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Fast XFI Fuel Injection System - Fast EFISteppin' Up To Fuel Injection For Improved Driveability And MPG From the December, 2008 issue of Street Rodder By Jim Rizzo
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Electronic fuel injection (EFI) really has been a great innovation. For well over 20 years, OEM offerings have benefited from the improved fuel mileage, throttle response, and all-around driveability offered by injection. And since its inception, a good-sized cadre of technologically challenged street rodders (myself in particular) have been wary of its complexity (while lots of others have embraced it). Yes, fuel injection is more complex and expensive than natural aspiration, but EFI provides lots of benefits over the rather antiquated controlled fuel leak mechanism called the carburetor-and we old-school rodders should really consider becoming more receptive to it. Heck, like the iPod, the PC, and email, it's a technology folks like us are going to have to embrace eventually, whether we're intimidated by it or not. That said, I recently had the opportunity to hang out with the professionals at Westech Performance Group one afternoon and observe while they converted (on one of their engine dynos) a 392-cube small-block Ford from carburetion to electronic fuel injection. I have to say, these guys have forgotten more about performance engine building than I'll ever know, and they were happy to try and show me just how quickly and easily they were able to perform the upgrade using one of the best ready-to-run EFI systems there is-the turn-key FAST XFI Fuel Injection Kit. The kit Westech chose was the FAST #3035351-05 which includes the XFI Fuel Injection ECU, an aluminum intake manifold, a throttle body, a fuel injector set, fuel rails, a fuel pump kit, a Dual-Sync Distributor, all needed sensors and wiring harnesses, an installation & tuning DVD, and C-Com XFI software for your laptop. The #3035351-05 is specifically designed to support the Windsor up to 550hp and really is a turn-key kit. (note: For those that are other than Ford fans, FAST offers a wide array of XFI systems for both small and big-block Chevrolets and Chrysler products, as well.) While I was there, I was able to fire off a few images of the conversion process, and here I'll do my best to convey the little bit of the education I was able, as an EFI novice, to absorb. One thing I can say with certainty is that the crew at Westech loves the FAST XFI system-and if there's anybody out there that knows quality performance products, it's those guys. So, take a look at the following and then check out FAST's Website for an in-depth look at what's available for your street rod-you'll be glad you did.  The FAST Ready-To-Run XFI...  The FAST Ready-To-Run XFI Fuel Injection System includes everything needed to convert most popular engines to EFI. The best thing about these conversions (in my eyes, anyway) is the fact that they contain truly carefully-matched components, starting with a user-friendly fuel injection control unit-the FAST XFI ECU, a Dual-Sync Distributor, a single plane aluminum intake manifold, their Big Mouth four-barrel throttle body, a set of Precision-Flow fuel injectors, aluminum fuel rails, a fuel pump kit, all the necessary sensors and wiring harnesses (with labeled connectors), and easy to use C-Com XFI software for your laptop. As an added bonus, FAST has gone the extra mile to ease installation and tuning difficulty by including an easy to understand two-hour XFI Installation & Tuning DVD, as well.  The starting point for the...  The starting point for the conversion was the carbureted small-block Ford shown here. It was a pretty stout stroker motor, but not an ideal setup driveability and fuel mileage-wise. The FAST XFI conversion was determined to be the key to achieving better street manners and much-improved fuel consumption while still being able to make use of its high-performance potential.  The guys at Westech made quick...  The guys at Westech made quick work of stripping the carb, intake, and ignition system from the Windsor in preparation for the EFI conversion.  Within a matter of minutes...  Within a matter of minutes the guys had the new single-plane aluminum intake, fuel injectors, and fuel rails in place.  With the aforementioned components...  With the aforementioned components installed the next step was bolting up the FAST 4150-style four-barrel throttle body (shown here with the included throttle positioning and idle air control sensors).  The fuel supply and return...  The fuel supply and return lines were up next, and at the risk of being redundant, these too are included in the FAST XFI kit.  The MAP (manifold absolute...  The MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor is attached to the throttle body via a length of vacuum hose and will be connected to the clearly labeled harness a bit further into the install.  Before dropping in the distributor,...  