Holly's new EFI bolt on.

Seems like a lot of CFM to throw on a Type 1. Concept looks good tho.

CB Performance, Gene Berg Ent and Redline are 3 companies I can think of that have developed EFI systems specifically for VW aircooled engines (with varying degrees of success) over the years. The CB and Berg  set-ups both used throttle bodies that looked a little like IDF's/Del's and you took off the carbs and used the same intake manifolds. I believe Redline had a center mounted throttle body. None of the systems have been all that easy to program.

  Unfortunately I don't think there is anything readily adaptable on the Holley page.  I remember Jenvey having the right sized throttle bodies that bolt to IDF/Dellorto manifolds, but I haven't kept up with what's available and how people are doing it these days. If you want to know more, Shoptalkforums has a whole section devoted to electronic engine management. 

I know the other systems have been dicey. Apparently the programming is a big problem - an on going problem. And the cost!   $3k.

This I know is wishful thinking, but I certainly like the idea of $1k and self programming. But I doubt the balance would ever work.

Just wishing. With the low quality of gas today, seems I am always messing the carbs. When they are right, man o man!  They are great. 

I'll read through the Shoptalk Forums.  Thanks.

Anyone who thinks going to EFI will solve all their problems is fooling themselves.

I'm proof-positive of that type of thinking.

My CB fuel injection kit was a horror story in the making.  No one close to where I lived could tune the thing to make it run properly, including Intermeccanica's head mechanic.

There are several original 356 owners in New England running around with EFI, and two, that I know of, also running crank-fired ignition.  All of those were set up by Rainer Cooney at the Meister Restorations in New Hampshire before he spun off his Spyder operation, so 5+ years ago.  Those two are 4-Cam Carerra engines that are putting out about the same torque as some of our stouter 2,110's or larger.  Plus, they idle dead-smooth (something the original 4-cam engines NEVER did).  I also saw a guy from Connecticut at a show last summer with a VW sedan running a CB Performance 2276 and a Gen 4 EFI and he thought it was pretty good - easily programmable with his laptop and from what I gathered, pretty reliable (although.....he was on his second ECU in two years - might be heat related).   Other details were tough to get between his poor English and my poor Spanish, but he loved the car.

I guess the success or failure of aftermarket EFI systems depends upon three things:  (1) getting a quality, well-tested system to start with that other people have already begun using (so they can do advanced debugging before you get involved), (2) finding the right "tuner" site to help you along with any questions and support as you progress and (3) a certain amount of luck and patience.

The Holly system is intriguing, though, because they have decades of EFI experience in the Street Rod market and have a great rep over there.  Like the Holly 450/Autolite 2500 single carb setup for VW's back in the 70's (which was great), I think the Holly EFI for VW's should be just as good.

Thanks for the response Gordon.  I believe in my case I will simply leave my dual Webers and continue to save /plan for a Subie conversion. I just thought this Holly seemed like a dream come true. But like a lot of dreams, alas... reality is different.

Time to go pack on a week's worth of calories. Have a happy thanksgiving everyone.

Tested technology is better than cutting edge tech.  I find it is more like bleeding edge...  

I did hear back from a Holly rep who said their new self adjusting efi needed at least 200 hp and would "probably" now work on an air cooled.

Maybe one day something that works and is affordable will come along. .  For today my dual carbs really are great - especially if I avoid ethanol ... so why mess with great?

http://www.carburetion.com/Web...ild4cylinjection.asp

Exactly . 3k - $4k. Ouch.

Seems to be the going rate. Seems also like a single throttle body and manifold could be sourced that could be modded to the Type 1. Like you could start with a Subie. Or even go ITB, for sheer coolness, as that's a whole thing. Trouble is, you'd still be in deep trying to get the computer to work. I think the Megasquirt could work. That's under a grand. So you pay with money, or pay with time & trouble, I guess.

I'll keep my Webers

Either jump in completely and go for the complete package with dual manifolds/throttle bodies or go home.  There are several bolt on fuel injection systems available. But remember most are designed by someone who has a inline four background or a v8 background.  If they think it will work on a aircooled vw -It won't. And you don't need to do there R& D work.  Besides CB there are a few others designed for VWs . If you go to the cal look forum based in Europe you can read about a few. Also the shoptalk forum has a few good posts on the subject. Each manufacture designs have there issues, nothing beats that air cooled engine with a set of 48 Ida's howling and you short shifted it at 5500 rpms knowing there's more up to 7,000 rpms.