carb or not to carb
09-28-2010 | 07:34 PM
#21
Registered
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 22
From: Fort Worth, Texas
No...he will not need another harness. The best thing to do is to unplug all the connections that will not be used and just tie them up out of the way. The only wire that is needed for the MSD distributor is the ignition wire HOT when the key is turned on. All the other stuff on the stock distributor is just there...tie it up out of the way. You do not want to cut anything because some of the connections are looped around together and if you cut the wires off, you have killed the loop...and you might need it.
09-28-2010 | 08:00 PM
#22
Registered
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 1
From: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
I dont think anyone paying 100K for a motor that is EFI will be changing it to a carb anytime soon, but one can build a motor that is just as reliable as the 1075 or the 1300 with carbs for a lot less money. The 1300's that I have been told about go into the guardian mode for no reason or no reason found...true or not...I did not see it...just told about it. Mercury has sunk tons of money into their EFI program, but Mercury does not have the money to invest into it as do GM, Ford or Chrysler. Basically I see them on the second from the last tit. If your EFI system works with no issues...I am all for leaving it alone and run your motor as is. But I have seen too many go South after the first little problem...seems like it is one issue after another. The people that have gone to carbs after having countless problems with the EFI are finally getting to enjoy their boat on an everyday basis and are very happy.
As for my vehicle...I tow with an Avalanche. YUP..it is EFI, but is has never given me any problems...so I will leave it alone. But if it ever does...out comes the motor and in goes one with a carb on it and Al GORE can bite me for my carbon footprint. The vettes...one has a carb and one is EFI...again the EFI has never given a hint of an issue. Sorry, the wife does not have a mini van. She wanted an Altama so thats what I got her. Seems like the Japaneese has surpassed Mercury also...again...no issues with the Altama. Almost forgot...I also have a 08 GoldWing, but it too is Japaneese and EFI...works great and no issues. If my scooter startrs giving me trouble, I can order the parts and make it a Valkery GoldWing. Got a few friends with Harleys and even Harley has their act together over Mercrury...no issues.
As for not being able to buy a car or truck with a carb in the past 20 years...sure you can. Car lots are full of them. It might not be new, but it will be new to whoever buys one. If I get another boat with EFI/MPI and I decide that I dont like it...off it comes...again AL GORE...bite me. If your EFI/MPI is working and not giving you any problems...I agree...by all means...leave it alone and enjoy your whatever ride. But in the same breath, if it starts giving you problems, it is going to be endless and all one has to do is start asking people about theire problems with EFI. When they respond, it usually starts out with the mighty "F" word.
As for my vehicle...I tow with an Avalanche. YUP..it is EFI, but is has never given me any problems...so I will leave it alone. But if it ever does...out comes the motor and in goes one with a carb on it and Al GORE can bite me for my carbon footprint. The vettes...one has a carb and one is EFI...again the EFI has never given a hint of an issue. Sorry, the wife does not have a mini van. She wanted an Altama so thats what I got her. Seems like the Japaneese has surpassed Mercury also...again...no issues with the Altama. Almost forgot...I also have a 08 GoldWing, but it too is Japaneese and EFI...works great and no issues. If my scooter startrs giving me trouble, I can order the parts and make it a Valkery GoldWing. Got a few friends with Harleys and even Harley has their act together over Mercrury...no issues.
As for not being able to buy a car or truck with a carb in the past 20 years...sure you can. Car lots are full of them. It might not be new, but it will be new to whoever buys one. If I get another boat with EFI/MPI and I decide that I dont like it...off it comes...again AL GORE...bite me. If your EFI/MPI is working and not giving you any problems...I agree...by all means...leave it alone and enjoy your whatever ride. But in the same breath, if it starts giving you problems, it is going to be endless and all one has to do is start asking people about theire problems with EFI. When they respond, it usually starts out with the mighty "F" word.
Oh, I agree! Those 1075's aint cheap, then again, price a 1100HP motor from Stellings or Teague and see what it costs. You are correct you CAN build a motor that makes the same power for less money, however, will that motor idle through "no wake zones" without loading up? or be "tame" enough to back in and out of a crowded Marina and a second later rev to 6K without missing a beat?
Carbs work very well, they where around for a LONG, LONG, time and have been designed and re designed to the point of being almost perfect, but, they do have limits and I think we have reached them. In many cases people like to stay with "what they know". I am a 3rd generation drag racer and I remember my Father/Grandfather talking one day about the HUGE uproar when "Electronic" ignitions came out, I remember my Father telling me that he had good friends/fellow racers that where DAMN good at turning wrenches who swore it was a fad and would NEVER use anything but points ignition, ironically, the reasons where very similiar to why people dont like EFI set ups now.
