Edlebrock EFI

[BigRed Beast]

Pricey at around $2200, I was wondering if anyone had installed the E Street throttle body system from Edelbrock:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ed...FcY7MgodviQA1A

Wondering if any fuel savings are negated by the stock transmission ratios--can you really save enough to ever make it worthwhile?

The math I did: stock 10 mpg with fuel at $3.50 a gallon vs. 18 mpg (pulled from air). Filling a 23 gallon tank would result in a savings of $3.68 a tank; it would take 600 tanks to pay for itself. Obviously, a higher fuel cost would change the payback.

Thoughts?

[Bigdav160]

My opinion is there is no difference in fuel economy between EFI and a properly tuned carb.

The benefit of EFI is better cold start drivability and automatic altitude compensation.

This is different than new vehicle direct fuel injection which pulls the heat out of the combustion chamber due to fuel vaporization. Higher chamber pressures can be run increasing efficiency.

Fuel economy and engine longevity have increased due to, mostly, gear ratios. Think overdrive transmissions and proper axle gearing.

[jaros44sr]

If you are going for fuel economy, jmho but, money would be better spent on an od trans. Now, if your looking for the cool factor, and tuneability,......

[BigRed Beast]

Yeah, I kinda figured as much--too good to be true, especially with the transmission issue of the TH350. Is the 700R still the best replacement?

[jaros44sr]

I was looking into the 700, but i think the 4l 60, or 80 is abetter choice. I forget my reasoning. The nice thing about the trans swap is that you just have to move the engine forward a couple inches, and all the rest of the powertrain stays where it is

Plus you get more clearance at the firewall around the distr.

[AlaskaMatt]

I get the point of the OP but his math is way off. 10mpg to 18mpg is an 80% increase in economy.

Keeping the numbers easy to work with let's say a 20 gal tank got you 200 miles for roughly $80 before (10mpg/ $4 gas is expensive here and it's a round number)

Same $80 will get still you 20 gallons but now you will go 380 miles. Basically you cut your gas bill nearly in half. (18mpg same $4)

All that said, even saving ~$35 a tank still is a lot of tanks to pay for the EFI. And no I don't think anyone will see 18 mpg with EFI.
Posted via Mobile Device

[AlaskaMatt]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

I was looking into the 700, but i think the 4l 60, or 80 is abetter choice. I forget my reasoning. The nice thing about the trans swap is that you just have to move the engine forward a couple inches, and all the rest of the powertrain stays where it is

Plus you get more clearance at the firewall around the distr.

I went with the 700 but 100% agree about moving things forward.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by AlaskaMatt

I went with the 700 but 100% agree about moving things forward.
Posted via Mobile Device

How did the swap work out for you

[BigRed Beast]

Interesting comment on the 700r vs. the 4L60. Would you try to get one of the electronic versions and make it work with adapters/etc.?

BTW, my numbers on the tank stuff was off, but not so much so--it took 457 tanks at 3.50 a gallon and an increase in mpg from 10 to 18. The math gets better the more expensive fuel is.

[AlaskaMatt]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

How did the swap work out for you

Very well. I'm still chasing a few little things around with the diesel but that's an always thing with this truck. I'm currently getting 17mpg all around and just got 13.5 towing my camper. 12.5 in the hills. I track every drop that goes in out of curiosity but also as a diagnostic tool. Changes in mpg let me know if things are amiss. Pretty happy with the bump in mpg. I had an 11.2 mpg average over 4 years with the 350/350 combo.

Right now I'm avoiding replacing a rear pinion seal. I just don't feel like doing it. Maybe next week. An engine and tranny swap can really take the honeymoon out of turning wrenches for a hobby.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by BigRed Beast

Interesting comment on the 700r vs. the 4L60. Would you try to get one of the electronic versions and make it work with adapters/etc.?

BTW, my numbers on the tank stuff was off, but not so much so--it took 457 tanks at 3.50 a gallon and an increase in mpg from 10 to 18. The math gets better the more expensive fuel is.

Back when i was considering a trans swap, three factors entered into my decision. Cost, final drive ratios, ease of swap

Cost went in favor of the 700

Final drive went to the 4L

Ease went to the 700, because of the tv cable, but now i think there are kits and info on this, so this maybe a push

At the time i didnt have a computor, so now i have to rethink the whole swap

[mtully79]

Just curious regarding tracking the mileage, I have a 6 inch lift and 35s and my speedometer isn't reading true due to the wheel diameter. Speedometer will read 50mph and I'm travelling 56-57mph. Is there a way for me to adjust for that?

[chuckmc8]

[QUOTE=BigRed Beast;6113441]Pricey at around $2200, I was wondering if anyone had installed the E Street throttle body system from Edelbrock:

For less than $2200 I installed a low mileage 5.3 with 4l60 that included modified computer and wiring harness. That also included alternator, PS,A/C compressor, and fuel system. No way that I would consider putting $2200 into an aftermarket fuel injection system unless I had a matching number engine value combo etc.....then I would still swap to the LS

[70-K5]

Originally Posted by mtully79

Just curious regarding tracking the mileage, I have a 6 inch lift and 35s and my speedometer isn't reading true due to the wheel diameter. Speedometer will read 50mph and I'm travelling 56-57mph. Is there a way for me to adjust for that?

You can get ratio adapter. They are either under or overdrive. They screw in place of the speedometer cable and then the speedometer cable screws onto the output.



http://www.transmissioncenter.net/sp...n_______va.htm
go about two pages down and you'll see it.

[mtully79]

Cool, thanks.

[BigRed Beast]

Chuckmc8: did you do the 5.3 and 4l60 install yourself into a blazer?

[chuckmc8]

Originally Posted by BigRed Beast

Chuckmc8: did you do the 5.3 and 4l60 install yourself into a blazer?

Yes I did, It was not difficult. I fabbed the mounts so that I could leave the a/c compressor in the stock location and the mechanical fan work in the factory shroud.
I cant seem to upload the pic, Ill try again later to get some pics posted

[72blazerblue]

Originally Posted by chuckmc8

Yes I did, It was not difficult. I fabbed the mounts so that I could leave the a/c compressor in the stock location and the mechanical fan work in the factory shroud.
I cant seem to upload the pic, Ill try again later to get some pics posted

could you explain how you did the wiring, throttle cable, and fuel pump?