FITECH EFI 600 Basic and Command center intall with pics, factory tank

[steveo3318]

I have been ask to do this install thread so here goes. Please do not reply until I have the 41 pictures loaded and the video.

Heres the 67, 385 stroker with 3 on the tree with borg warner Overdrive. 373 rear gears.


the Fuel command center, you will need 10 to 12 foot of extra low pressure fuel line if you mount in the same location as I did. One from pump, one to frame vent line if the truck is equipped. My truck has a 72 frame and fuel tank.


the location, notice there is not a flat spot so i Built this bracket from 3/16, there was alot of mach up in and out. No pictures of paint but yall know what that looks like.












I removed factory fuel line and cut it right after the 90 and pointed towards the frame and flared the newly cut end. I ran all the fuel lines below the fan shroud and zip tied them there.









Ok heres the only part that gave me any trouble. I don't wish push locks on my worst enemy. I tried wd40, grease, ky jelly, you name it all in the vice while damn near standing on it. My neighbor came over "a 56 year old DOT" machinery mechanic and tried and said something wasn't right. we tried a torch and it immediately cracked the inside of the hose. Finally I tried boiling them and I still had to put out with all my might with vegetable oil on the fittings. Lets just say the hose or fitting will break before the connection.





A few pictures installed and buttoned up other than hoses and wire

[toolboxchev]

That looks awesome, I had a hard time following for a second on the hose thing, yet I love the outcome.

I would love a report on any increased performance or mileage increases.

[steveo3318]

Ok here is the throttle body and parts





Lets just say it wouldn't be one of my projects if something didn't go wrong. Stripped the Allen head. But I drilled it out and got her out. and yes I used a magnet and got all the metal out of the intake.







Old carb off and plate and gaskets



TB on and test fitting.









Parts you will need if you use a 1/4 stud. want to replace the thin vacuum plugs with thicker quality, and a breather riser if your running a lower breather like I am. All Oreillys parts, about 20 bucks.



Ok THE COMMAND CENTER DOES produce a good amount of pressure that must go back to the tank. I used the factory vent line on the frame that goes to the passenger side. But I do not have a vented out cap being a 72 tank so I had to add another vent. here was my solution. If you have a non EEC tank with a two way vented cap you will not have to do this but you will need to run a vent back to the tank from the fuel command center.









Heres my O2 bung I welded in. Not much to say about it.





Temp sensor and fuel lines finished





A final picture all wired up. I didn't take any pictures of the wiring because its extremely simple and each wire is tagged on each end. If you have any wiring questions just ask. I DO NOT have a two wire distributor so I cannot use timing control at this time but I do plan to in the future.



heres where I installed the display with the suction mount they provided. I do have vintage air so If you have factory air or heat you may not be able to mount it to the firewall. I also used a support ziptie on the bracket right behind the display. Very solid and does not shake.





Heres a few pictures after the test drive. I do have a few stray wires to clean up.

[steveo3318]

heres a video. this was the first start. give me a few minutes to do a full written review.

http://vid227.photobucket.com/albums...psk6xa3rva.mp4

[steveo3318]

On the command Center if you will plumb it before you take your carb off from the mechanical pump, you can actually start the truck and let the FCC fill until the carb runs out of fuel. It will not squirt out of the high pressure side as long as it does not have power. This is what I did and it will save your starter. I literally turned the key on and off twice to prime the fuel pump an TB. It started the first time I hit the starter like a brand new car. It idled up and ran perfect. I checked everything and no leaks of fuel or anything.

Here is a true testament to how much this Kit can correct!!!! I was pulling out of the driveway and figured out quick I had NO brakes. The Kit actually fired right up and corrected for the brake booster line being left off and was running fine with a huge ass vacuum leak. I put it back on and commanded the display for a relearn. Ran even better.

I truly cannot say one bad word. Every part in the kit was quality parts. I was honestly surprised at the quality for the price. The installation was very well documented and strait forward. The absolute only thing I questioned was the power plug in on the display felt a little flimsy but its so small not much else can be expected.

HOWS THE TRUCK RUN!

I have driven close to 50 miles and it getting sweeter and sweeter. Throttle response in crisp and fast. Feels like alot more low end torque and pulls harder for sure. cruising is smoother for sure. No more eye burning smells from the exhaust. the AFR's are right on target and they track very fast throughout the transition of the throttle and demand for fuel. The display has a ton of features that I did not show. Way more than anyone will ever use or understand.

All this being said I will Honestly never buy another Carb again and this is also going on my 65 mustang fastback gt when I start the restoration.

Ok I am done if anyone has any questions just ask.

[steveo3318]

One last side note. I actually ordered fitechs return spring kit. I ended up not using it. The TB has its own rerun springs and does not need any help. Trust me lol

[swampbog]

Looks good and sounds good also.
Gotta ask. Hows the cold start?

[steveo3318]

First start even with brake booster line off it ran up to 1500 Rpms and started coming down as she warmed. It was honestly like starting my wife's car. I will give you a detailed description in the morning as I am very interested in how it does also now that it's been through some learning loops

[steveo3318]

Oh the fuel pump is very very quiet. Nothing like the external on my 82 Toyota.

