Carb versus EFI
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 50
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From:
RE: Carb versus EFI
Emissions is a tiny, insignificant portion of why carbs are no longer used. As flhrci said, efficiency and power are the main reasons. Better fuel regulation means more efficient burn and the ability to generate more power per cubic inch than ever before. Look at a 911 GT3 for example. 3.8L, 415HP normally aspirated!!!!!!! Freaking amazing!
If the bike came with the carb, good on you. But I would never seek it out. I think a Harley has plenty of nostalgia without having to deal with carbueration. My .02.
If the bike came with the carb, good on you. But I would never seek it out. I think a Harley has plenty of nostalgia without having to deal with carbueration. My .02.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
RE: Carb versus EFI
ORIGINAL: adamoc
Emissions is a tiny, insignificant portion of why carbs are no longer used. As flhrci said, efficiency and power are the main reasons. Better fuel regulation means more efficient burn and the ability to generate more power per cubic inch than ever before. Look at a 911 GT3 for example. 3.8L, 415HP normally aspirated!!!!!!! Freaking amazing!
Emissions is a tiny, insignificant portion of why carbs are no longer used. As flhrci said, efficiency and power are the main reasons. Better fuel regulation means more efficient burn and the ability to generate more power per cubic inch than ever before. Look at a 911 GT3 for example. 3.8L, 415HP normally aspirated!!!!!!! Freaking amazing!
(BTW correct me if I'm wrong, aren't most drag racers still using carbs and making BIG HP numbers on small block motors??) ((I know there are some EFI cars running))
EFI Harley's are SLOW. Run with some guys that have carbs (and if they can ride) they will leave you behind from every light and when a sensor goes out on you EFI HD, hope they notice your not there and come back for you. The ONLY reason HD went to EFI is EPA regulations. If you joined and are active in MRO's you would know this stuff.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
RE: Carb versus EFI
ORIGINAL: adamoc
Emissions is a tiny, insignificant portion of why carbs are no longer used. As flhrci said, efficiency and power are the main reasons. Better fuel regulation means more efficient burn and the ability to generate more power per cubic inch than ever before. Look at a 911 GT3 for example. 3.8L, 415HP normally aspirated!!!!!!! Freaking amazing!
If the bike came with the carb, good on you. But I would never seek it out. I think a Harley has plenty of nostalgia without having to deal with carbueration. My .02.
Emissions is a tiny, insignificant portion of why carbs are no longer used. As flhrci said, efficiency and power are the main reasons. Better fuel regulation means more efficient burn and the ability to generate more power per cubic inch than ever before. Look at a 911 GT3 for example. 3.8L, 415HP normally aspirated!!!!!!! Freaking amazing!
If the bike came with the carb, good on you. But I would never seek it out. I think a Harley has plenty of nostalgia without having to deal with carbueration. My .02.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,658
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From: NorNev
RE: Carb versus EFI
A properly running EFI in a closed loop system is able to make adjustments to conditions as they are needed because of altitude, temperature, or load. If you remove the emissions and fuel economy issues that these engines are forced to cope with they will make more horsepower.
Carbs are much easier to adjust for modifications than the EFI at this point.
Top fuel and Formula 1 both use Fuel Injection.Nascar mechanics would love to have a computer controlled EFI where they could monitor and tune the car for changing conditions. With no restrictions on money spent the same enginewill make more horsepower on atop EFI than on a top Carb.
Carbs are much easier to adjust for modifications than the EFI at this point.
Top fuel and Formula 1 both use Fuel Injection.Nascar mechanics would love to have a computer controlled EFI where they could monitor and tune the car for changing conditions. With no restrictions on money spent the same enginewill make more horsepower on atop EFI than on a top Carb.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: Carb versus EFI
ORIGINAL: DirtyDave
EFI Harley's are SLOW. Run with some guys that have carbs (and if they can ride) they will leave you behind from every light
EFI Harley's are SLOW. Run with some guys that have carbs (and if they can ride) they will leave you behind from every light
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 239
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From:
RE: Carb versus EFI
ORIGINAL: Storm 4 U
Plus if you ever hit the higher elevations on road trips
wont have to worry about with EFI
Plus if you ever hit the higher elevations on road trips
wont have to worry about with EFI
I've had flights with less elevation change
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,397
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From:
RE: Carb versus EFI
ORIGINAL: adamoc
Emissions is a tiny, insignificant portion of why carbs are no longer used. As flhrci said, efficiency and power are the main reasons. Better fuel regulation means more efficient burn and the ability to generate more power per cubic inch than ever before. Look at a 911 GT3 for example. 3.8L, 415HP normally aspirated!!!!!!! Freaking amazing!
If the bike came with the carb, good on you. But I would never seek it out. I think a Harley has plenty of nostalgia without having to deal with carbueration. My .02.
Emissions is a tiny, insignificant portion of why carbs are no longer used. As flhrci said, efficiency and power are the main reasons. Better fuel regulation means more efficient burn and the ability to generate more power per cubic inch than ever before. Look at a 911 GT3 for example. 3.8L, 415HP normally aspirated!!!!!!! Freaking amazing!
If the bike came with the carb, good on you. But I would never seek it out. I think a Harley has plenty of nostalgia without having to deal with carbueration. My .02.
]
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Carb versus EFI
My take is:I was weaned on carbs and know them inside and out,they have never let me down.I can modify them tweak them,and polish them.Can also try different carbs.Also think they look cool.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
RE: Carb versus EFI
I like EFI. It's not that difficult to 'understand', but does take some specialized tools to work on. For all those that are over the age of 45 you'll remember when Fuel Injectionwas a dirty work when it came to getting automobile insurance. I'm actually thinking about building a Megasquirt: http://www.megasquirt.info/system in the near future to replace the existing EEC-IV computer inmy Jeep Project:
That being said, my 93 FLHS is CV carbed. Although I've never run any 'true' mountains, it has performed well over the years. Although it does have the usual cold morning carb issues, that are easily remedied by using the enrichener. My buddies 97 FLHTCU doesn't have that problem. Or any other problems. There are loads of things that can possibly 'break' on both of these bikes, but if I worried about that...I'd never ride (or drive) anywhere.
EFI is here to stay in bikes, cars, trucks, boats. So if you are a carb hound you've either gonna have to build it yourself, maintain what you got, or buy the old stuff before it all gets crushed.
That being said, my 93 FLHS is CV carbed. Although I've never run any 'true' mountains, it has performed well over the years. Although it does have the usual cold morning carb issues, that are easily remedied by using the enrichener. My buddies 97 FLHTCU doesn't have that problem. Or any other problems. There are loads of things that can possibly 'break' on both of these bikes, but if I worried about that...I'd never ride (or drive) anywhere.
EFI is here to stay in bikes, cars, trucks, boats. So if you are a carb hound you've either gonna have to build it yourself, maintain what you got, or buy the old stuff before it all gets crushed.
