TJ Pruitt
Kenny Underwood, two-time Million Dollar Race Winner
Long Beach, MS – After being stubborn for several years, I finally decided to make the swap to FuelTech as the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that basically runs my entire bracket car. I call it stubborn because I am old school and was raised with the mentality of “if it aint broke, don’t fix it. However, it’s 2024 and the technology of FuelTech can help the racer become even more competitive in the world of bracket and sportsman racing.
FuelTech has every bracket racing component that I have used in the past, in 1 box.
I am writing this blog for racers like me who are interested in learning more about FuelTech but don’t know the basics. Also, what is required, and what is not required.
After seeing some of the bracket racers make the swap from the traditional bracket racing setups and delay boxes to FuelTech, I had to look further into this system and I have truly been impressed and am glad that I made the swap.
Kenny Underwood’s Camaro with the FT550
I hope this blog on what I have learned will help answer questions that you may have if you have considered swapping to FuelTech or just curious to know it’s capabilities.
I will keep it high level for now and get more detailed in future blog entries. Ok, enough of my rambling, let’s jump into what I’ve learned so far.
1. You do NOT need Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) to use FuelTech.
In fact, some racers only use FuelTech for only their digital gauges and as a Data Logger. They still use their favorite carburetor, MSD Ignition, their K&R wiring kit & Switch Panel, and even their K&R Delay box. This is the most simplified version that I’ve seen, and racers love the data logger and screen.
If you chose this option, I think the FuelTech 450 is best to purchase. The FuelTech 450 is a digital screen that you can mount on the dash or steering column and has 7 channels and 10 outputs. This means you can display and data record channels like water temp, transmission temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure, driveshaft, and more. You can install up to 7 channels of your choice. Transmission pan temp sensor is an example of a channel.
The built-in delay box and dial board feature is also available with the FuelTech 450 but it’s not required to use.
2. FuelTech ECU can be used to control Multiple Outputs:
– Throttle Stop Controller
– Dial Board Controller. FuelTech Dial Boards sold separately.
– Shift controller (Time or RPM)
– Managing power adders and nitrous controllers & timers
– Delay Box, as I’ve mentioned before.
– Timing and Ignition Controller. You can ramp and adjusting your timing from the convenience of the drivers-seat since FuelTech is touch screen!
– There are so many other features and controls this ECU can control, over 175 pages worth in their online documentation, but you get the high-level point I’m trying to make.
3. FuelTech can be used to FULLY control your car.
This is another option for your car. You can ditch your ignition box (example MSD Grid and MSD Grid Controller) and use Fueltech’s “coil-on” system for ignition. The FuelTech ECU (example a FT550) will serve as the ignition controller. You can still use this setup with your carburetor.
You can also ditch your delay box, the switch panel and relay board and use FuelTech’s all in one switch panel.
One thing to keep in mind, the more options and channels that you add, it may be best to step up to their next option which is the FT550 which has more channels and inputs. 14 Inputs to be exact.
The FT550 can basically handle anything and more for the average sportsman racer, with the room to upgrade your car to data record more channels.
4. Is FuelTech Hard to Install and Wire?
One of the biggest questions that I had about FuelTech is the wiring. I’ve heard rumors of the wiring being difficult to install. However, in my application, I purchased the complete harness that FuelTech offers, which has all cables and terminations that I could possibly need, already pre-terminated. So far, the system has been as easy as just plugging the sensors, ECU, and components into the harness. This has been great. Of course, there are unused cables on the harness since I’m not using every feature that FuelTech has to offer. I have secured those excess cables under the dash or firewall.
For dragsters, it could be more difficult to secure the excess cables for the harness. Fortunately, Andre Nunez has identified a few wiring gurus who can build you a custom harness or completely wire the car for you. This is only an option if you do not care to have the excess harness cables.
5. Tech Support; Online, On Track, and More
The most important and best thing about FuelTech is their Tech Support. Their phone Tech Support and online chat on Fueltech.net is very helpful and available to help. FuelTech also has Facebook Groups, Whatsapp Groups, email support, and best of all – they attend drag races and eager to help at the track.
I hope this high-level overview from my perspective is helpful to any racer out there who is old school like me and is looking to learn the latest technology.
Don’t hesitate to shoot me an email if you have any questions (dragcoverage@gmail.com) but I highly encourage you to contact FuelTech Support at the numbers below. They are VERY helpful.
Do me a favor and tell them you read about it on DragCoverage and that you’re interested in learning more.
Thanks,
TJ Pruitt
