[RocktimusPryme]

Sometimes with some of this stuff I feel its like asking the dude who works at the "Lost Baggage" counter at the airport, "Hey, how often does luggage get lost?" and he responds, "Every day."

Its not that the information is incorrect, its just that its skewed. People who work in the business of fixing automotive issues, shockingly, hear about the problems. I work in process improvement myself, so I sympathize. I really only ever hear about my company's problems. If it runs like a Swiss watch, nobody tells me about it.

I also have noted that the classic car hobby is strangely cyclical in going from hating to defending things. The Ford Duraspark is my favorite example. It had an awful reputation, Never-Spark etc. But years later go on any Ford forum and people will tell anyone who will listen to, "Just put a Duraspark on it" I don't say that to bash Ford ignitions, but to make the point that peoples memories are short. Everyone will line up to talk about how a Holley TBI, or MSD box stranded someone, as if a carburetor has never ran bad ever or factory type electronic ignition has never ever required a tow truck.


I have a car with a Qjet, a car with a Terminator X, and a car with a big Holley. So Im not biased here or trying to sell anyone on anything. But with this stuff I try to be objective. So just some things to consider.

1. You cant throw a Sniper on a worn out engine with vacuum and exhaust leaks. It will run bad. I really think this is where most people go wrong.
2. If you arent going to use extra features (especially spark control) that the FI systems offers, I really don't think the juice is worth the squeeze. Because they do have more fail points. At a certain point the math wont add up. Just have a nice carb built for your engine and save some money and fuel system hassle.
3. It is an electronic system, its easier to hurt (don't use a 200A jump Box) and its more prone to intermittent issues than a mechanical system would be. Those can be a nightmare to diagnose, I have one in my Terminator that drives me nuts.
4. On the plus side, Its really cool to be able to print your data logs, and fuel maps and have quality experts all over the country help you. Chances are you don't live next door to Cliff or Steve Brule to help you with your carb on short notice.
5. You are going to have a way better idea of how well your car actually runs. I honestly believe that most people's carbs and distributors are not nearly as tip-top as their owner thinks.
6. I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the stranded part. Could it happen, of course. But so could a deer impact. Or a flat tire (How many classic cars have a spare tire?)

[Formulajones]

A lot of good points in here.
You can either worry yourself to death or just roll with it. With most everyone converting to electronic ignition over the past 40+ years I don't view electronic carbs any different. If people want it they are going to do it.

Like mentioned, failures are always reported on the internet, those that have success you never hear about. So I tend to think the fail rate vs success rate is a bit lopsided.

Myself I have had 2 snipers in service for 4-5 years each now and not a single problem with either. The rest of the cars are still carbureted and I don't mind that at all. Honestly I'm more of a keep it simple guy that dabbles in the scary electronic world once in a while

On a more serious note I've been around this stuff working on it for years and like mentioned already most of the issues Ive seen were self inflicted. Usually the engine has its own set of issues to start with and the owner thinks an electronic throttle body is the cure, or the wiring install is sketchy or the person lacks the knowledge to properly set one up and tune it, nasty fuel systems with 60 year old tanks and lines etc...
An actual parts failure? Yeah that happens, but not as frequent as the other things I mentioned.
Pick your brand and dive in.

[Formulajones]

I'll add this. We go to big meets and shows frequently. And travel long distances to many of them.
I used to always see 100's of cars throughout the year with those awful Eddy carbs on them.
Over the last few years I've seen the switch. Now every other car you see has some sort of EFI throttle body on it. They are literally everywhere. Different brands but no joke, every other car in line has one now.
Even at a big meet like good guys where we'll have 3000 cars coming and going all weekend, literally half of them you look at are throttle body efi. The rest are a mixed bag of multi port EFI or full blown modern engine swaps born with EFI. The amount with classic engines and carbs has dwindled to a very small percentage.
Now that's not a trend I'm thrilled about but gives you an idea the amount that's out there enjoying their rides.