EFI Conversions - Are they reliable for daily use?
 

Many of you have done the various CIS to EFI conversions. I have not seen any remarks regarding long term reliability in a daily driver situation.

If you have done this conversion to a normally aspirated engine or a 930 would you trust it on a long trip? Would you trust it as a daily driver?
What components would be most likely to leave you stranded?
Which manufacturers of hardware or software are most durable?

mega squirt in my car would out dobt make it to CA and back

The aftermarket EFI conversions aren't that much different than OEM units if you think about it. You have a ECU, a wire harness, various sensors, injectors, fuel rail and throttle body/bodies. If the quality of these components is good there is no reason the reliability should also be good. I recently ordered a complete

I accidently hit the send button. What I was saying is that I recently ordered a complete EFI system from Motomotions, this kit included TWM throttle bodies,a Megasquirt ECU,Motomotions harness assy,their relay board,Bosch injectors and various brands of sensors. The quality of the installation is based on my ability as a shadetree mechanic but I don't doubt the quality of the individual components.

Agree, if installed and programmed correctly, there should be no reason why it'd be less reliable than an OEM setup.

In a few more months my tbitz EFI conversion will be two years old. The car is a daily driver and has probably had over 30,000 miles put on it since the conversion.

I have had no problems. Car starts first time, everytime, and runs very well.

I would expect an EFI conversion, if it's done correctly, to be more reliable than a 20+ year old CIS system.

-Mac

EFI is digital. Cut a wire or disconnect a connector and it will stop working. Completly. That's both good and bad.

CIS can/will fail in a multitude of hard-to-troubleshoot ways.

That's only partially true. Many of the ECUs can run without some sensors hooked up. It's kind of limp home mode where they just make due with the info they have.

Megasquirt is the product I was most concerned about due to it being possibly the least expensive unit out there.
What is the difference between the expensive $8000 units and the Haltechs and Megasquirts?

My car currently uses a minimized stock CIS system. It performs very well with component failures broadcasting their issues long before they quit. Even at that a system failure generally won't strand you - and that is most critical to me.

I went with Haltech. It has a nice case to protect the ECU. It comes with the wiring harness and relays. It also comes with the Map sensor, temp sensor, air temp, TPS Sensor for about 1,100. It has the advantage of using low or high impedance injectors, and has ignition control built in. I found this to be a good buy.

I've been using the Megasquit from TBITZ, on my 76' 2.7 Turbo. I haven't had a problem all summer and has given me such control of my fuel curve that it is awesome. It made the car feel like it has a whole lot more power and throttle response than before. I wouldn't go back

Here's pic's. Rarly does the car look familiar? I saw pic's of yours a few years back and said I have to make mine look like that car.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1133661912.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1133661988.jpg

Yep, looks familiar. Seems we have similar taste in body styles!
Glad to hear these aftermarket systems are holding up. You never know about stuff like that, factory equipment is built to last a 100,000 miles. Aftermarket stuff is built to last until you get it paid for.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1133671332.jpg

Check out Megasquirt-II http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/megasquirtii-engine-management-system-wpcb3-unassembled-p-59.html

I'm building the board right now and there is a ton of support if you have any problems.

Chuck

The Megasquirt forum is very good. Between Tony and the board I have been able to tune my car, yet I knew nothing on how to do it when I installed it.

OScar

Rarly your car looks great as usuall and BB nice looking ride!

Just finished my MS-II tonight.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1134008504.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1134008890.jpg

Now all that I have to do is wire it up................

What are you doing? Building this thing from scratch? Man I thought I was anal!

Nice work, Chuck. I'm down in Durham and have a MSII, also. Let's talk as we start wiring these things up (probably 4-6 weeks away for me).
Mike

I've learned a lot building this thing but you can get them from several venders completely assembled and tested for another 160.00. (250 + 160 $410.00)

BTW this setup is for a turbo charged Datsun 260 but the 911 is next.

Mike, let me know when you are setting up your car or if you need help building the ms. I'm pretty close by.

Chuck