Want to know if anyone can tell me if they have any experience with one of Speedway's Hilborn EFI units on their flathead. I have a 48 Merc flattie that has a cam and Sharp heads and want to run this damn thing on the street. Any experience or advice? Thanks!
Thanks, Rand Man. I spoke to the guys at Hilborn and they said that they has some guys who were good with it and some were frustrated. I just don't want to keep "mapping" it..just want to jump in with little problems. Thanks!
I don't have any experience with this paticular unit, but I do know about the Hilborn 2 port EFI (see avatar). I'm pretty sure they use the same carabine ECU. These are NOT ready to run out of the box. The ECU is loaded with a base map that will get you started,(Hilborn loaded this based on my motor specs) but there is still a lot of tuning involved to get it running right. The only sensors included are: throttle position sensor, water temperature, and RPM's. You can add an optional sensor for altitude. The computer has a series of potentiometers set up at 1000 rpm intervals. Ie 0-1000,1000-2000,3000-4000 etc. They are then adjusted for idle,part throttle, and WOT. You do it with a small screwdriver. There is no map sensor. The computer takes the readings from the TPS, TEMP SENSOR and RPM's, and figures your fuel needs based on where you have each of the above settings placed. It takes a lot for granted since it doesn't use a map sensor. I actually like this setup because there is very little "EXTRA" to detract from your vintage motor. I had my flatty tuned on the dyno so I've not had to do any tuneing, but that is how it works. Hope this helps. Doc.
Sounds like a pretty simple EFI system, but it gives up some of the benifits of EFI with it's simplicity. Is it a oxygen sensorless system as well?
Thanks, Doc. For my baseline of experience, this seems pretty intimidating!!! Thanks for your time and insight. I will keep researching to see if I can find anyone near Chicago who might be able to assist me. Thanks, again!
If it's as simple as Doc says, it's no harder than tuning a carb, but instead of replacing jets and adjusting air bleed screws, your turning knobs to get the mixture right.
If you look at my posts from a couple of months ago you will see a FI system my son build for me.It rocks.
Bug, No 02 sensor. Yes, it is very simple as far as EFI's go. This is not the way to go if you are trying to squeeze every last bit of performance out of an engine. However,I do think that it is infinitely more tunable than a carb, and the throttle reponse is a thing of beauty. If you have access to a dyno where you can set each of the paramaters while watching the numbers it does a pretty good job. I was drawn by its simplicity and the fact that it is very unobtrusive installed. Doc.
Hi Guys, This Australian company also produces EFI in a hilborn style. http://www.flatattackracing.com/injection.html Just for reference. Danny
and flatdogs supercharged homebuilt EFI setup. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127092
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