But, when was the last time you seen a points ignition on a vehicle? To be honest, the points set up does work, and for the most part, worked well, but, it had limits, and needed to be replaced by something that was arguably "better".
I too am a "vette" guy, the oldest one being a 63 split window [sadly, it was a small block, with points! lol] and the newest being an early 90's ZR1 which I loved until I realized I couldn't afford to pay for it, as well as pay for insurance and gas [ouch!]
Given the choice to drive either one for an hour I would take the 63 hands down, but, picking one to drive to Florida and back without fear of breaking down? I would have to lean towards the ZR1.
In Any form of motorsports thats allows them, EFI motors are usually the quickest, ask any competitive NHRA Pro Stock or Winston Cup wrench if they would like to see fuel injection allowed, and they will usually start drooling at the thought.
I agree, that it IS easy to fix a carb or carbed motor, but, there is also someting to be said for being able to just plug in a "scan tool" and in 15 seconds having the probllem diagnosed.
I look at it like this: Carbs where around forever, and where very dominant, but, the same can be said for dinosaurs.
I have no problem with Carb stuff, and still get wood at the site of a pair of split doms on top of a sheet metal intake, but, I think that other than in a handfull of cases, Fuel Injection is going to slowly phase out carbs. It seems to a natural progression, kinda like records-cassettes-cds-mp3's and whatever comes next, LOL
If your carbed stuff works for you, then Great! as you say enjoy it every weekend and have a blast, after all, thats what we are "in this" for, Its just a matter of opinions and both are viable options
Have Fun!
Michael
09-28-2010 | 08:36 PM
#23
Gold Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, MI
Point Taken, and valid points the are, I appreciate your opinion!
Oh, I agree! Those 1075's aint cheap, then again, price a 1100HP motor from Stellings or Teague and see what it costs. You are correct you CAN build a motor that makes the same power for less money, however, will that motor idle through "no wake zones" without loading up? or be "tame" enough to back in and out of a crowded Marina and a second later rev to 6K without missing a beat?
Carbs work very well, they where around for a LONG, LONG, time and have been designed and re designed to the point of being almost perfect, but, they do have limits and I think we have reached them. In many cases people like to stay with "what they know". I am a 3rd generation drag racer and I remember my Father/Grandfather talking one day about the HUGE uproar when "Electronic" ignitions came out, I remember my Father telling me that he had good friends/fellow racers that where DAMN good at turning wrenches who swore it was a fad and would NEVER use anything but points ignition, ironically, the reasons where very similiar to why people dont like EFI set ups now.
But, when was the last time you seen a points ignition on a vehicle? To be honest, the points set up does work, and for the most part, worked well, but, it had limits, and needed to be replaced by something that was arguably "better".
I too am a "vette" guy, the oldest one being a 63 split window [sadly, it was a small block, with points! lol] and the newest being an early 90's ZR1 which I loved until I realized I couldn't afford to pay for it, as well as pay for insurance and gas [ouch!]
Given the choice to drive either one for an hour I would take the 63 hands down, but, picking one to drive to Florida and back without fear of breaking down? I would have to lean towards the ZR1.
In Any form of motorsports thats allows them, EFI motors are usually the quickest, ask any competitive NHRA Pro Stock or Winston Cup wrench if they would like to see fuel injection allowed, and they will usually start drooling at the thought.
I agree, that it IS easy to fix a carb or carbed motor, but, there is also someting to be said for being able to just plug in a "scan tool" and in 15 seconds having the probllem diagnosed.
I look at it like this: Carbs where around forever, and where very dominant, but, the same can be said for dinosaurs.
I have no problem with Carb stuff, and still get wood at the site of a pair of split doms on top of a sheet metal intake, but, I think that other than in a handfull of cases, Fuel Injection is going to slowly phase out carbs. It seems to a natural progression, kinda like records-cassettes-cds-mp3's and whatever comes next, LOL
If your carbed stuff works for you, then Great! as you say enjoy it every weekend and have a blast, after all, thats what we are "in this" for, Its just a matter of opinions and both are viable options
Have Fun!
Michael
Oh, I agree! Those 1075's aint cheap, then again, price a 1100HP motor from Stellings or Teague and see what it costs. You are correct you CAN build a motor that makes the same power for less money, however, will that motor idle through "no wake zones" without loading up? or be "tame" enough to back in and out of a crowded Marina and a second later rev to 6K without missing a beat?
