Affordable fuel injection intriguing

[matt167]

I just ran across Affordable fuel injection for marine engines. I’ve known Affordable fuel injection existed but never paid attention. Shows about $1,500 for a complete kit, which doesn’t use an O2 sensor and a video from 6 years ago suggests they use Mercury marine ECUs with custom software. They actually list one for a 3.0L. I’m not sold on it but it’s actually something to think about.

 

[Scott Danforth]

mercury used GM ECU's same as the GM crate motors of the 90's and 00's

 

[matt167]

mercury used GM ECU's same as the GM crate motors of the 90's and 00's

I thought the picture looked like a GM ECU. That could be one up for reliability

 

[Scott06]

I just ran across Affordable fuel injection for marine engines. I’ve known Affordable fuel injection existed but never paid attention. Shows about $1,500 for a complete kit, which doesn’t use an O2 sensor and a video from 6 years ago suggests they use Mercury marine ECUs with custom software. They actually list one for a 3.0L. I’m not sold on it but it’s actually something to think about.

Id look closely before laying down the cash. On the hit rod forums you see a lot of quality issues in terms of component of reliability on these systems be it sniper , fitech, etc. not sure if any of the aftermarket system are OEM fuel injection quality like you see in automotive OEM systems, which is the only reason to ditch a carb…

 

[matt167]

I think Affordable uses genuine GM TBI throttle bodies and GM sensors.

I wouldn’t hand my cash over without at least a few calls/ emails. I looked a little bit into the Sniper EFI but it always comes down to something isn’t quite right, or there’s a weird surge with the shift interruption or the O2 sensors reading incorrectly and not learning a good tune.

I’m not 100% sold on EFI but I do like my little boats DF25A. Wait for the beep and turn the key

 

[matt167]

I got an answer back from them. They install an automotive module in the Delco EST distributor, which is actually for TBI trucks. Makes it so the ECU can control timing. He said the shift interruption will still work and he said that installed correctly it will pass a USCG inspection. He didn’t specifically say if the TBI was coast guard approved, but I think it is. All in all I think it’s probably a good kit, being that it uses all OEM GM/ Mercury marine components.

I just have to decide if instant start without waiting for a choke is worth it. My engine now has a Chinese carb on it and while it works, the accelerator pump seems to not work and it’s got a stumble. I didn’t toy with it much since I smoked the impeller when I got it running. So it’s either EFI or get a professional rebuild on my original carburetor.

 

[dingbat]

All in all I think it’s probably a good kit, being that it uses all OEM GM/ Mercury marine components.

Neither GM or Mercury make embedded processor modules (ECM)

My main concern would be long term support for the ECM

 

[Scott06]

Neither GM or Mercury make embedded processor modules (ECM)

My main concern would be long term support for the ECM

Find the GM part number for the TBI module and get a used one off ebay.

That's what I did with my TBV module put a saved search in and when I saw one for $180 I bought a spare

 

[alldodge]

he said that installed correctly it will pass a USCG inspection.

Flag on the play

This means it's not USCG certified, only that if inspected it should pass because there is nothing obvious

Look into Holley, they are CG cert

 

[matt167]

Flag on the play

This means it's not USCG certified, only that if inspected it should pass because there is nothing obvious

Look into Holley, they are CG cert

This is kind of my thinking. I know that they use rebuilt OEM GM TBI throttle bodies, so it would come down to IF GM/ Rochester actually ever certified the TBI model they use for coast guard compliance, but I knew he was doing a marketing ‘dance around the question ‘

As for the Holley, that was my first thought but when you read reviews for marine installs, the wedge plate for the O2 sensor sometimes causes funny readings, mercruiser shift interrupters sometimes cause a weird stumble and a few other things. That was the appeal to Affordable since it didn’t use an O2 sensor and also the ECU can control the timing. There is no distributor that will work with the Holley to control timing in a marine environment since it needs the module bypassed leaving a hole

 

[matt167]

Find the GM part number for the TBI module and get a used one off ebay.

That's what I did with my TBV module put a saved search in and when I saw one for $180 I bought a spare

The TBI modules are like $50 at a parts store

 

[Scott06]

The TBI modules are like $50 at a parts store

Even better if ther are oem quality

 

[alldodge]

As for the Holley, that was my first thought but when you read reviews for marine installs, the wedge plate for the O2 sensor sometimes causes funny readings, mercruiser shift interrupters sometimes cause a weird stumble and a few other things. That was the appeal to Affordable since it didn’t use an O2 sensor and also the ECU can control the timing. There is no distributor that will work with the Holley to control timing in a marine environment since it needs the module bypassed leaving a hole

Not so sure along those lines, been a few building big motors on OSO that have had good luck with Holley Sniper

EDIT: Wait, holley doesn't make the ignition. You use what ever ignition you want and build the fuel tables to match what is needed

 

[Scott Danforth]

Holley and MSD are now under the same umbrella

 

[alldodge]

MSD - My Spark Disappeared

 

[Scott06]

This is kind of my thinking. I know that they use rebuilt OEM GM TBI throttle bodies, so it would come down to IF GM/ Rochester actually ever certified the TBI model they use for coast guard compliance, but I knew he was doing a marketing ‘dance around the question ‘

As for the Holley, that was my first thought but when you read reviews for marine installs, the wedge plate for the O2 sensor sometimes causes funny readings, mercruiser shift interrupters sometimes cause a weird stumble and a few other things. That was the appeal to Affordable since it didn’t use an O2 sensor and also the ECU can control the timing. There is no distributor that will work with the Holley to control timing in a marine environment since it needs the module bypassed leaving a hole

Wonder if mercruiser used the same TBI for their EFI engines ? If so then they would be marine approved

 

[matt167]

Not so sure along those lines, been a few building big motors on OSO that have had good luck with Holley Sniper

EDIT: Wait, holley doesn't make the ignition. You use what ever ignition you want and build the fuel tables to match what is needed

Holley sells distributors made for the Sniper that are adjustable and can be phased for the sniper so that the sniper can control the timing.. I have a 3.0L so no such distributor available. The Delco EST will do the trick if it’s tinkered with and the module bypassed. It is basically a TBI distributor, so the information is out there. Just not sure what I would plug the hole for the module with, since that’s a big. Issue on a boat

The sniper will run fuel only with even a points distributor so I do always have that option

 

[matt167]

Wonder if mercruiser used the same TBI for their EFI engines ? If so then they would be marine approved

Pictures of them online show Rochester products but some of them also have a Mercruiser emblem cast into the base. Since fundamentally they are identical, it would wonder if a little detail like that mattered that much

 

[alldodge]

The Delco EST will do the trick if it’s tinkered with and the module bypassed. It is basically a TBI distributor, so the information is out there.

Had EST on my 502 MPI

 

[matt167]

Had EST on my 502 MPI

So it was a fuel only setup.. Having ECU control timing is probably less of an issue than I make it and it would most likely be fine, especially for a little 3.0l