SB Chevy retrofit, Accel vs. Edelbrock?

[John Hess]

For an autocross car, you might consider the essentially stock TPI 
system off an early '86  engine.  It will build the torque you need 
AND you should be able to get the essential parts (including the 
computer) junked out somewhere.  I have seen the complete systems 
listed for as little as $500.

Note that you need the early model (iron heads) '86 model, though. 
 The later models changed out the manifold mounting bolt 
configuration.  You will probably want to modify the left (driver 
side) fuel rail and manifold (plug the cold start injector and fuel 
source for same) and run the '89 series EPROM (this changes the cold 
start fuel enrichment to the computer, rather than the extra 
injector...just another part to go wrong!).

As an alternative, you might go for aftermarket heads, in which case, 
go for the '89 system, complete.

John

(Opinions are like assholes.  Every one has one and they all stink!)

----------
From:  cabiness at lucent.com[SMTP:cabiness at lucent.com]
Sent:  Sunday, December 22, 1996 9:56 PM
To:  diy_efi at coulomb.eng.ohio-state.edu
Subject:  SB Chevy retrofit, Accel vs. Edelbrock?

I'm new here. I checked the archives, but didn't find much on this.

I'm currently working on building a new motor for my autocross car. 
 I
want to convert to to EFI to increased throttle response (and build 
as
much HP as possible :-).

The engine is a '70 LT1 long block (ie. 11:1 compression, solid lifter 
cam
(don't have the specs here with me now, but known for low vacume), 
going into
a '74 Vette body (3600 lbs).

The easiest routes seem to be either the Edelbrock Pro-Flo or Accel 
Super-Ram
kits.  I know someone with the Edelbrock system on the same car/engine 
setup
and is very happy with it.

Has anyone had any experience with these systems that they would like 
to share?
(Ideally with both, yea I know it's a lot to ask).  Like how hard are 
they to
tune?  Is a dyno needed to get them set up?  Has anyone seen/done a 
head-to-head
comparison of these (or other) systems?

Here's my current thinking, make comments as you like (be kind please 
:-)

The Edelbrock is cheapest, and according to my friend, works quite 
well.  No
graphical interface, no data recording.

The Accel claims most torque (I haven't seen any data to confirm 
this).  I
believe that with the interface SW you can do data recording which 
with a
g-analyst could become a poor-man's dyno to ease tuning.

The big question, is the Accel (possibly more torque, graphical 
interface)
worth the extra $1000 + laptop?  Or should I just go with the 
Edelbrock and
put the $1000 toward dyno time?  Anyone know of a shop with a chassis 
dyno
in the Chicago area?

Any other options that I'm missing (time to develop is a concern)?

Thanks for any help.

Kenton Cabiness
krc at ihgp.ih.lucent.com