Carbs work very well, they where around for a LONG, LONG, time and have been designed and re designed to the point of being almost perfect, but, they do have limits and I think we have reached them. In many cases people like to stay with "what they know". I am a 3rd generation drag racer and I remember my Father/Grandfather talking one day about the HUGE uproar when "Electronic" ignitions came out, I remember my Father telling me that he had good friends/fellow racers that where DAMN good at turning wrenches who swore it was a fad and would NEVER use anything but points ignition, ironically, the reasons where very similiar to why people dont like EFI set ups now.
But, when was the last time you seen a points ignition on a vehicle? To be honest, the points set up does work, and for the most part, worked well, but, it had limits, and needed to be replaced by something that was arguably "better".
I too am a "vette" guy, the oldest one being a 63 split window [sadly, it was a small block, with points! lol] and the newest being an early 90's ZR1 which I loved until I realized I couldn't afford to pay for it, as well as pay for insurance and gas [ouch!]
Given the choice to drive either one for an hour I would take the 63 hands down, but, picking one to drive to Florida and back without fear of breaking down? I would have to lean towards the ZR1.
In Any form of motorsports thats allows them, EFI motors are usually the quickest, ask any competitive NHRA Pro Stock or Winston Cup wrench if they would like to see fuel injection allowed, and they will usually start drooling at the thought.
I agree, that it IS easy to fix a carb or carbed motor, but, there is also someting to be said for being able to just plug in a "scan tool" and in 15 seconds having the probllem diagnosed.
I look at it like this: Carbs where around forever, and where very dominant, but, the same can be said for dinosaurs.
I have no problem with Carb stuff, and still get wood at the site of a pair of split doms on top of a sheet metal intake, but, I think that other than in a handfull of cases, Fuel Injection is going to slowly phase out carbs. It seems to a natural progression, kinda like records-cassettes-cds-mp3's and whatever comes next, LOL
If your carbed stuff works for you, then Great! as you say enjoy it every weekend and have a blast, after all, thats what we are "in this" for, Its just a matter of opinions and both are viable options
Have Fun!
Michael
In time the marine industry will be exposed to another more advanced fuel delivery system, and people will question it and if possible steer clear due to lack of understanding.
09-28-2010 | 10:38 PM
#24
Registered
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 22
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Point Taken, and valid points the are, I appreciate your opinion!
Oh, I agree! Those 1075's aint cheap, then again, price a 1100HP motor from Stellings or Teague and see what it costs. You are correct you CAN build a motor that makes the same power for less money, however, will that motor idle through "no wake zones" without loading up? or be "tame" enough to back in and out of a crowded Marina and a second later rev to 6K without missing a beat?
Carbs work very well, they where around for a LONG, LONG, time and have been designed and re designed to the point of being almost perfect, but, they do have limits and I think we have reached them. In many cases people like to stay with "what they know". I am a 3rd generation drag racer and I remember my Father/Grandfather talking one day about the HUGE uproar when "Electronic" ignitions came out, I remember my Father telling me that he had good friends/fellow racers that where DAMN good at turning wrenches who swore it was a fad and would NEVER use anything but points ignition, ironically, the reasons where very similiar to why people dont like EFI set ups now.
But, when was the last time you seen a points ignition on a vehicle? To be honest, the points set up does work, and for the most part, worked well, but, it had limits, and needed to be replaced by something that was arguably "better".
I too am a "vette" guy, the oldest one being a 63 split window [sadly, it was a small block, with points! lol] and the newest being an early 90's ZR1 which I loved until I realized I couldn't afford to pay for it, as well as pay for insurance and gas [ouch!]
Given the choice to drive either one for an hour I would take the 63 hands down, but, picking one to drive to Florida and back without fear of breaking down? I would have to lean towards the ZR1.
In Any form of motorsports thats allows them, EFI motors are usually the quickest, ask any competitive NHRA Pro Stock or Winston Cup wrench if they would like to see fuel injection allowed, and they will usually start drooling at the thought.
I agree, that it IS easy to fix a carb or carbed motor, but, there is also someting to be said for being able to just plug in a "scan tool" and in 15 seconds having the probllem diagnosed.
I look at it like this: Carbs where around forever, and where very dominant, but, the same can be said for dinosaurs.
