To EFI or not to EFI: that is the Q
#1
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Hey fellas,
I have a '94 3.6 Turbo with 85k miles. It is in awesome condition but is not a garage queen. I purchased the car 2 years ago from Dan Jacobs (Hairy Dog Grrrage/Weissach Autohaus) with 79k miles---Dan performed a top end rebuild prior to my purchase. I absolutely love this car!!!
Anyway, I have been thinking of going the EFI route---could be a great winter project for my mechanic. So my questions are these:
1. How much different of a car will it be with the EFI?
2. While we are "in there" what all should I replace?
3. Will this "upgrade" potentially hurt resale value if/when that occurs?
4. Are all EFI systems the same, or is one brand better than another?
5. What type of hp/tq will I be looking at?
6. The car is basically stock, except for minor suspension tweeks. Do I need to replace/modify suspension/brakes/etc?
7. To do the job "right" what am I looking at from a $$$ standpoint (ballpark figures as I know this will vary some depending on local wrench)?
Thanks for all your valuable insight!!!
Mike
I have a '94 3.6 Turbo with 85k miles. It is in awesome condition but is not a garage queen. I purchased the car 2 years ago from Dan Jacobs (Hairy Dog Grrrage/Weissach Autohaus) with 79k miles---Dan performed a top end rebuild prior to my purchase. I absolutely love this car!!!
Anyway, I have been thinking of going the EFI route---could be a great winter project for my mechanic. So my questions are these:
1. How much different of a car will it be with the EFI?
2. While we are "in there" what all should I replace?
3. Will this "upgrade" potentially hurt resale value if/when that occurs?
4. Are all EFI systems the same, or is one brand better than another?
5. What type of hp/tq will I be looking at?
6. The car is basically stock, except for minor suspension tweeks. Do I need to replace/modify suspension/brakes/etc?
7. To do the job "right" what am I looking at from a $$$ standpoint (ballpark figures as I know this will vary some depending on local wrench)?
Thanks for all your valuable insight!!!
Mike
#2
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1. Very
2. Do a full engine rebuild
3. It will destroy the rareness of the 3.6, so drastically
4. Get Motec or don't do it
5. 400ish, but its more about area under the curve
6. Yes
7. $30k
2. Do a full engine rebuild
3. It will destroy the rareness of the 3.6, so drastically
4. Get Motec or don't do it
5. 400ish, but its more about area under the curve
6. Yes
7. $30k
#3
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Just a matter of when, not if for me.
I am planning to do the digiWUR and Zeitronix to get my feet wet playing with a programmable system. Maybe if it works well, I will just leave it like that.
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Hello Mike,
From my experience:
1: Night and Day different!!!
2: Clutch, light weight fly wheel, exhaust header, inspect diferential, axles, detail engine bay, valve covers, custom cylinder head work, twin plugs, larger cams, engine insulation?
3: Depend on what the potential buyer wants.
4: Pick the ECU that your trusted mechanic recommend. ( I used AEM because of availability, reliable, user friendly, largest forum).
5: 500+ rwhp/tq
6: PSS9 or similar w front/rear camber plates.
7: 30+K
Pros= Extremely Fast . Thrill. Excitement
Cons= Long wait. May hurt resale value.
My suggestion is do your own research before you pull the trigger!!
Keep old CIS parts, in case to return to stock. Ask your tuner a fuel map for emission purpose.
See more detail of my car at turbokraft.com under Yung's
Good luck.
From my experience:
1: Night and Day different!!!
2: Clutch, light weight fly wheel, exhaust header, inspect diferential, axles, detail engine bay, valve covers, custom cylinder head work, twin plugs, larger cams, engine insulation?
3: Depend on what the potential buyer wants.
4: Pick the ECU that your trusted mechanic recommend. ( I used AEM because of availability, reliable, user friendly, largest forum).
5: 500+ rwhp/tq
6: PSS9 or similar w front/rear camber plates.
7: 30+K
Pros= Extremely Fast . Thrill. Excitement
Cons= Long wait. May hurt resale value.
My suggestion is do your own research before you pull the trigger!!
Keep old CIS parts, in case to return to stock. Ask your tuner a fuel map for emission purpose.
See more detail of my car at turbokraft.com under Yung's
Good luck.
#6
Nordschleife Master
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The EFI conversion itself is not $30k, but all of the "while you are in there" pieces may add up.
To simply convert your car to EFI is about 8-10k using MoTeC. Last week I completed a conversion that took 3 days to do the MoTeC piece. The MoTeC installation, tuning, wire harness build (race quality wire harness), and sensors was $7440. It did already have the injector blocks, and injectors with fuel system modification which might be 2-3k depending on what you use.
To add significant power, you'll need a new intercooler and turbo at a minimum and it goes downhill quickly from there. 350-400whp is about all the stock setup with bolt ons (headers, boost spring, turbo, etc.) will support.
To simply convert your car to EFI is about 8-10k using MoTeC. Last week I completed a conversion that took 3 days to do the MoTeC piece. The MoTeC installation, tuning, wire harness build (race quality wire harness), and sensors was $7440. It did already have the injector blocks, and injectors with fuel system modification which might be 2-3k depending on what you use.
To add significant power, you'll need a new intercooler and turbo at a minimum and it goes downhill quickly from there. 350-400whp is about all the stock setup with bolt ons (headers, boost spring, turbo, etc.) will support.
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I would go with a system for which I could find a good base map for our cars. I'd like to do as much of it as possible myself. Do any EFI companies provide maps or is something tuners usually come up with and keep for their customers?
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I would strongly recommend Geoffrey Ring who happens to be in your neck of the woods, he is a Motec dealer and is regarded as meticulously **** by many in the EFI business, that is a compliment and a nod to Geoffrey's thoroughness. Based on the miles of your car you will only gain desirability and resale $$$ for the EFI conversion, there is no way any one is looking for originality from a high miler. Geoffrey is right about the actual set up not being the bulk of the cost but the while you are in there stuff that can creep up on you. I can say that you are starting with a great platform, the higher displacement and the fact that you have a later suspension, G50/52 trans, real ac, great wheels, awesome brakes and ABS, I say add some Recaros, a roll cage, EFI and enjoy. I would like to add that a nice garrett turbo, Pauter/ Carillo rods, porting the heads for better flow, some headers and an intercooler won't hurt either... see what I mean
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#10
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I know Geoffrey will pimp the MoTeC, but you should also consider the Autronic system- the support isn't as good as MoTeC, but the system is about half the cost and is quite robust. Just a thought.
#11
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...but the system is about half the cost
#12
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At the time I bought my SM4- the comparable MoTeC system (not just ECU) was double the cost.