FITech Experiences ?

[KyFarm]

does the electric fuel pump cause much of a drain on the electric system if you are still using a new but old style alternator with the external regulator?

[Big Kev-O]

Originally Posted by RootBeerFXS

Yoos guys running the external pump, what is the noise level like?

I have ordered a kit from Summit and ETA is 3/28. Not a lot of time for shakedown before the Power Tour.

Its not too bad. A quite a bit louder than an in tank efi depending on where you mount it. Mine is mounted to the inside of the frame rail and I have dual two chamber flowmasters. You can hear it at idle mostly because you know its there. I can hear it in a drive thru when I'm near a wall. I can't hear it driving down a road. It would probably be annoying without performance exhaust.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Here's their quick reply :
Hi Robert,

*

We do not have the password control yet, we are looking into it right now.

*

Thank you,

.
I wonder if you could just set the Rev Limit to like 500 RPM. Send to ECU, and then unplug the Handheld Controller and take it with you.

[LostMy65]

I guess someone wants to make a little money off some poor unsuspecting soul. :-(
http://denver.craigslist.org/ptd/5452209425.html

[LostMy65]

The truck sits for 4-5 weeks and one turn of the key and it starts right up. Nice!

[funkatation]

What air cleaners are you guys using! My drop base doesn't fit. A 1" sure seal wasn't enough to clear and I tried a 2" and it's too tall for the hood to close. I have a 5" filter and really need at least a 4".

[RootBeerFXS]

Pushed back another month. Wow. Is it really worth the wait? Power Tour leaves 6-11 and the new "arrival" date is 5-27. That's cutting it really close. No shakedown time really at all.

[Z10]

Guys,
We have had a bit of progress installing the FiTech on my 69 Camaro. Thought you might like to see some pics. My buddy Diceman, who was the mastermind on my 72 is also working on this one. We're basically waiting for our buddy Double E to spare some time to wire it correctly and cleanly.

Oh, it has been pressure tested and no leaks.

Enjoy.

[Z10]

And a few more of the command center with hard lines.

[LostMy65]

Thanks for the update.
Very Clean!

[funkatation]

I'm having cold start issues with mine still. Takes 2 tries to start. Been on the phone with them multiple times. If I turn the key on and off and let the fcc prime twice it works on the first crank. I've upped the cranking fuel a bunch (like 50 points so far). Anyone else have this issue? It seems fuel related. I don't have a big cam in my 489.
Posted via Mobile Device

['63GENIII]

I just read through this thread and it is very interesting as I am about to put a 1997 Vortec 454 into my '63. I have the factory '97 port injected manifold, Howell wiring harness and computer. Right now, Im debating over scratching the factory FI in favor of the FITech setup just for ease of set up. With my factory set up, I still have to buy new injectors, regulator and swap to an 0411 computer so that I can get it tuned easier. Basically its a lot of money, work and time that I could probably save by going with the FITech 600 maybe.

My main question is would I lose / gain a noticeable amount of power by going TBI vs the factory port injected system?

The engine is a '97 7.4 Vortec, stock lower end and heads. Straub roller cam set up for the factory FI. I have a Blazer tank with the in tank pump already in place so I think Im covered for the basic fuel system.

Any info is greatly appreciated as always.

Happy Memorial Day!

Chris

[schpeen]

Originally Posted by funkatation

I'm having cold start issues with mine still. Takes 2 tries to start. Been on the phone with them multiple times. If I turn the key on and off and let the fcc prime twice it works on the first crank. I've upped the cranking fuel a bunch (like 50 points so far). Anyone else have this issue? It seems fuel related. I don't have a big cam in my 489.
Posted via Mobile Device

mine does the same only when cold tho i learned to hold the key on a little longer when she is cold did you come up with a reason yet?

[funkatation]

Originally Posted by schpeen

mine does the same only when cold tho i learned to hold the key on a little longer when she is cold did you come up with a reason yet?

I've had different issues on and off with this thing. I like you found if I just kept cranking it when cold it would start after 6-9 seconds. Shouldn't be like that one would think. I'm in process of replacing my tank and putting in an in tank pump and new lines. This fuel command center is not good for me. It gets hot and won't send enough fuel past 3000 rpm sometimes, doesn't like to start when warm sometimes, hoping this fixes it. I don't have a radical cam by any means.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by funkatation

I've had different issues on and off with this thing. I like you found if I just kept cranking it when cold it would start after 6-9 seconds. Shouldn't be like that one would think. I'm in process of replacing my tank and putting in an in tank pump and new lines. This fuel command center is not good for me. It gets hot and won't send enough fuel past 3000 rpm sometimes, doesn't like to start when warm sometimes, hoping this fixes it. I don't have a radical cam by any means.

