Here’s the complete kit, as unpackaged from FiTech. It comes complete with all of the necessary hardware, gaskets, sensors, throttle body, handheld controller, controller mount, weld-in O2 sensor exhaust bung, and in our case, the FiTech Fuel Command Center (PN-0003).

The FiTech throttle body kit is available in various finishes (matte or tumbled) and two different fuel injector counts (either in 4 or 8). We opted for the matte finish with eight total injectors; two in each port. This is Part Number 30012. Our particular model is rated for fuel/air flow capabilities up to 600 hp!

Before we tore into our Pontiac, we disconnected the battery for safety reasons and to ensure that we don’t have any issues with the electronics included in the kit. Remember, we’ll be installing O2 sensors, an electric fuel pump, a handheld controller, additional wiring harnesses and other electronically driven hardware.

Pulling the old carb off was a great feeling; it was relatively problematic and flakey in the first place, and it was a sign of evolving Project Redo from an old-school relic, into a more modern, efficient and reliable performance machine. It’ll make a great paperweight!

After we test-fit the throttle body to the intake manifold, we immediately realized that it wasn’t going to be a direct fitment after all; our spread bore intake manifold wasn’t in tune with the ports of the FiTech throttle body. That meant we needed a special gasket and spacers. While our parts runner ran to Summit (which is thankfully close to us and opened late), we went ahead and worked around it to do other tasks that awaited, including installing the fuel port plugs.

With the parts we needed now at our disposal, we had to swap in a new Edlebrock gasket that was made specifically for our intake, as well as a spacer to help the FiTech throttle linkage clear the intake’s runner. Our particular application called for Edelbrock PN-2731.

With all of our fuel lines connected and our Fuel Command Center ready for action. Dubbed the “ultimate in fuel delivery,” it’s the most efficient way to supply fuel to the throttle body without the use of a return line. Being a returnless system, it utilizes the stock fuel tank, fuel pump and inlet fuel line. There’s a fuel pressure regulator built into the command center, pre-set to 58-psi.

Picking a location to install the included fuel filter was quite easy; it had to run between the throttle body and the Command Center, and we wanted to be somewhere easily accessible, for future replacement or service. We also wanted it to be in a location with the most direct-flow possible, and that seemed to be in the corner of the engine bay just before the driver’s side wheel well.

The Handheld Controller connects with two plug-in adapters, that we’ve run through the firewall and into the interior. You can route them any way you want for your vehicle, but we later tucked them under the kick panel and have routed the wiring to the counsel where the the FiTech handheld controller will live, hidden from view in a way to leave the interior completely stock-appearing. The kit also includes a windshield mount, for those who prefer to monitor your engine’s vitals and want the convenience of adjusting the system at your finger tips.

Setting up the FiTech system couldn’t be any easier; the digital display walks you through the process, as you select the number of cylinders, engine displacement in cubic inches, and so on. The software handles the rest!

After a few sidetracking incidents, we started to get into the 12th-hour of our FiTech EFI install, but we were finally getting near the finishing line. All that was left was to do a systems check; check all of our lines, hoses and ensure that everything was tight. We intended on making a few more dyno pulls and we wanted to see how much power and torque our effort was worth.

Once we let the Firebird cool down a little after our hour-long trek to Hutter Performance, we strapped the car down to their in-house in-ground chassis dyno to see just what kind of power this old ‘bird was putting down. As it turned out, our efforts weren’t wasted…

At 8:30pm, we strapped the car back down to the dyno for our follow-up test pulls…

The results speak for themselves; with a baseline run of 213 hp and and 279 lb-ft. to the rear ties, our Firebird earned another 13 hp and 4 lb-ft. of torque after the FiTech kit was installed — totaling 226 and 283, respectively. Now please keep in mind, that the goal isn’t about an improvement in sheer power, but overall drivability, reliability and cold-starting capability. We’ve driven the ’68 Firebird for a solid three weeks after the FiTech kit was installed, and have not only noticed an improvement in the peak power, but the power increase could be felt throughout the power band, courtesy of our “driver’s seat dyno.” We’ve also seen an increase of close to 5mpg overall, without changing our driving style.

Since our factory air cleaner was a little restrictive for our taste, we decided to up the ante with a K&N unit. It came complete with a base, 14-inch diameter/2.5-inch tall filter element and the XStream air lid. These are available as a kit, in various height and diameter sizes.

With our newly installed FiTech throttle body and fuel injection system providing ample power, performance and much-improved efficiency, in addition to our high-flow K&N filter kit, we’ve brought our ’68 Firebird into the 21st century. As you can see in the photo, the Fitech kit doesn’t look out of place in our engine bay, and might even throw off the casual observer at a local car show as a carburetor.