So while I had not planned to do anything major in a physical sense this winter, I have been doing a lot of reading and research on both body/metal work as well as continuing the dumping of data into my brain in terms of engine building and where to go in the next few years.
I’m still focused on the 2276cc build as the final engine to go into my completed Żuczek restoration, however I’m fairly certain I’m no longer going to be considering dual carbs and will be focusing on a relatively modern fuel injection system.
Let’s face it, if I somehow manage to complete this project, I’ll be in my late-to-mid 50s by then and I do not want to constantly be tweaking with carbs and jetting. I want consist and efficient fuel delivery and throttle response as I’m driving across the state on long haul visits or even just around town during the summer months.
While I’m years ahead from this engine execution, I’m definitely leaning towards a CB Performance Gen4EFI kit with direct port injection and some kind of center twist throttle linkage that I prefer.
My main objective of an rear stock exterior looking decklid and apron makes consideration of some turbo elements iffy, given how so much of the turbo plumbing on a Type 1 engine looks so horribly awful to me. And let’s face it, I’m looking for consistent efficient power and reliability most of all, not immediate street performance.
Now I’m still looking into such things as the FiTech EFI system from LowBugget, and while I’ve read that it is a solid functional modern EFI system, I’m not a fan of that huge throttle body injection in the location where a traditional stock carb and manifold would sit. It is less expensive than the CB option though, and ultimately, I believe both companies can be relied upon for solid support while installing and maintaining the system.
The closest local place that offers FiTech equipment would be Dune Buggy Warehouse down in Hamilton, OH. However, if I’ve read their offerings correctly, most of their systems are designed for open engine dune buggies and they indicate that some of the kids won’t fit under a stock decklid so that rules out those specific kits.
I suspect I’ll end up spending the money on the more expensive Gen4EFI kit as it ticks off more boxes on my checklist of requirements. My son also reviewed their material and while he’s somewhat destructive with his own vehicles, he is a trained modern auto technician/mechanic and has quite a bit of tuning experience with ECMs and EFI systems now.
CB Performance’s YouTube page also offers quite a bit of explanatory vids on the system.
They physical aspects of their kit seem easy enough, with their throttle bodies having a very similar appearance to IDA/IDF carbs, though the stock linkage is something I’d prefer to avoid.
There’s potential for their Touch Screen display, but I’m already planning something similar built-in to the dash where the ratio/ash tray would be so I’m not sure how this could be smoothly integrated.
The software, and understanding tuning, is all new to me and is where my son’s experience will come into play.
Whatever direction I go in, the one key thing I will be doing regardless of what happens with the first engine going in, will be to ensure that the fuel tank allows for a return fuel line and that the fuel line plumbing (in the tunnel or elsewhere) is modern and ready to go when and EFI system is put on whatever engine is the final one.