There is an update about this. I guess you need to change the Fuel Pump IDLE Pulse Width Management and set at 38%, the pump temperature was barely higher than a pump that's not running.

Here is a great thread on this, http://www.chevelles.com/forums/89-e...te-fitech.html

[funkatation]

They had me change that, it didn't help a whole lot.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by funkatation

They had me change that, it didn't help a whole lot.

Bummer. Starting to get worried about the FCC and I have two of them. Guess we'll how they work.

[funkatation]

Thanks for sharing the thread. It looks like folks were able to get refunds. They were less than friendly about it with me so time to get a little meaner.

[funkatation]

No luck getting a refund at this point, trying to talk to ownership. I got my in tank pump running and it resolved all the issues I was having before with the Fuel Command Center.

[Z10]

Here's an update. I let my car sit for about 3 weeks in the garage. Started up on the first try. Yes it was a cold.....a blistering 85degrees.

So far I'm pretty pleased with mine. I don't have many miles on it, for lack of time, but it seems to be working as advertised. I do know that it woke up my ZZ4.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I wonder if it's possible for them to put a password control for the ECU that we could use to lock out the unit
It would be a simple way to prevent the vehicle from starting without your permission.

Originally Posted by swampbog

I was also wondering how/if I could use the unit as a anti-thief device.
I might just go the simple route and put a kill switch in line to keep the pump from running. I do that now with my electric fuel pump but the carb float bowls hold enough fuel that you can drive it away before it runs out of gas. I wonder how long the injectors will still squirt without a pump.

.
I came up with another idea - tried it today.
The lowest Fuel Cut Off RPM setting is 1400 rpms. I entered it and 'Sent To ECU', removed the handheld controller, and the engine won't Rev above 1400.
If we could set it as low as 500 or lower, they couldn't even idle out of the parking lot.

[funkatation]

I forgot to update, I was able to get a refund on my FCC finally, from the reseller, not Fitech.

[HAULIN' IT]

I recently installed the FItech 1200 power adder unit on my truck to sort it out before putting it on my turbo motor. Right away I noticed the lack of "fuel smell" being in & around the truck. I went to the track & by the third pass the MPH was right where it was a few weeks before with the carb & the fuel mileage is notably improved.

My research told me to stay FAR away from the fuel command unit..."Fuel pump in a can". The idea seems great, but they sure are having trouble with them.
Z10, I hope your's works out for you! You did a VERY nice job installing it...hate to see you need to punt, but many have done just that to end up with a reliable system.

I went with the AEM 380 lph pump...hopefully it will work out ok.

The only problem I've had with mine was the hand-held controller went wacko (screen kept "rolling" from like to line & wouldn't allow any changes) & wouldn't let the truck start since I had it plugged in when this happened (changed the TACH input to coil). Once the key was shut off, it saved the "bad" info & failed to start. I called FItech & explained what was happening & was told to loosen the 4 screws on the back...sure enough that "unpinched" the touch screen & all was good. They sent me a new hand-held controller just to be sure. It came in a few days & everything has been fine up to this point. Lorne



I made a jumper harness to use the TPS output from the FItech to also command my transmission when to shift. This way, no cut/spliced wires

[Z10]

Guys, I wish I had more to report. My 69 Camaro has not moved since my last report. Life has gotten in the way. As to the fuel commander, it's really a sweet looking piece. If you'll look at my build thread on my 72 GMC you'll see where my good friend Dice Man actually fabricated a similar system utilizing a couple of high pressure calibration gas cylinders. This system has worked great and now has 10k miles on it. If the fuel commander had been available at the time, we probably wouldn't have gone to all the trouble of fabricating what we call a surge tank.

If and only if the fuel commander craps out, I'm sure we'll just modify it and install a high pressure corvette fuel pump in it and make it work.

[funkatation]

Originally Posted by HAULIN' IT

I made a jumper harness to use the TPS output from the FItech to also command my transmission when to shift. This way, no cut/spliced wires

Can you go into more detail on this? They told me splicing wires would void warranty. Really want to ditch the separate tps.