What year did Chevy introduce EFI?
Chevrolet first introduced electronic fuel injection in 1957, with the Corvette offering Rochester Ramjet fuel injection. This made Chevy the pioneer in production cars to offer EFI, a milestone that would reshape how American automakers approached power, efficiency, and performance for decades.
1957: Chevrolet's EFI debut
In the 1957 model year, Chevrolet equipped the Corvette’s 283-cubic-inch V8 with the Rochester Ramjet fuel injection system. This setup delivered fuel to the cylinders with the aim of improving throttle response and horsepower compared with carbureted rivals. While it was not a widespread option across the lineup, it marked the first production application of EFI by Chevrolet and set a historic benchmark for the technology in American muscle cars.
From novelty to standard: EFI's long arc at Chevrolet
Milestones in Chevy EFI history
The following milestones trace the journey from Chevy's first EFI in 1957 to the later adoption of electronic fuel injection across its lineup.
- 1957: Corvette becomes the first production Chevrolet to offer fuel injection (Rochester Ramjet) on the 283 V8.
- Late 1980s–early 1990s: General Motors, including Chevrolet, moves from earlier throttle-body injection to more sophisticated electronic fuel injection across many engines; multi-point injection begins to appear on more models.
- Early to mid-1990s: EFI becomes standard equipment on most Chevrolet passenger cars and light trucks, replacing carburetors in new models.
These milestones reflect the arc from a late-1950s experimental EFI setup to the mid-1990s industry-wide shift toward reliable electronic fuel injection across Chevrolet’s lineup.
Summary
Chevrolet's EFI story began in 1957 with the Corvette’s Ramjet system, establishing Chevy as a pioneer in production-based electronic fuel injection. Over the following decades, EFI evolved from a rare option to a standard technology that modern Chevrolets rely on for performance, efficiency, and reliability.
What year did Chevrolet have fuel injection?
1957
1957 WAS THE FIRST YEAR CHEVROLET USED A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM ON THEIR CARS. IT WAS INSTALLED ON A 265 CI V8.
When did Chevy stop using carburetors in trucks?
The last year for a carbureted Chevy truck was 1986. Starting with the 1987 model year, Chevrolet began equipping its C/K trucks with throttle body fuel injection (TBI) as a standard feature, marking the end of the carbureted era for these trucks before they transitioned to the new body style for 1988.
- 1986 Chevy C/K: This was the final model year for carbureted engines in this popular "square body" series.
- 1987 C/K: The 1987 model year was the first to introduce fuel injection (TBI) on its V8 engines, although some V6 models may have still been carbureted.
- 1988-onward: The C/K series was redesigned for the 1988 model year, and all engines came standard with fuel injection.
When did GM start using EFI?
Also in 1957, General Motors introduced the Rochester Ramjet option, consisting of a fuel injection system for the V8 engine in the Chevrolet Corvette.
Is a 1993 Chevy Silverado fuel injected?
Yes, a 1993 Chevy Silverado is fuel-injected. By this time, fuel injection, often in the form of throttle body injection (TBI), had largely replaced carburetors in gasoline engines due to the need for more precise fuel/air mixture control for emissions regulations and catalytic converters.
- Technology: The 1993 Silverado used a computer-controlled fuel injection system, specifically a throttle body injection (TBI) system for most models.
- Engine options: Both the available engines (like the 4.3L V6 and 5.7L V8) were equipped with fuel injection.
- Historical context: Fuel injection was becoming standard by the late 1980s and early 1990s, primarily because it allowed for the precise control of the air-fuel ratio needed for catalytic converters to function efficiently.
