Considering an update to my '77 L48 to EFI.

What is the most cost-effective system out there to do so?

Any pitfalls that folks have learned through experience?

 

I'm gonna follow this as I am getting ready to do the same.

 

Stock L48? You can go with FiTech's base version "GoStreet EFI" for under $800. If you want to give yourself a littl emore growing room and a few more features, their "Go Efi 4" can be had for under $1000.

They are the hot new efi because they have the same features as the rest (MSD, Holley, Fast, etc.) for substantially cheaper. Lots of reviews on here and all over the net right now.

 

most cost effective probably swapping a tbi setup from 3rd gen fbody or 87-95 truck to your stock motor. pros- parts are cheap / cons- tuning sucks, getting live data sucks or cost makes system not worth it.

92-95 LT1 engine swap, easy engine swap, easy engine tuning, could be cheap if you can find a deal on the set up.

Aftermarket EFI - if you have the patients mega squirt(I think) is assemble yourself to keep it cheap. The other systems come ready to install but cost more. Make sure you find one with auto learn it will make the process more enjoyable while you learn.

 

I'll have to do a bit more reasearch, obviously, but I can keep the mechanical fan, etc correct?

I'll need to upgrade to electric fuel pump, thought, correct?

 

Yes you can keep the mechanical fan and yes you will need to step up to an electric pump. FI needs more pressure and it cant pulse like a mechanical pump. Lots of systems out there. All work well when tuned correctly and setup correctly. I have run Mass Flo and Currently have an LS3 with pretty much stock computer and fuel system. I am running a Fast EZ efi 2.0 on my Cobra. Only 50 miles on it so ffar but it is learning and running well so far.

 

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel...on/sniper_efi/ I like this .some thing else I have thought about is 5-10 years after I bought a efi will I still be able to get parts .with the holley I think they will still be there.

 

I installed FI on my 70 nova and used an external pump trying to save a little . I twas way too noisy and the pump ran hot .
Then I purchased a tank with the pump inside from Tanks Inc . I should have done it right the first time and not tried to save $ .

 

EFI? FIRST, you have to do some research and decide what you are going to use it for and what you want. 1980's Chevy pick-ups had efi - I'm reasonably certain you don't want that system on your C3.

The basic questions you need to consider are:
* do you want a wet flow or a dry flow system?
* Are you more interested in a) drivability b) performance c) bling?
* How price sensitive are you? Remember, you get what you pay for - a low price will get you a repop of the 80's pick-up system, with bling.
* What does the system control?
* Is it designed for an automatic or manual tranny? This can create a drivability issue.

You can throw any advertised EFI system onto your C3, and the car will run (just like you can throw a carb out of the box onto your manifold) In both cases, if you choose poorly, you will not enjoy the change as much as you might.

(FYI, I am running a much modified early 90's tuned port on my 77, on top of a crate L31 with roller cam and vortec heads. It puts out good power - mods got rid of the falls on its face at 4500 rpm - and maintains the drivability and instant response of a stock engine.)