Hopefully you anti-fuel-injection folks have not skipped over this story due to its nature-fuel injection! Having been around the hobby for a bit, we've noticed the great divide between the fuel-injected crowd and the carbureted crowd. While both sides have learned to coexist, there are still many arguments about which method of fuel distribution is best.
Carburetors are typically easier to install and cheaper to purchase, and they're required on restored vehicles that rolled from the assembly line with one. Carburetor technology continues to flourish on street and racing applications. However, in order to keep your ride performing at its best, carburetors require frequent maintenance, as well as jet and air bleed swaps due to alterations in altitude and ever-changing weather conditions, never mind frequent choke adjustments. Additionally, carburetors usually lay low on the "wow" index.
Pictured here is the Powerjection...
Pictured here is the Powerjection I EFI system 750-cfm billet polished throttle body accompanied by the Engine Management System (EMS), wiring harness, wideband oxygen sensor kit and module, port-styled injectors, and various sensors (the fuel delivery components are not shown). A quick glance and even the savviest enthusiast would be fooled.
Electronic fuel-injection systems are more on the expensive side, but include many additional benefits compared to conventional carburetion. EFI provides a broader powerband, as well as more consistent cylinder-to-cylinder fuel distribution. With various sensors giving feedback to the electronic control module, EFI can adapt instantaneously to changes in weather conditions as well as altitude. With EFI, you don't have to pump the gas pedal to get your hot rod started, and choke adjustments aren't necessary even in the coldest climates. EFI generally ranks high in the "wow" department.
We've all seen our fair share of cool stuff, and Professional Products' new Powerjection I EFI Fuel System is now on that list. How about keeping your current carbureted-style intake manifold as well as the existing ignition system while modernizing your fuel distribution method to EFI? It even looks like a carburetor for you traditionalists. Professional Products has made it easy to install. The Powerjection EFI contains two key features: a returnless fuel system suitable for engines under 500 hp, and a self-learning Engine Management System (EMS). While it is not necessary to program the EMS via a laptop computer, that feature is available for those who choose to do so.
The Powerjection system is unique because it can be bolted in place of your standard 4150-style carburetor. Its dimensions are similar to a double-pumper carburetor, and its fuel inlet kit, linkages, and air cleaner size and location are identical to the original. The Powerjection unit also allows you to retain the vintage look of a carburetor with the modern conveniences of fuel injection.
To test the Powerjection unit, we wanted a mild-mannered Chevy with excellent driveability, decent horsepower, and a tried-and-true Chevy 350 engine. After a quick phone call to our friends at Crazy Horse Racing in South Amboy, New Jersey, we were acquainted with Lenny Knell of Staten Island, New York. Lenny was a little hesitant at first, being an old-school Chevy guy (anti-fuel injection), but we talked him into letting us transform his '87 El Camino into EFI-promising him positive results, as well as less maintenance.
Let's get started with the install.
 Before beginning any work,...  Before beginning any work, we decided to strap the Camino down to Crazy Horse's Dynojet chassis dyno for some before numbers. After a few stabs, we were less than satisfied; the 350 was sputtering through the rpm range and emitting black smoke from the exhaust (running rich). Horsepower numbers checked in at an extremely low 188. We believe this was due to clogged air bleeds in the carburetor, so rather than waste another minute, we began to install the Powerjection EFI system knowing it would alleviate these problems. |  Installing the Powerjection...  Installing the Powerjection unit is Crazy Horse Technician Glen Knell, who happens to be Lenny's son. Glen began on the underbelly by installing the inline electronic fuel pump and prefilter (which is a standard GM-style GF481). |  Luckily, the El Camino already...  Luckily, the El Camino already had 6 AN steel braided fuel line installed, which is required to handle the higher fuel pressure produced in a fuel-injected system. Since this is a returnless fuel system (one line from the fuel tank only), the EMS will pulse the pump to achieve the desired fuel pressure depending on the conditions set. Glen found a suitable location with easy access to mount the filter and the pump inline on the framerail. |
 The next order of business...  The next order of business was to remove the carburetor. Glen took out the throttle linkage, throttle return springs, vacuum lines, fuel supply line, and four carburetor-to-intake flange fasteners. |  Once all was clear, the carburetor...  Once all was clear, the carburetor was removed from atop the 350. |  A side-by-side comparison...  A side-by-side comparison shows the similarities between the units. The Powerjection unit is much slimmer sans the vacuum secondary diaphragm, choke horn and plate, and electronic choke stat. |