FI or 2-4s?

[Michael J.]

If it were you, and you have experience with '57-'58s that have FI or 2-4s, which would you choose if you wanted a reliable car that would start and run for 20-160 mile trips and in between sitting in a garage for a few weeks. Thanks in advance for your expert opinions.

[Greg D.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Depends where you live. Here in Southern Ca when the temp gets hot FI's don't run very well. And even mixing leaded fuel they still are temperamental and hot start. Go carbs

[Michael J.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Depends where you live. Here in Southern Ca when the temp gets hot FI's don't run very well. And even mixing leaded fuel they still are temperamental and hot start. Go carbs

Let me add some info, I am at 6500' elevation, high mountains of New Mexico, usually below 90 degrees in summer, cold in the winter.

[Kevin S.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

My dual-quad '61 works great on hot days and I have driven it when the temp is near freezing. As an added plus for long trips you can adjust the second carb so it doesn't kick in for improved mileage.

[Don H.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

A well tuned Fuel Injection will run very reliably in about any weather. With good fuel I can start mine with very little trouble in 90 degree plus temps (Iowa). Many years ago (about 30) my wife's vehicle would not start so she got into the '60 (with F.I.) and started it (had to crank a while - had not been started in months) to drive the kids to school. It was somewhere around zero and the school principle was amazed when she drove up to let them out. It was so cold that everything was frozen and the car did not even get dirty. Don H.

[Dan H.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Michael, having owned and driven both, the FI is hands down smoother and a better driving setup. It will adapt to the altitude easily. Drive mine in So Cal year round, no problems.
Dan

[James G.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Michael, I lived in BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA for 26 years. Altitude 5680, but mountain peaks at 8800 are a regular drive down to the LA Basin. Temp was -10 degrees to 90 degrees depending on the season. I never had any problems once the unit was adjusted properly. As Greg says, todays ''corn'' based gasoline, does not run well in FI cars at idle. The engine wants to die, when you come off a freeway ramp on a hot day. But, as Dan says, properly tuned, they will work fine. If you like to tinker and tune, you will have fun with FI, and you will love the gas mileage. In 1974 I took the 2x4 carbs off my 270 hp 57 and installed a early 4360 unit. Gas mileage went from 9 to 18 mpg instantly. Every solid lifter car I had after that was a fuel injected model. And I owned a lot of Corvettes over the years.

[Bruce B.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Here in southern Ohio we have lately had summers in the high 90s and pretty cold winters.
My early 57 250 HP FI Corvette runs , starts and runs fine at both extremes with no starting problems.
The fuel unit is a very early 4360 (POC according to JD) but when well tuned correctly they run fine.
The key is properly tuned, good fuel (I use Shell 92 or 93 octane which has ethanol in it ??) and drive the car.

[Terry D.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Michael
You are not going to get a definitive answer. This, as with lots of questions, is a matter of personal choice. Some will say FI, some will say carbs. It's your car run what you are most comfortable with. After all if you have problems out on the road you are the first responder! Just my old 2 cents
Terry

[Michael J.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Thanks to all for your insights. It is good to hear many run the FI units and have no issues with occasional drivers. I guess the key is to find one that is well tuned, working well, and ask lots of questions about it. I would love to have the FI, just something neat about it and I have always wanted one, thanks.

[Bruce B.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Terry,
How is the weather in upper Ohio?
I know that in Middletown it was around 7 degrees.
Here in Kissimmee it is very nice and it looks like the weather for the meet will be great.
Wish you were here.
Bruce

Michael
You are not going to get a definitive answer. This, as with lots of questions, is a matter of personal choice. Some will say FI, some will say carbs. It's your car run what you are most comfortable with. After all if you have problems out on the road you are the first responder! Just my old 2 cents
Terry

[Tom P.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

I have a moderately modified FI unit on a SB400 in my 56 and drive it almost everywhere, including long trips with a trailer in tow sometimes. As others have mentioned, FI units do not like heat during long idling or very slow traffic conditions. It's just the nature of the beast with today's gas. But once one is properly tuned-----------------as best as can be tuned, they are VERY dependable and run great. I took the 2x4 setup off my car 30+yrs ago, put them on the shelf, and have never looked back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1I9q3QAMac

[Stuart F.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Just for my old two cents worth; I had a 50 Chevy coupe back in the day and my last engine in it was a 58 290hp right out of my buddies 58 Vette (he went to a 59 389 poncho - ugh!). In the winter, at 0 degrees or above it would start, but at 2 below it would not unless I threw a GI wool blanket over the engine. It was always touchy in the summer, loading up at stop lights and fouling out the plugs. As such, I sold it and took in trade a set of quads which I massaged a bit. They would always start and performed well. The difference in acceleration performance was that the quads gave me better low end torque and were more impressive with the commandoes, but you could not top the fuelie from 3500 rpm on up. The quads would run out of breath, but the fuelie would pull strong to red line.

FWIW

Stu Fox

[Michael G.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Michael, This past Summer I had great success in eliminating the typical FI idle issues with my black 63. Long freeway drives and idling in traffic had little effect after I made some simple changes to the fuel system. All I did was insulate the entire fuel line, as well as the fuel filter, and put an insulating cloth under the plenum and spider. I found that I could even run 10 percent ethanol fuel, in very hot weather, without problem. I'd recommend those changes for anyone with a FI car that is driven regularly.

[Michael J.]

Re: FI or 2-4s?

Michael, This past Summer I had great success in eliminating the typical FI idle issues with my black 63. Long freeway drives and idling in traffic had little effect after I made some simple changes to the fuel system. All I did was insulate the entire fuel line, as well as the fuel filter, and put an insulating cloth under the plenum and spider. I found that I could even run 10 percent ethanol fuel, in very hot weather, without problem. I'd recommend those changes for anyone with a FI car that is driven regularly.

Now that sounds like a great tip, thanks.