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

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

Steveo, thanks for the write up. FiTech should pay you some money, im sure i am not the only one that has bought their system until reading this. lol I just bought the 600hp power adder with FCC. i excited to get it and install it, I have a question that i am not completely understanding. You mention that you had to run a vent line back to the tank? I have an aftermarket tank under the bed. I obviously have a carb now and am converting to this new FiTech EFI, but im concerned with what or why you needed to run a vent line. Any help on this is greatly appreciated.

You do have to run a return line if you run the command center. If the float sticks in the command center it will overflow fuel from the cc tank and out the vent (to wherever you have that going). If you have it going to the ground instead of back to the tank, on a long enough drive you could theoretically pump your entire fuel tank out on the street (and that is if it doesn't catch on fire under the hood).

That pissed me off immensely when I did mine because of how they advertise it as a "returnless" system.

[GR8-68]

Awesome information here guys, thank you. I have been thinking of going to efi just was not sure of which system was best to use, I was actually leaning towards the holley system but you all may have just convinced me it would be best to go to fi tech.

John, are you using yours on the ls swap ?

[GR8-68]

I was thinking of this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BXH3RVM...=IWCXJWHYPJRXY

Along with this

https://www.amazon.com/Holley-825011...R03QF12SZCDTC1

Or would I be better with this ? I see the FCC is sold separate from the kit, so do you have to run the FCC ? What is pro's and con's of running and not running it ?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B1FYSV4?psc=1

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by GR8-68

I was thinking of this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BXH3RVM...=IWCXJWHYPJRXY

Along with this

https://www.amazon.com/Holley-825011...R03QF12SZCDTC1

Or would I be better with this ? I see the FCC is sold separate from the kit, so do you have to run the FCC ? What is pro's and con's of running and not running it ?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B1FYSV4?psc=1

I don't know anything about the Holley stuff (except its considerably more expensive, or at least was).

The FCC lets you run the EFI with your factory mechanical fuel pump. Its an easy way to run EFI without messing with your existing fuel system much. If you already have an EFI fuel pump (I think it needs around 50 psi IIRC), then you don't need it. I was still using my in-cab tank so used the command center.

It would better and less expensive to not use it if you don't have to. Much cleaner installation as well.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by GR8-68

John, are you using yours on the ls swap ?

I am not. I am going to keep the factory EFI and controls. They work really well.

One nice thing about the FiTech setup was how clean it could look. This is how my engine looked when I was running it (I spent a lot of time sanitizing it).



Nobody knew it was EFI unless they saw the command center in the corner (can't really hide it under the hood) and started asking questions.

My FiTech used to struggle a bit on mine but I think that was mostly due to the rumpity-rump cam. It used to idle inconsistently - sometimes high, sometimes low. It would probably "self-tune" a lot better on a milder build. Overall though, the truck ran worlds better with it. The throttle response alone felt like it added another 100 hp- it was that big a difference.

[AnotherWs6]

Originally Posted by NC_John

You do have to run a return line if you run the command center. If the float sticks in the command center it will overflow fuel from the cc tank and out the vent (to wherever you have that going). If you have it going to the ground instead of back to the tank, on a long enough drive you could theoretically pump your entire fuel tank out on the street (and that is if it doesn't catch on fire under the hood).

That pissed me off immensely when I did mine because of how they advertise it as a "returnless" system.

This. I get the need for it now thinking about it, but it really does a lot to defeat the "simpleness" of the FCC and system in general.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

This. I get the need for it now thinking about it, but it really does a lot to defeat the "simpleness" of the FCC and system in general.

Thats what turned me off the FCC and somewhat soured me on FiTech when I started researching. I want to keep the in cab tank, and with my 1970 I don't have a return or a vent on the tank, its vented through the cap.

When I discussed with Fi Tech they were less than helpful and downright rude at one point, telling me I should just "get the bomb out of the cab anyways".

From my conversations with them the vent back to the tank needs to be above the fuel level. When my tank is full, even a later factory return style sender has the return below the fuel level. To do it the way they want it done, the only good way is to swap in a later EEC tank, which defeats the purpose of an easy install all over again.

So thus far I have done nothing.

[steveo3318]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Thats what turned me off the FCC and somewhat soured me on FiTech when I started researching. I want to keep the in cab tank, and with my 1970 I don't have a return or a vent on the tank, its vented through the cap.

When I discussed with Fi Tech they were less than helpful and downright rude at one point, telling me I should just "get the bomb out of the cab anyways".

From my conversations with them the vent back to the tank needs to be above the fuel level. When my tank is full, even a later factory return style sender has the return below the fuel level. To do it the way they want it done, the only good way is to swap in a later EEC tank, which defeats the purpose of an easy install all over again.

So thus far I have done nothing.

I have the EEC 72 tank in my 72 which was only vented one way. But it does have the return up high on the passenger side. This is where I ran my return from my FCC. I did end up venting my tank right above the filler neck. Works like a charm.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

I have the EEC 72 tank in my 72 which was only vented one way. But it does have the return up high on the passenger side. This is where I ran my return from my FCC. I did end up venting my tank right above the filler neck. Works like a charm.

Yeah, I can't do that with my tank. No port on the filler neck and no way to install one without welding, and I'm not welding on a tank that has fuel residue in it.

And the tank is only a couple of years old, so I'm not real interested in replacing it.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by NC_John

You do have to run a return line if you run the command center. If the float sticks in the command center it will overflow fuel from the cc tank and out the vent (to wherever you have that going). If you have it going to the ground instead of back to the tank, on a long enough drive you could theoretically pump your entire fuel tank out on the street (and that is if it doesn't catch on fire under the hood).

That pissed me off immensely when I did mine because of how they advertise it as a "returnless" system.

Damn, that is why i was asking, it says "returnless" so .... oh well. Thanks for the clarification.