EFi engine to Carb

[gtalbot]

Not sure if this is the correct place for my questions, I will put it here since it relates to a repair issue...

I have a couple of questions that have been kicking around, i will just dump them here.

My car is an 88 and the engine has seen better days. It still runs and I intend to run it till it quits, I will do what I must to keep it running, within reason. I don't want the hassle of swapping the harness and everything to EFi on the car. I plan on staying carb and doing the weber swap while working on the engine. My concern is being unable to find a carb B3 to drop in its place.

1. If i can get a EFI B3 from a festy it should have the fuel pump lobe, correct? Will it run in a carb car, if not what needs to be done (other than bolt up my intake and carb)?

2. If i cant find a Festy B3, is there anything other than swapping the cam, rockers and intake that needs to be done to make it run in my carb festy?

I know its probably an odd question but I'm not all that familiar with carbed cars.

Thanks,
Tom

[TheNewAmericanSpirit]

I could be totally wrong, and is so someone correct me, but you can put any B3 into your car and just keep your current Carb intake manifold and bolt it to the new engine. And if you can find a B3 with a 5 speed them drop that tranny in there too!

[drddan]

The the EFI cam does have the fuel pump lobe. May need to polish it some. No need to change the cam or rockers.
If you get an EFI, just use the intake from the carb motor.
You could also use a B6 from a 1989 Mazda 323. It bolts right in, no mods needed. It is a bored out B3....and more power!

Good Luck!

[FestYboy]

1: festy cams ALL have the lobe, but it is not polished/treated to run the mechanical fuel pumps in an EFI car. so if you need to replace your engine, you need to either use your original cam, OR install an electric pump.

2: if you need to use an aspire engine, you have to use the festy intake, cam and rockers. you will also need to swap the alt and WP pulleys from the aspire into the festy (ribbed units to match the Aspire crank pulley which is NOT swapable with your festy pulley. crank pullies must remain with their respective engines in your case.) you will also HAVE to re-use the festy exhaust manifold and downpipe, AND the thermostat housing.

note of caution: the 2 thermo valves under the carbie intake are easily damaged and can cause poor running conditions from vaccum leaks. inspect them after intake removal for cracking, loose/rotted hoses, broken nipples.

[drddan]

I have a 1989 B6, was EFI, and I use the fuel pump lobe to run the mech fuel pump. It works just fine! It is hard, but needed polishing to smooth it out.

[gtalbot]

Thanks for the replies, I now know what I'm in for.

[Bert]

There is lots of grumbling here about the OEM Festy cabs in that they are feedback electric governed and finicky whereas a Weber is standalone. If your engine is slated for retirement, and you have the time and inclination, seeking out a carbed-engine B6 as a replacement can help liven up your investment. Supposed to be one of the easier retrofits.