Carburetor VS Fuel Injection | Is It Worth The Swap?

With classic cars and trucks you have two options when it comes to fuel management. Carburetors and electronic fuel injection can be hard to choose from. We offer brands like Holley, Holley EFI, Quick Fuel, Demon Carburetion, MSD Atomic EFI to help you make sure you are getting the best parts!

Hey folks, it's David from First Place Auto Parts, and I've been in the shop tweaking the carburetors on my '56 Chevrolet. As I worked on them, I couldn't help but wonder—could modern self-learning fuel injection units enhance the performance and drivability of this classic ride? If you're considering upgrading from the old carburetor to a modern fuel injection system for your muscle car or truck, this video is for you. We'll dive into the benefits and drawbacks of both systems, helping you decide if the switch to fuel injection is worth it. So, let's get back to tuning my '56 Chevrolet, but stay tuned for some valuable insights!

🛠️ **Carburetor Overview:**

🔧 **1. Carburetor Basics**
Understanding the carburetor, its role in the engine, and how it operates based on the Bernoulli principle. Carburetors may seem simple, but they're complex devices with various circuits for different engine conditions.

🔍 **2. Benefits of Carburetors**
Exploring the advantages of carburetors, including their relative affordability, versatility in tuning, and the hands-on experience they offer to gearheads who enjoy tuning their engines.

💡 **Fuel Injection Insights:**

🔧 **3. Precision of Fuel Injection**
Diving into the world of fuel injection, a precise method governed by sensors and computers to optimize the air-fuel ratio for the engine's needs. Highlighting the advantages of precise fuel delivery in various driving conditions.

🔍 **4. Benefits of Fuel Injection**
Unpacking the benefits of fuel injection, such as continuous optimization of the air-fuel ratio, improved fuel efficiency, reduced contamination in oil, and longevity due to sealed and tested components.

🏋️ **5. Carburetor vs. Fuel Injection: Performance**
Addressing the performance debate. While fuel injection excels in drivability and real-world driving scenarios, carburetors may still outperform under wide-open throttle conditions.

💰 **Cost Considerations:**

🤔 **6. Cost Analysis**
Weighing the costs of carburetor replacement or rebuild against the investment required for a fuel injection upgrade. Discussing the repairability and skill level needed for both systems.

🔧 **7. Installation Challenges**
Highlighting the straightforward installation of carburetors versus the involved process of installing a fuel injection system, including considerations like the electric fuel pump and additional sensors.

🔍 **8. Tuning Hurdles**
Discussing the tuning aspect of both systems, where carburetors may require manual adjustments and fuel injection might demand additional tuning skills or the assistance of a third-party tuner.

🔗 **Explore Fuel Injection Options:**
For those considering a fuel injection upgrade, check out the links in the description to explore Holley standalone retrofit fuel injection units available on our First Place Auto Parts website.

👍 **Subscribe for More:**
If you found this video informative, consider subscribing to the First Place Auto Parts YouTube channel. We're constantly adding new content on everything car enthusiasts love.

🚀 **Conclusion:**
In the end, the decision to stick with a carburetor or upgrade to fuel injection depends on your preferences, driving habits, and the type of performance you seek from your classic ride. Each system has its unique merits, and it's all about finding the right fit for your project. Until next time, keep the hammer down and keep it between the guardrails. 🏁 #ClassicCars #CarburetorVsFuelInjection #AutoUpgrade #FirstPlaceAutoParts

[itsalldoable]

Very good video for someone who is considering fitting EFI. All the pros and cons considered. Many of which I hadn't thought of. Very well balanced video 👍👍👍

[josecora]

If you are old school expert carb. mechanic, go carb. If don't know a thing about carb, do yourself a favor, GO EFI !! Simple !!

[slomorico]

Carbs= fuel first, then air. Injection meters fuel by airflow. A drag car needs fuel first but doesn't turn corners so carbs work for that application. A rock bouncer on the other hand, will benefit from injection, it will stay consistent at any angle of g force influence.