I have no problem with Carb stuff, and still get wood at the site of a pair of split doms on top of a sheet metal intake, but, I think that other than in a handfull of cases, Fuel Injection is going to slowly phase out carbs. It seems to a natural progression, kinda like records-cassettes-cds-mp3's and whatever comes next, LOL
If your carbed stuff works for you, then Great! as you say enjoy it every weekend and have a blast, after all, thats what we are "in this" for, Its just a matter of opinions and both are viable options
Have Fun!
Michael
Oh, I agree! Those 1075's aint cheap, then again, price a 1100HP motor from Stellings or Teague and see what it costs. You are correct you CAN build a motor that makes the same power for less money, however, will that motor idle through "no wake zones" without loading up? or be "tame" enough to back in and out of a crowded Marina and a second later rev to 6K without missing a beat?
Carbs work very well, they where around for a LONG, LONG, time and have been designed and re designed to the point of being almost perfect, but, they do have limits and I think we have reached them. In many cases people like to stay with "what they know". I am a 3rd generation drag racer and I remember my Father/Grandfather talking one day about the HUGE uproar when "Electronic" ignitions came out, I remember my Father telling me that he had good friends/fellow racers that where DAMN good at turning wrenches who swore it was a fad and would NEVER use anything but points ignition, ironically, the reasons where very similiar to why people dont like EFI set ups now.
But, when was the last time you seen a points ignition on a vehicle? To be honest, the points set up does work, and for the most part, worked well, but, it had limits, and needed to be replaced by something that was arguably "better".
I too am a "vette" guy, the oldest one being a 63 split window [sadly, it was a small block, with points! lol] and the newest being an early 90's ZR1 which I loved until I realized I couldn't afford to pay for it, as well as pay for insurance and gas [ouch!]
Given the choice to drive either one for an hour I would take the 63 hands down, but, picking one to drive to Florida and back without fear of breaking down? I would have to lean towards the ZR1.
In Any form of motorsports thats allows them, EFI motors are usually the quickest, ask any competitive NHRA Pro Stock or Winston Cup wrench if they would like to see fuel injection allowed, and they will usually start drooling at the thought.
I agree, that it IS easy to fix a carb or carbed motor, but, there is also someting to be said for being able to just plug in a "scan tool" and in 15 seconds having the probllem diagnosed.
I look at it like this: Carbs where around forever, and where very dominant, but, the same can be said for dinosaurs.
I have no problem with Carb stuff, and still get wood at the site of a pair of split doms on top of a sheet metal intake, but, I think that other than in a handfull of cases, Fuel Injection is going to slowly phase out carbs. It seems to a natural progression, kinda like records-cassettes-cds-mp3's and whatever comes next, LOL
If your carbed stuff works for you, then Great! as you say enjoy it every weekend and have a blast, after all, thats what we are "in this" for, Its just a matter of opinions and both are viable options
Have Fun!
Michael
I did the drag racing thing too...loved it but decided that I was going to kill myself if I didnt stop, so I quit. I still go to the races, but I only watch or help friends.
Got friends running 1200 and 1300 HP motors out here and they are carbs. They dont load up but they sure sound good packing that air. I think the reason my carb stuff works great is because I dont mess with them every time I go out. I just turn on the key...wait a few seconds and pump them 2 or 3 times...then hit the key and the motors fire right up. I think the people that have issues with the carbs is because they seem to think that they need to adjust them all the time. I tell people to set it...then keep your hands off of it. This might be true with some and EFI motors as well...I just know enough about one to know better then to mess with it.
Whatever works best for someone is the way to go...cheers.
""In time the marine industry will be exposed to another more advanced fuel delivery system, and people will question it and if possible steer clear due to lack of understanding. ""
I bet that this will be the truth.
09-29-2010 | 08:55 AM
#25
Registered
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Point Taken, and valid points the are, I appreciate your opinion!
Oh, I agree! Those 1075's aint cheap, then again, price a 1100HP motor from Stellings or Teague and see what it costs. You are correct you CAN build a motor that makes the same power for less money, however, will that motor idle through "no wake zones" without loading up? or be "tame" enough to back in and out of a crowded Marina and a second later rev to 6K without missing a beat?
Carbs work very well, they where around for a LONG, LONG, time and have been designed and re designed to the point of being almost perfect, but, they do have limits and I think we have reached them. In many cases people like to stay with "what they know". I am a 3rd generation drag racer and I remember my Father/Grandfather talking one day about the HUGE uproar when "Electronic" ignitions came out, I remember my Father telling me that he had good friends/fellow racers that where DAMN good at turning wrenches who swore it was a fad and would NEVER use anything but points ignition, ironically, the reasons where very similiar to why people dont like EFI set ups now.
