Are the any Hilborn-style fuel injection systems currently in production for Pontiac V8s? If so, what how reliable are they, and how much do they cost?
My friend Larry bought a new stack type set of injectors from Kinsler for his 400 Pontiac. They were very nicely made and worked well running 208 mph in my Vega. But they were very expensive and I wished he had allowed me to alter a late Hilborn SBC manifold to fit the Pontiac. Especially had we started with a three piece set it would have been easy and not hard to cut up the one piece casting. So that's what I think you should do.
I don't know about new stuff available, but here's a complete set up for sale http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?t=640458&highlight=hilborn
I have absolutely nothing at the moment. Nothing more then a socket set for tools. I am interested in injection systems for two reasons. One, the flat-spots in the DellOrto side droughts on my uncle Lotus feel very weird, fuel injection is supposed to avoid these. Two, almost every single hotrod in the Black Hills has a tri-power setup or some combination of quads.
Variable volume venturi, interesting. If I put one over each pair of intake ports using a custom manifold would I have enough fuel/air flow for a 389 or 400? Doing so would entail making my own manifold or selling my liver to a billet shop. Are the Ufab manifold kits still available? My first idea of making a manifold, using Makerbot type rapid prototyping machines, would not work as a manifold is two big to fit in the machines, and the plastics used probably would not survive the heat of an engine bay.
I'm told HS6s can be modified to flow 300cfm apiece, so presumably 8s are good for almost twice that.
If I am running four carbs I think I only need 175 cfm. 400c.i. / 2 = 200 c.i. 200c.i. x 6,000rpm = 1,200,000 cubic inches per minute 1,200,000 / 1728 = 694 4/11 cubic feet per minute Round to 694 cfm 694 / 4 = 173.5 cfm per carburetor. Did I screw up my math?
You just have to factor in volumetric efficiency. It's likely to be around 85%, so the engine is unlikely to pump more than about 600cfm. Two HS6s will do you. Also, keep in mind that simply adding up flow only works on plenum-type manifolds. If you have one carb feeding two cylinders on a separate manifold you'll need that carb to flow more than a quarter of the total. (Don't know if I described that clearly ...)
Contact the SoCal Speed Shop in Los Angeles. They are a Hilborn dealer and they have all sorts of used items too. Normbc9
It's not nearly as cool looking as a Hilborn or Kinsler, but you can buy a Pontiac intake manifold from Edelbrock set up for fuel injection. You add a single four barrel throttle body and a controller (build your own using Megasquirt) and you're ready to go.
If you are still looking I have a pontiac setup with magneto that I might be willing to part with for the right price.
Bump - anyone got a mid 70s Kinsler or Hillborn mechanical fuel injection system for Pontiac RA IV heads?
I see the 4 cylinder injector, but that's not for a RA IV type head - is there something I'm missing? Thanks
If you want something really unique, Pontiac actually made a factory setup in 1957 like the Corvette. Yes, they did, I've seen one back in the day. Probably only in a museum today.
All 630 1957 Bonneville converts came w FI. It was an option in 58 also. Don't think many were sold. Performance wasn't as good as tri-power. I wouldn't pursue that path, just my opinion.
When I was in high school, I worked as a gopher at O'Meara (subsequently "Ocean") Pontiac in Beverly, Massachusetts. Heard via the Dealer grapervine GM had a number of unsold 1957 Bonneville convertibles stashed in a warehouse in New Hampshire or Maine and was reluctant to sell them because of the Fuel Injection System which was similar to, but not identical to the Chevrolet set-up. Just like with Oldsmobile J2 triple carbs, the usual fix was to remove the Pontiac FI and replace with a fuel barrel manifold and carb. Probably be far less problematic today with our access to info and expert advice.
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