[partymeeple]

You had me giggling at controlled leak..
~ laughs ~

[sailincat]

Thank you for this video. It's very helpful. I especially appreciate you covering the disadvantages as well. I have a 302 Windsor in a project car, currently with a 600 cfm Holley on an Edelbrock manifold. The carb is definitely not correctly tuned now, with poor driveability. I'm weighing the cost/advantages of retrofit EFI.

One thing I'd like to know is whether an aftermarket 4-barrel EFI provides any added hood clearance over an equivalent carb? Seems like it might not need to be as tall without the stack up of concentric venturis, choke plate, etc.

[geofordman]

Have you checked the MAP sensor readings? My map sensor in the Atomic died and caused similar problems.

[chadkline]

Carburators have never caused me trouble in any temperature or weather conditions, and I've always lived in -40 - 100F conditions with 71 models onward. As long as they are periodically cleaned and adjusted every 5-10 years or so. And I'm talking cars and motorcycles. And I always passed emissions tests with 0% of anything bad. EFI may have some extreme conditions where it may beat a carb by a few percent in some performance parameters, but the amount of mining, industry, and production for all the added parts EFI requires creates a lot more damage to the air+environment than carbs ever did, IMHO. Electronics are a scheme to profit more as I see it. It's a development in profiteering, not really a development in environmental conservation or engine performance. If airplane engines run fine with carbs from -60 - 120F, from 500ft below sea level to 25, 000ft above, there's no reason cars+motorcycles can't. And that not even including all the extra labor+materials+expenses involved in the computers that are required to read and manipulate the onboard computers. Nor is it including the fact that EFI does not monitor all appropriate changes in atmospheric conditions. Generally, they monitor air mass flow and an exhaust sensor which is not enough for the variety of driving conditions.

[armygreenfj]

After watching so many videos of people having problems with EFI I decided im going to stick with my carburetor set up. I haven’t had any issues with my Edelbrock AVS2 yet and its been turning on and running even in cold temperatures below 40F. I don’t have to worry about my ECU going out or O2 sensor going out on me.

[eduflavianotv]

Luckily the 2nd hand Honda civic I bought was carburetor type.

[lonniebell]

I have a 1991 Chevy K 1500 and I’m thinking about swapping it from being fuel injected to carburetor

[barrykilts]

F.I.is definitely better but parts companies are out for one thing like everyone else, money!they make it sound so easy and much better which both are fairly true but we don’t all have a couple thousand bucks to throw at our projects especially after they have been built for carb tech..carbs are expensive enough for me and the difference in power doesn’t warrant it but yes they are better.nice car and thumbs up on the tunnel ram, glad to see carbs on em.

[brandonjohnson]

The thing about fuel injection is that it won't leave u on the side of the road but a carb will

[Joseph-tfhu]

My advice is avoid any throttle body with a built in ECU. Heat destroys ecus. I toasted two. Get a remote mounted ecu.

[randytucker]

My question is about the alcohol gelling with my carbs problem. I can take jelled gas and fuel injector and start and run. I'm tired of cleaning carbs. But, I'm a serious amateur, so what about fuel gel problems?

[Switchblxde]

im trying to do more research on carburetors… I have a chevy camaro 231 cu in 3.8l with a 2bbl carb. Are 4bbl better than 2bbl? Ive seen people put 4bbl carb on a 2bbl intake… is that damaging???

[stephendavidcavuoti]

Well after dealing with carburetors, and now having fuel injection systems, I would never go back to carburetors no more bogging out the line! Are diaper locking‼️

[andrewbocho]

EFI is ok, until it goes wrong. The price of sensors and fuel pump are a lot more expensive.

[sacooper]

its not worth the swap if you go with holley sniper, im having EMI RF issues and have found countless you tube videos with many other sniper issues like t9uchy throttle, wire connector plug on injectors coming off, plus countless ECU failures

[stephendavidcavuoti]

Please go to Nicks Garage he has shown were fuel injection and Carburetors on dino and you can set and achieve more horsepower and torque with fuel injection☝️‼️

[JNOSNOW]

Skip everything and go Aces EFI. So easy.