[Pop's C-10]

Good write up..i been looking @ this for my 82

[LostMy65]

Wow! You kick!

[LostMy65]

Did you have mpg numbers that you can now compare to the FiTech?

[steveo3318]

Yes. I will have to fill up and make a road trip though. But it should get better. The afr's will nail the 14.5 set point at cruise. I have an afr in my truck already and never got better than 13 at cruise

[Lattimer]

Thats awesome!

I'm gonna have to save my pennies.

Does it idle up when you turn on the AC or when the compressor comes on for defrost? Thats the biggest thing I don't like about my carb setup is the inability to compensate idle easily.

[Aus69c20]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

[steveo3318]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Thats awesome!

I'm gonna have to save my pennies.

Does it idle up when you turn on the AC or when the compressor comes on for defrost? Thats the biggest thing I don't like about my carb setup is the inability to compensate idle easily.

Yes it compensates nicely. Very quick. The pid loop does not care what the engine is doing its just trying to meet set points. I actually have two compressors. One sanden for the vintage air and a York 210 I converted to an on board air compressor. I also have a 220 amp power max alternator but it's always pulled in. With the carb and both compressors pulled in I would drop from 800 rpm at idle to 600. My truck didn't like this with the lumpy cam. Now with FI if both pull in I might here a slight bump but it compensates so fast you can't tell. No chugging or anything. I was also worried about this but the learning loop is so fast it doesn't have a chance to idle down. I may make a video later.

[Step-Ed]

Thanks for sharing, this is a nice setup. I want this in my stepper too.
The spacer under the tbi, is this with the kit?

[steveo3318]

Originally Posted by Step-Ed

Thanks for sharing, this is a nice setup. I want this in my stepper too.
The spacer under the tbi, is this with the kit?

No it isn't and it's not needed to run the TB. i just had it on my carb setup to prevent heat soak. I honestly like the looks of the carb a bit higher plus I didn't care to go buy new shorter studs to run without the spacer. Mine is an edelbrock pneolic spacer.

[steveo3318]

Just done a cold start and highly impressed started first turn and idled up slowly with no chugging like with my carb with the choke on. She ran right up to operating temp nailing the afr set points. The Warmer it got the more it would idle down. I couldn't be happier.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Yes it compensates nicely. Very quick. The pid loop does not care what the engine is doing its just trying to meet set points. I actually have two compressors. One sanden for the vintage air and a York 210 I converted to an on board air compressor. I also have a 220 amp power max alternator but it's always pulled in. With the carb and both compressors pulled in I would drop from 800 rpm at idle to 600. My truck didn't like this with the lumpy cam. Now with FI if both pull in I might here a slight bump but it compensates so fast you can't tell. No chugging or anything. I was also worried about this but the learning loop is so fast it doesn't have a chance to idle down. I may make a video later.

Thats good to hear. With my carb, I will drop from 750 to 500 when the AC comes on. I have a kick up solenoid, but it doesn't actually kick up, it just holds the throttle open (massive fail by Demon). So I have to hit the switch and tap the throttle. With that on it idles at 750 with the AC on, but when the compressor cycles off I'm at 1000 RPM. It drives me nuts.

Between that and the bog when the secondaries open, I really want to go with FI.


Really appreciate the write up!!!!

[steveo3318]

You will love it. I was getting the bog with secondary's with my quick fuel. It's smooth as butter all the way through now

[bowtie72]

You mentioned a two wire dist. Does it require you to make any changes to your dist? I have installed the gm tbi systems. If you let the ECM control the timing it runs even smoother. Do they sell a dist with this kit? I put a GM TBi on my 72 K-5 and it ran great fuel mileage went from 9 to 13-15 on 35" tires. Ran great. I like these systems but still not sure about that tank up front. I should find their site and look around.

[steveo3318]

Originally Posted by bowtie72

You mentioned a two wire dist. Does it require you to make any changes to your dist? I have installed the gm tbi systems. If you let the ECM control the timing it runs even smoother. Do they sell a dist with this kit? I put a GM TBi on my 72 K-5 and it ran great fuel mileage went from 9 to 13-15 on 35" tires. Ran great. I like these systems but still not sure about that tank up front. I should find their site and look around.

Their kit requires absolutely no changes to distributor at all. You just can't control timing if you have a Msd ready to run or gm hei. I have an hei. I will be getting an Msd pro billet 2 wire soon to let the fitech run my timing.

[LostMy65]

I've been looking at the msd 85551.
Which one you thinking?

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by bowtie72

I like these systems but still not sure about that tank up front. I should find their site and look around.

.
I'm thinking about installing mine on the passenger side inner fender back by the heater.
Edelbrock also has a sump tank unit that many mount up front on the radiator support. Go to YouTube and watch install videos of the Holley Terminator, MSD Atomic, EZ-Fast, and the Edelbrock E-Street. Many Pump/Tank install options with or without the SumpKit/FCC.