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Rochester FI on C3 ?

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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 02:26 PM
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Default Rochester FI on C3 ?

I was just curious if anyone has ever seen a Rochester Fuel Injection
on a C3? I would think if they worked ok with a 327, they should work the same on a 350. Perhaps the throttle body might have to be a little larger for the extra displacement. I had the FI unit on my 64 couple and was happy with it. It would get better mileage then the carburated cars...if you kept your foot out of it. Oh course now, the
Rochester units are considered "collector items" and the prices are out of sight.

Jeff
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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 03:09 PM
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I have not seen one on a C3, but, in theory, it should work. I am sure cost has quite a lot to do with it.

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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 03:32 PM
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Yes. The FI unit would be worth about twice what the car is worth! There are aftermarket FI units that look much like the old Rochester FI and are much more affordable. And, they do the job better with the O2 sensors and such.
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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 04:20 PM
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Agree w/ 7T1Vette.

The Rochester FI is really used to massively increase the value of a car that was originally equipped with it.

It likely has better fuel atomization than a carburetor, but far more specific tuning requirements.

A TPIS MiniRam, GM RamJet, or Holley Stealth Ram will all achieve a decently respectable fuelly "look", and work significantly better.
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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 04:48 PM
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I'll throw this in just for the uber cool aspect of modern efi in a Rochester setup.
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_07...te_efi_system/
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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 09:18 PM
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My car has Rochester fuel injection. At least it says "Rochester" on the fuel rails...

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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 09:27 PM
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Most of the (TBI) Throttle Body Injected units were built by Rochester. So, ya I have seen a few in C3's All of the 82's. We are currently running a 650 CFM Rochester TBI in our 350 Chevrolet in one of our Jeep CJ7.
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 12:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Learning_Curve
My car has Rochester fuel injection. At least it says "Rochester" on the fuel rails...

Yes, i wanted to say the LT1 conversion is a close match but with electrionic FI. I believe u can convert the LT1 intake to GEN I by drilling out the distributor hole - but i can't recall how they make the thermostat crossover. Maybe they (GEN 3 camaros or C4 vette owners) use a different manifold base. But I have read its been done and maybe a forum search would find one.

Good luck and post what u can find,
cardo0
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 12:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Vintagevetter
I was just curious if anyone has ever seen a Rochester Fuel Injection
on a C3? I would think if they worked ok with a 327, they should work the same on a 350. Perhaps the throttle body might have to be a little larger for the extra displacement. I had the FI unit on my 64 couple and was happy with it. It would get better mileage then the carburated cars...if you kept your foot out of it. Oh course now, the
Rochester units are considered "collector items" and the prices are out of sight.

Jeff
They are a crappy old mechanical FI. I had a 1964 unit for a few years and then removed it
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 01:01 AM
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Yes two guys I know that are long time autocrossers each ran Rochester FI systems on their C3's.
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 01:54 AM
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LT1 piece use a remote thermostat mount it anywhere.
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 07:01 AM
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If u want something
get 2x4's
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 10:44 AM
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Carbs (any kind) do not = fuel injection
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 01:17 PM
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I have run 65 injection unit on our 71 for many years. Currently is off the car, always had to remove to pass Calyfornua smog inspection, but inspection no longer required on 71's,,, but will be going on again one day. Loved the look, the smoothness of the engine and fuel economy was far better. Engine is a de-stroked 400 ci,,,about 380 inches or so now.

Simple installation,,,you must set up for using a cable connection,,,65's use a rod,,,for the accelerator,,,,simple custom mounting bracket is required for the cable. You must use either an LT-1 or big block hood for clearance,,,and you must devise an air cleaner.

***** out performance will be down a bit as Rochester is only 625 CFM or so, whereas with a 700 Holley double pumper or 780 vacuum carb, engine had more air and fuel to work with.

Last edited by Sxrxrnr; Oct 2, 2012 at 01:21 PM.
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 07:08 PM
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Air/fuel flow from that Rochester FI is a bit disappointing, if your 625 CFM estimate is correct. I would have thought it would have more capacity than that. Any Q-Jet can do 750 CFM; some can flow 800 or more.

But, that doesn't change how cool the Rochester unit would look on a C3. I've thought about it myself....then I woke up and realized the $$$ involved.
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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 09:46 PM
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Default Duel Throttle Bodies

Back in the 60's on the Bill Thomas Cheetah...they took a Rochester FI unit and modified it with two throttle bodies mounted on top. I assume this was to get more air flow into the engine.




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Old Oct 2, 2012 | 09:48 PM
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Default TPI to LT1 conversion.

Here's a good article: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec...onversion_ls1/

TAKE A LOOK.
cardo0
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Old Oct 5, 2012 | 03:55 PM
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Well the easier route would be the Holley Stealth Ram or TPIS mini-ram (as mentioned) and probably make more power too. Even GM performance has a 350 "ram" FI for sale too. And Edlebrock. Just all those manifolds have the throttle body and air cleaner stuck on the end which takes from the vintage look.
I think all are an improvement over the carb or vintage FI but the C3 just looks better with the air scoop sticking upwards rather than forwards. Yeah that cheetah is bad azz looking.

cardo0

Last edited by cardo0; Oct 5, 2012 at 03:56 PM. Reason: missing adverb
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Old Oct 5, 2012 | 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Vintagevetter
Back in the 60's on the Bill Thomas Cheetah...they took a Rochester FI unit and modified it with two throttle bodies mounted on top. I assume this was to get more air flow into the engine.




A close friend of mine from Santa Cruz area had one of these modified injection systems back in the late 80's. I suspect he still owns it as he never sells anything. Has a huge collection of toys from the 20's thru the 80's,,,just buys never sells,,,likely worth 100's of thousands if not millions.

I am not certain if I am remembering correctly, but think that I've seen a Rochester unit with 2 air meters on the left side of the dog house. Likely someone will correct me if I'm remembering wrongly.
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Old Jun 17, 2017 | 11:32 AM
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Default Rochester Fuel INJECTION ON C3

Originally Posted by Sxrxrnr
I have run 65 injection unit on our 71 for many years. Currently is off the car, always had to remove to pass Calyfornua smog inspection, but inspection no longer required on 71's,,, but will be going on again one day. Loved the look, the smoothness of the engine and fuel economy was far better. Engine is a de-stroked 400 ci,,,about 380 inches or so now.

Simple installation,,,you must set up for using a cable connection,,,65's use a rod,,,for the accelerator,,,,simple custom mounting bracket is required for the cable. You must use either an LT-1 or big block hood for clearance,,,and you must devise an air cleaner.

***** out performance will be down a bit as Rochester is only 625 CFM or so, whereas with a 700 Holley double pumper or 780 vacuum carb, engine had more air and fuel to work with.
I have had a 1965 Rochester FI on my 1969 since 1975. Clears the original small block hood, although close fit. The later C3 body mounts may have increased hood clearance though, hard to tell at this point.
Love the looks, since my '62 was a factory fuelie, I was rather hooked.
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