But, when was the last time you seen a points ignition on a vehicle? To be honest, the points set up does work, and for the most part, worked well, but, it had limits, and needed to be replaced by something that was arguably "better".
I too am a "vette" guy, the oldest one being a 63 split window [sadly, it was a small block, with points! lol] and the newest being an early 90's ZR1 which I loved until I realized I couldn't afford to pay for it, as well as pay for insurance and gas [ouch!]
Given the choice to drive either one for an hour I would take the 63 hands down, but, picking one to drive to Florida and back without fear of breaking down? I would have to lean towards the ZR1.
In Any form of motorsports thats allows them, EFI motors are usually the quickest, ask any competitive NHRA Pro Stock or Winston Cup wrench if they would like to see fuel injection allowed, and they will usually start drooling at the thought.
I agree, that it IS easy to fix a carb or carbed motor, but, there is also someting to be said for being able to just plug in a "scan tool" and in 15 seconds having the probllem diagnosed.
I look at it like this: Carbs where around forever, and where very dominant, but, the same can be said for dinosaurs.
I have no problem with Carb stuff, and still get wood at the site of a pair of split doms on top of a sheet metal intake, but, I think that other than in a handfull of cases, Fuel Injection is going to slowly phase out carbs. It seems to a natural progression, kinda like records-cassettes-cds-mp3's and whatever comes next, LOL
If your carbed stuff works for you, then Great! as you say enjoy it every weekend and have a blast, after all, thats what we are "in this" for, Its just a matter of opinions and both are viable options
Have Fun!
Michael
Oh, I agree! Those 1075's aint cheap, then again, price a 1100HP motor from Stellings or Teague and see what it costs. You are correct you CAN build a motor that makes the same power for less money, however, will that motor idle through "no wake zones" without loading up? or be "tame" enough to back in and out of a crowded Marina and a second later rev to 6K without missing a beat?
Carbs work very well, they where around for a LONG, LONG, time and have been designed and re designed to the point of being almost perfect, but, they do have limits and I think we have reached them. In many cases people like to stay with "what they know". I am a 3rd generation drag racer and I remember my Father/Grandfather talking one day about the HUGE uproar when "Electronic" ignitions came out, I remember my Father telling me that he had good friends/fellow racers that where DAMN good at turning wrenches who swore it was a fad and would NEVER use anything but points ignition, ironically, the reasons where very similiar to why people dont like EFI set ups now.
But, when was the last time you seen a points ignition on a vehicle? To be honest, the points set up does work, and for the most part, worked well, but, it had limits, and needed to be replaced by something that was arguably "better".
I too am a "vette" guy, the oldest one being a 63 split window [sadly, it was a small block, with points! lol] and the newest being an early 90's ZR1 which I loved until I realized I couldn't afford to pay for it, as well as pay for insurance and gas [ouch!]
Given the choice to drive either one for an hour I would take the 63 hands down, but, picking one to drive to Florida and back without fear of breaking down? I would have to lean towards the ZR1.
In Any form of motorsports thats allows them, EFI motors are usually the quickest, ask any competitive NHRA Pro Stock or Winston Cup wrench if they would like to see fuel injection allowed, and they will usually start drooling at the thought.
I agree, that it IS easy to fix a carb or carbed motor, but, there is also someting to be said for being able to just plug in a "scan tool" and in 15 seconds having the probllem diagnosed.
I look at it like this: Carbs where around forever, and where very dominant, but, the same can be said for dinosaurs.
I have no problem with Carb stuff, and still get wood at the site of a pair of split doms on top of a sheet metal intake, but, I think that other than in a handfull of cases, Fuel Injection is going to slowly phase out carbs. It seems to a natural progression, kinda like records-cassettes-cds-mp3's and whatever comes next, LOL
If your carbed stuff works for you, then Great! as you say enjoy it every weekend and have a blast, after all, thats what we are "in this" for, Its just a matter of opinions and both are viable options
Have Fun!
Michael
I agree with you 100%, but the problem with the MPI/EFI stuff is that the equipment needed to work on it and modify it is ridiculously expensive, to the point of being unaffordable for the average (or even above average) garage mechanic, and the cost of paying someone to work on it, IMO currently outweighs the reliability/efficiency benefits.
