent for the new engine.

-S

That was well said. I think carburetors are neat, and until less than a year ago they were the only fuel system I would work on. But the carburetors that are readily adaptable to type IV engines are just not very efficient and modern gas wreaks havoc on all carburetors. Gaining expertise on the jetronic system is part of the fun and something that will keep me entertained for a while.