[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

The cost of carbs isn't an issue as far as I'm concerned. I have a large stash of Holley and q-jets so not a big deal. Plus the car in question I kept the Holley HP because I had an inkling that someday that EFI might come back off. So it'll be a simple and painless deal if that day comes.

Yeah, that works if you've got stock in a bunch of old rebuildable quality carbs.

If you're a guy just getting into the hobby that has purchased a project, you're probably not in the same situation.

If you need basically everything for some kind of fuel delivery, that changes the equation quite a bit. There's always the second hand market of course, but that still works in both directions.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by JLMounce

Yeah, that works if you've got stock in a bunch of old rebuildable quality carbs.

If you're a guy just getting into the hobby that has purchased a project, you're probably not in the same situation.

If you need basically everything for some kind of fuel delivery, that changes the equation quite a bit. There's always the second hand market of course, but that still works in both directions.

Yeah, but there were other things I considered when building the drivetrain for this car. Honestly, EFI with a computer that would control the trans (I'm running a 4L60E in it) would be ideal, but there are 2 reasons I decided for now to not go the EFI route.
One, No one makes an EFI drop in tank for this particular car and I'd really rather have one. I'd either have to go custom tank (not interested for this car) Or a self contained drop in fuel pump. I'm not a super huge fan of the drop in self contained pump units in a stock tank, so I just decided not to go EFI. Maybe at some point in the future as these cars keep getting more popular a tank option will come along and I can rethink it.
Two, the trans control features in the holley leave a little to be desired. It'll work but it's kind of a turn off for me. However I'd live with it if the fuel tank issue changes my mind. Then there's a chance I'd do a Sniper with Terminator Xmax running it.

For now, I'm using a Quick 4 controller for the trans but keeping the engine and fuel management very simple.

I know cost can be a concern. Boy has that gotten out of control lately. The holley Sniper Stealth Terminator X-max is listed at $2350. I don't know, that sure makes a carb look pretty good LOL Carbs may have gotten expensive but not that expensive. Even if I went out and bought a new carb, add that to the Quick 4 to run the trans and I'm still $1000 under EFI, and I haven't even added the cost of the fuel system needed for the EFI so the difference is even greater.

Because of that wide gap I don't see carbs going away anytime soon. But like I've said before, the way they market these EFI's they really make it sound cheap to get into and entice the buyers, but I've found that's not really the case once you really dig in. I'd have another $1000 in a fuel system to finish it off. So I'm looking at a $3500 upgrade to go EFI. Would I still do it? Yeah sure, but a good EFI tank would have to be available first. I think Tanks Inc will eventually come around.

[HWYSTR455]

Rock Valley makes great tanks, I've purchased from them before, and they are more affordable than just about all the others out there. I have personally used them for 2 tanks.

The one I had done for the LeMans was a 26.5 gallon tank, and that extra 1/4 tank of gas makes a big difference, especially on long trips.

https://rockvalleytanks.com/

Of course it's more than a Tanks Inc tank, and it doesn't look OE, but considering what you get it is well worth it.

You can get the Quick 4 on sale now and then for around $100 off, but that would still be $695 with that $100 of. Event their' entry level controller is $650, so with a sale, it makes the Quick 4 a no-brainer. And they are very good controllers.

That gap between a Terminator X Max then makes more sense, and they have improved the trans control.

Regardless of what people say, the 'tank conversion' offerings as not very good. No way will they ever match a properly baffled tank. Sure, they 'work', but have drawbacks that make buying even a custom tank not too painful decision.


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[Formulajones]

Thanks for the tip, I sent Rock Valley a message to see if they can do one for me, preferably extra capacity if possible. See what they say. I actually wouldn't mind upgrading the fuel system first, even with the carb, as I usually do with most cars, and just run it that way for a while. Then I can decide to switch to EFI at some point later when it's convenient and have a fuel system ready to accept.

At that point I can always give my trans controller to my son since he is doing a 4L60E in his car at some point in the near future. So it's not like I'm out anything either way, I can move stuff from one car to another and find a use for it.

[Formulajones]

Speaking of extra capacity, when I did the LS swap in my 72 blazer eons ago I had a place in Washington make a custom tank for it that bolted in the stock location. 40 gallons.

I loved that tank, it was fantastic for the long road trips. In my opinion the larger the tank the better. Frustrating to have a car with 11 gallon tanks, or even 17 gallon tanks like many F-bodies.

[HWYSTR455]

Rock Valley will actually take your plans and build to order. They used to have a blank worksheet for you to provide dimensions and shape. They will do whatever you want, much nicer that just having to settle with mass produced parts.

They have an FB page too:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557935611790

If you call, they will answer, and their' support is great. They've been around a long time.


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[HWYSTR455]

I sold both my tanks here, and posted many times info/pics about the tanks, can search it.


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[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Rock Valley will actually take your plans and build to order. They used to have a blank worksheet for you to provide dimensions and shape. They will do whatever you want, much nicer that just having to settle with mass produced parts.

They have an FB page too:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557935611790

If you call, they will answer, and their' support is great. They've been around a long time.


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Yeah I just figured they won't answer on a Sunday so I sent a message. Probably talk with them this week