Here is a comparison - TPI stuff use to be impossible to work on, to the point where you HAD to buy certain camshafts that would work with the computer to get them to run right. Now anyone willing to spend $1,500 on a program and cable can hack a TPI computer with a laptop, re-program it, alter it, and do all of the modification yourself, in your garage. In the early 90's, for whatever reason, the car manufacturers didn't want to let the technology out to the public. Now it is readily available, simple to use, and relatively inexpensive.
I don't know what they charge for the computer systems that reflash ECUs, but I bet its a LOT more than $1,500 and on top of that the technology is much more secretive right now. When that cost comes down I'm sure that many more people will be willing to keep MPI/EFI systems, and more people will want to switch to them.
I was going to make the switch from carb TO MPI myself, but decided against it, as I like to tinker too much to get more Hp out of my stuff, and I don't want to have to send the ECU to BFE every time I make a change. On top of that, I'm not confident that they're getting everything out of my motor when they're programming the ECU from a hundred miles away, and basing the ECU changes off of what I'm telling them that I did to my motors.
When I can work on my stuff at my marina with my tools I will likely make the switch. I'm even willing to over-pay by thousands to get the technology to do so, but I'm not willing to over-pay by tens of thousands, and that's whats stopping me right now. I'm sure that many boat owners are in the same position or feel the same way that I do about the subject.
09-29-2010 | 11:09 AM
#26
Gold Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, MI
Michael,
I agree with you 100%, but the problem with the MPI/EFI stuff is that the equipment needed to work on it and modify it is ridiculously expensive, to the point of being unaffordable for the average (or even above average) garage mechanic, and the cost of paying someone to work on it, IMO currently outweighs the reliability/efficiency benefits.
Here is a comparison - TPI stuff use to be impossible to work on, to the point where you HAD to buy certain camshafts that would work with the computer to get them to run right. Now anyone willing to spend $1,500 on a program and cable can hack a TPI computer with a laptop, re-program it, alter it, and do all of the modification yourself, in your garage. In the early 90's, for whatever reason, the car manufacturers didn't want to let the technology out to the public. Now it is readily available, simple to use, and relatively inexpensive.
I don't know what they charge for the computer systems that reflash ECUs, but I bet its a LOT more than $1,500 and on top of that the technology is much more secretive right now. When that cost comes down I'm sure that many more people will be willing to keep MPI/EFI systems, and more people will want to switch to them.
I was going to make the switch from carb TO MPI myself, but decided against it, as I like to tinker too much to get more Hp out of my stuff, and I don't want to have to send the ECU to BFE every time I make a change. On top of that, I'm not confident that they're getting everything out of my motor when they're programming the ECU from a hundred miles away, and basing the ECU changes off of what I'm telling them that I did to my motors.
When I can work on my stuff at my marina with my tools I will likely make the switch. I'm even willing to over-pay by thousands to get the technology to do so, but I'm not willing to over-pay by tens of thousands, and that's whats stopping me right now. I'm sure that many boat owners are in the same position or feel the same way that I do about the subject.
I agree with you 100%, but the problem with the MPI/EFI stuff is that the equipment needed to work on it and modify it is ridiculously expensive, to the point of being unaffordable for the average (or even above average) garage mechanic, and the cost of paying someone to work on it, IMO currently outweighs the reliability/efficiency benefits.
Here is a comparison - TPI stuff use to be impossible to work on, to the point where you HAD to buy certain camshafts that would work with the computer to get them to run right. Now anyone willing to spend $1,500 on a program and cable can hack a TPI computer with a laptop, re-program it, alter it, and do all of the modification yourself, in your garage. In the early 90's, for whatever reason, the car manufacturers didn't want to let the technology out to the public. Now it is readily available, simple to use, and relatively inexpensive.
I don't know what they charge for the computer systems that reflash ECUs, but I bet its a LOT more than $1,500 and on top of that the technology is much more secretive right now. When that cost comes down I'm sure that many more people will be willing to keep MPI/EFI systems, and more people will want to switch to them.
I was going to make the switch from carb TO MPI myself, but decided against it, as I like to tinker too much to get more Hp out of my stuff, and I don't want to have to send the ECU to BFE every time I make a change. On top of that, I'm not confident that they're getting everything out of my motor when they're programming the ECU from a hundred miles away, and basing the ECU changes off of what I'm telling them that I did to my motors.
When I can work on my stuff at my marina with my tools I will likely make the switch. I'm even willing to over-pay by thousands to get the technology to do so, but I'm not willing to over-pay by tens of thousands, and that's whats stopping me right now. I'm sure that many boat owners are in the same position or feel the same way that I do about the subject.
http://www.mefiburn.com/
