looking for truth about carbs..., do they really ruin your engine? Options

[pete914]

so,
i know a lot of people on here must be running carbs with stock a stock cam. everyone knows about Dr. 914's advice about putting a carb on your engine.
i've posted on here before that i'm thinking about moving my 1.8L to a FI setup from the POS carb that's on there now. reason being i don't want to ruin my engine as i need it to keep chugging (around 92k on there now) for another 3 years until i'm out of school. However, this is going to be quite an undertaking in that i will have to remove the gas tank, fuel lines, find wires that have been cut from the exit on the firewall, as well as install the FI system having zero experience.

right now (i'm a student spending my savings) i just want reliability. If i put a single (appropriate sized...what is the appropriate size?)carb on the car am i still risking wearing out my engine "twice as fast"? i feel like a single weber would be a plug and play option and allow me to save a little $ and a lot of time in the installation. again, performance is not my main goal here.
i have access to a garage and the full gambit of tools, ijust don't know if i want to spend the time and headache installing an FI system (although i do love working on the car). i feel like i might be getting in over my head especially because there isn't anyone in the immediate area to turn to if things head south.
thus far the work i've completed on the car is minimal:

adjusted valves
switched tranny mounts
switched alternator and harness
installed heating system

that's pretty much my experience, period.
whaddya think?

your opinions are appreciated.

[SLITS]

I can't see how a "carb will ruin an engine". The only problem I can see is on cold startup or if the carb is improperly adjusted creating a really rich mixture which can wash the lubrication off the cylinder walls or improperly adjusted and running lean.

That said, I am an FI guy. I will keep FI until I can't get parts (translated - can't afford them or they go NLA).

If the FI system is in good order when removed, fitting it to an engine is not that great of a task.

[pete914]

slits,
i agree completely, i feel like the correctly sized carb which isn't putting too much fuel into the cylinders should be fine. albeit, not quite as efficient as FI.
once i get the system installed, the L-tronic is timed from the points on the dizzy right? so "timing" would be unaffected?
maybe i should just go for it. all said though:
$300 for the system (found a used one from a trusted source)
? for new fuel lines
? for all new hoses
what do you think ballpark price would be for upgrading my beloved little money pit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I can't see how a "carb will ruin an engine". The only problem I can see is on cold startup or if the carb is improperly adjusted creating a really rich mixture which can wash the lubrication off the cylinder walls or improperly adjusted and running lean.

That said, I am an FI guy. I will keep FI until I can't get parts (translated - can't afford them or they go NLA).

If the FI system is in good order when removed, fitting it to an engine is not that great of a task.