Topic: can I put EFI on a stock 81
in Forum: C3 Engines
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Former Member
Send PM
deforest, WI - USA
Joined: 12/14/2016
Posts: 13
Vette(s): 1981 work in progress
Im trying to get some input on taking out my q-jet and going with EFI but with the vacuum requirements and the cpu and what ever else a totally stock 81 would need. Im just looking for plug and play not trying to gain thousands of hp just better mpgs and all the bennies of EFI, its all stock except for headers dual flow exhaust and intake manifold
there are a lot of different brands out there are there ones to stay away from and is there ones that are bullet proof, or are they just like most things you get what you pay for
Thanks for any input
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
I have an 80 vette and am looking into the Fitech Go EFI system. Some good videos on youtube about it. Simple plug in and self learning. There are other systems out there some similar to Fitech and others that look like one heck of an undertaking to me.
I have had my carb rebuilt several times and it's leaking again. Just getting tired of all the issues with it. Todays fuel injection systems are more reliable then ever before, better mpg, and better performance. When you look some of the videos of a first start after an install it's impressive.

Sarge 81 has used that set up, message him, he knows a lot about it. You also need to go with an electric fuel pump because of the higher pressure needed. Good luck with it.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82
I used the FAST efi system. Other than putting the pump in the fuel tank it was easy. The only issue was the map sensor. FAST makes a great unit but the one place they cheaped out was using a pos sensor. I got a delco unit at PEP boys and it has been flawless ever since.
I put a FiTech Go Street EFI on the wife's '87 Olds Cutlass 442 last year. The engine is a 350 Olds V8 with a pretty lumpy cam. I'm very happy with the unit. It is very affordable and is self learning. I did have one small glitch, but a couple of simple taps on the touch screen to reset and change the camshaft selection the unit was up and running. I opted to use a in-tank fuel pump with a C5 Corvette filter/regulator to supply the correct pressure. You can do that or they have a Fuel Command Center that takes the fuel from your stock mechanical fuel pump to fill up the sump. Inside the sump is the hi pressure pump and regulator that feeds the EFI unit.
The car starts so much easier, no more choke to worry about and my mileage jumped about 4 mpg's. The more you drive it, the better it gets. It's a fairly simple system to hook up. You are going to have to ditch your computer controlled distributor for a stock non computer HEI or go with a MSD unit.
Here is the link to their website:http://fitechefi.com
Plus there is a group on Facebook that is for FiTech EFI. It helps out people having any issues with the unit if they are having a problem.
Or you could go my route and rip everything out and stuff a Gen III or IV LS engine in your '81. 

TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.
Lifetime Member #26
Former Member
Send PM
deforest, WI - USA
Joined: 12/14/2016
Posts: 13
Vette(s): 1981 work in progress
thanks for the input just looking at the numbers AND idk a G for EFI a G for heads and as long as the heads are off should replace the cam and then pistons crank idk then what ever else what is it going to cost for a sb 350 350hp installed just in parts I think I can do the swap I do own a great set of left handed screw drivers
HAPPY TRAILS
in Forum: C3 Engines
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)