Does ZFG Recommend Injector upgrades?
Aftermarket Part:
Parts Category:
Other Names / Types:
Injector
Fuel System
Injector, Direct Injection, DI, GDI, Fuel Injection, Port Injection, PI, Port rail, port manifold
The Basics:
Optimized Performance:
Fuel injectors are crucial components designed to ensure the precise delivery of fuel to the engine, enabling optimal performance and power production. Upgrading fuel injectors often involves replacing stock units with high-performance versions that can handle increased fuel flow and pressure. The need for a fuel injector upgrade is dependent on the platform, goals, and fuel used. Common examples of upgraded fuel injector components include high-flow injectors, multi-hole injectors, and high-impedance injectors.
Spray Pattern: The spray pattern of fuel injectors plays a critical role in the efficiency and performance of the engine. Different injectors have various spray patterns designed to optimize fuel atomization and mixing with air.
Recommended Modifications & Tune-Related Impact:
See Fuel System
How it Works:
Within The System:
Injectors are responsible for directing fuel from the fuel pump(s) into the appropriate place for combustion. They ensure that the engine receives the optimal air-fuel mixture, or AFR. This precise delivery is controlled by the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit (ECU), which adjusts the fuel injection timing and amount based on various factors such as engine speed, temperature, and load.
Spray Pattern:
Single-Hole Spray: Produces a narrow, focused spray, often used in older injector designs.
Multi-Hole Spray: Features multiple holes that create a fine mist, improving fuel atomization and combustion efficiency.
V-Shaped Spray: Directs fuel in a V-pattern, which can be narrow or wide, depending on the design. This pattern helps target the back of intake valves or specific areas within the combustion chamber.
Bent Spray: Sprays fuel at an angle, which can be beneficial for certain engine configurations to ensure better mixing and combustion.
Throttle Body Injection (TBI) Spray: Used in systems where the injector is located in the throttle body, producing a wider spray pattern to mix fuel with air before it enters the intake manifold.
Types of Injectors:
High-Flow Injectors: These injectors are designed to deliver a larger volume of fuel to the engine, making them ideal for high-performance and racing applications where increased fuel demand is necessary. High-flow injectors are essential for engines that have been modified to produce more power, as they ensure that the engine receives the appropriate amount of fuel to match the increased air intake.
Port Injection Injectors: These injectors deliver fuel into the intake ports, where it mixes with the incoming air before entering the combustion chamber. Port injection injectors are commonly used in older engines and some modern engines that utilize a combination of port and direct injection. They are known for their simplicity, reliability, and ability to keep intake valves clean by preventing carbon deposits.
Direct Injection Injectors: Used in direct fuel injection systems, these injectors deliver fuel directly into the combustion chamber at very high pressures. This method allows for precise control over the air-fuel mixture, resulting in improved combustion efficiency, better fuel economy, and reduced emissions. Direct injection injectors are essential for modern high-performance engines that require precise fuel delivery at high pressures.
Multi-Hole Injectors: Featuring multiple holes for fuel delivery, these injectors provide better atomization of the fuel, resulting in a more efficient and complete combustion process. Multi-hole injectors are commonly used in modern engines to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance overall engine performance.
High-Impedance Injectors: These injectors are designed to work with the electronic control units (ECUs) of modern vehicles, providing precise control over fuel delivery. High-impedance injectors are known for their reliability and compatibility with a wide range of engine management systems, making them a popular choice for both stock and modified engines.
Low-Impedance Injectors: These injectors are designed for high-performance applications where rapid fuel delivery is required. Low-impedance injectors provide faster response times and higher flow rates, making them suitable for engines that demand quick and precise fuel delivery.
Explorer-Specific Recommendations:
General recommendations for this platform are as follows:
Injectors:
For versatility and fuel system efficiency, we recommend injectors that support a flow rate of at least 20% over stock.
For customers planning max effort builds, we recommend the largest injectors available (Nostrum Stage 3 = 96% over).
F150-Specific Recommendations:
When to Upgrade / Stock Fuel System Capability:
2.7L F150 (2018+ - Factory Port Injection) Can run up to full e85 with a tune only. No fuel injector upgrades are needed in most cases.
3.5L F150 (High Output - Raptor, Limited) Can run up to e50 with no additional modifications. For customers looking to run full e85, a port injector upgrade is required.
We recommend injectors with a capacity of 1065.0 CC.
This upgrade is sufficient to support upgraded turbos running full e85.
3.5L F150 (Standard Output) Can run up to e50 with no additional modifications. For customers looking to run full e85, a port injector upgrade is required.
We recommend selecting injectors with a capacity of 1065.0 CC.