Before dropping in the distributor, the engine was brought up to TDC in preparation. The XFI Dual Sync distributor allows you two ignition strategies, either a 1-degree reference angle (the simplest method and one that allows you to phase the distributor at TDC), or a 50-degree reference angle (which will support individual cylinder control).  While the engine was being...  While the engine was being readied for the distributor installation the harness was unboxed and readied, as well. Designed as a standalone electronic fuel injection system, the XFI EFI system uses a fully user-programmable engine control unit (ECU) and clearly labeled wiring harness that are surprisingly easy to install (thanks to clearly marked connectors and easily understandable instructions).  After determining which distributor...  After determining which distributor gear was appropriate for the existing camshaft (both composite and/or bronze versions are available from COMP Cams) the drive gear was lubed and the distributor slid into place. Meanwhile the ECU was hung in an easily accessible location (since the conversion was being performed on an engine dyno versus the engine bay of an automobile).  Within minutes the actual...  Within minutes the actual bolt-on portion of the install was complete, and the guys began the final electrical and dyno hookups needed before they could fire this baby up.  The Dual Sync distributor...  The Dual Sync distributor has a pair of LEDs at the base of the module-the cam LED illuminates once per revolution, and the crank LED eight times per revolution. The included instructions guide you easily through either 1-degree reference or 50-degree reference angles.  With the system installed...  With the system installed (within a matter of an hour or so), the final dyno hookups were made and the guys were ready to fire the engine up and make a few final adjustments.  An EFI Education And Simple...  An EFI Education And Simple Software The new FAST Fuel Injection Installation & Tuning DVD is an easy-to-follow, professionally animated production which actively demonstrates the proper step-by-step installation and use of the FAST XFI Fuel Injection System. With almost two hours of information, great care was taken to present the information in an easy to navigate and entertaining format. Covering everything from EFI theory to installation tools to live dyno tuning sessions, this DVD will "Take the Fear and Intimidation Out of EFI," and is perfect for first time tuners and professionals alike.  FAST, the technological leader...  FAST, the technological leader in EFI performance, offers a four-color, 36-page catalog. Filled with detailed information about their advanced line-up of high performance EFI-based components, the new catalog showcases not only the complete product line, but through detailed and clear text explains each product's usage and its benefits. The catalog features everything from the XFI Electronic Fuel Injection System and LSX Intake Manifold to Perfect Circuit Wiring Harnesses and Dual Sensor Air/Fuel Meters to the FAST-FLASH Power Programmers, it's all there. Perhaps more importantly than the clearly explained FAST product lineup is the fact that the catalog includes special sections directed toward educating the consumer about all aspects of electronic engine management. The logically written Frequently Asked Questions section explains a number of the most common questions posed by users of electronically-controlled engine systems, and the Glossary of Terms helps them understand the basics and beyond. To receive your copy of the new FAST catalog, call the EFI HELP tech line at 1-877-334-8355 or download an electronic copy online at www.fuelairspark.com, it's a great way for the uninitiated to get a handle on EFI technology.   The XFI system allows you...  The XFI system allows you to easily fine-tune using C-Com, its easy-to-navigate software. C-Com software is completely configurable and allows you to tune your engine for ultimate performance without having to work around preset factory parameters. The FAST XFI fuel injection system is cutting-edge EFI technology, yet C-Com XFI software allows even novice users to easily navigate and tune for ultimate performance. Best of all, the software not only has easy-to-use basic features but has expanded 'em to include many advanced features only found in very expensive, high-end systems.  As you can see here, the newly...  As you can see here, the newly injected SBF pulled some impressive numbers, well over 400hp and well north of 400 lb-ft of torque. All in all the EFI conversion seemed like a pretty straight forward upgrade, even for someone such as myself who's pretty technologically challenged. As I said earlier, to get a much clearer and more informative look at FAST's XFI electronic fuel injection system check out the FAST Website-meanwhile, I'm gonna sit down with the company's new DVD, Taking the Mystery and Intimidation Out of EFI, and mull over the idea of switching over my 351 Windsor to FAST XFI fuel injection myself!
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