Edelbrock’s Pro Flo 4 Takes POL’s C10 To The Next Level

Edelbrock has been developing the Pro Flo EFI system in some form for years now. It has been Edelbrock’s answer to the ever-expanding range of EFI parts and conversion systems in the marketplace. The latest iteration, the Pro Flo 4, possesses the same forward-thinking technology that made the first-generation a hit. Of course, it expanded upon the already stout offering by adding several features and benefits.

So, when our friends at Performance Online(POL) were looking for an easy plug-and-play solution for their LS-powered C10, we knew just who to contact. The folks at Edelbrock sent us their newest system to install and test. In the video above, we teamed up with the guys at Orange County Hot Rods in Corona, California, to tackle the installation.

Afterward, I got behind the wheel of the POL C10 to put the system through its paces. Here are my thoughts on the Pro Flo 4 from its features and benefits to my driving impressions while piloting the Chevy pickup.

Features and Benefits:

Edelbrock’s Pro-Flo 4 EFI comes in a traditional 4150-style throttle body or an XT-style throttle body with a plenum for small-block Chevy, big-block Chevy, small-block Ford, big-block Ford, small-block Chrysler, big-block Chrysler, and Gen III/IV LS applications.

The model we used on the 5.3-liter LS in POL’s C10 is Edelbrock’s Pro-Flo 4 XT Sequential Port EFI system (P/N 35733). It came out of the box wearing a handsome wrinkle black finish. The first thing I noticed was the intake ships pre-assembled. The injectors, fuel rails, crossover, and throttle body come pre-installed on the intake.

Coming out of the box ready-to-run carries the added benefit of taking the guesswork out of part selection and speeds up the installation process overall.

The parts included with the intake manifold are premium-quality – something we’ve come to expect from Edelbrock over the years. Ours sported 35 lb/hr injectors good for up to 550hp when fed 58psi of fuel pressure. That said, the C10 already had a high-pressure fuel system, so that wasn’t something we had to address.

That pretty much takes care of the hardware. But, the Pro-Flo’s software is where it really shines. The new system features a totally re-designed ECU that boasts a faster processor, waterproof case, and compact design.

Another upgrade from previous versions is the Bluetooth chip, allowing users to connect via the E-Tuner 4 app with an Android smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Using the app gives tuners control over air-fuel ratios, ignition curve, idle speed, acceleration fuel, coolant fans, and rev-limiter.

Of course, for users who don’t want to get into the nitty-gritty and reinvent the wheel, there is the option of loading a pre-installed base tune.

The LS-Powered C10 was already a sweet ride. With Edelbrock’s new Pro Flo 4 system, it’s even more fun to drive.

Install:

Speaking of loading pre-installed tunes – that’s precisely what we did with the C10. But first, we had to handle the install of the intake manifold. It went as smoothly as you’d expect from any LS intake manifold install. After pressing in the supplied gaskets, torquing the manifold bolts to spec, fabbing-up a cold-air intake, and wiring in the new harness, we were done. It really was as simple as that.

That left us to the tuning portion using the E-Tuner 4 app. The kit we got from Edelbrock included a seven-inch Android tablet. This means there’s an option for us iPhone users that can’t download the app, albeit at a slightly higher cost.

If you already have an Android device, all you have to do is download the app from Google Play Store – it’s free. There are even multiple dash displays included with the app which allow you to monitor engine vitals and performance. Best of all, none of this has to be done on a laptop.

A tough wrinkle black finish, cool James Bond gadget tablet, and premium components – yeah, the Pro Flo 4 is a winner.

Impressions:

Once we had everything installed, it came time to boot up the E-Tuner 4 app on the tablet. The app was incredibly intuitive. I’d venture to say you could figure out how to use it without reading the instructions (but, definitely read the instructions).

The first step was running the Setup Wizard. It required us to input all the applicable engine info such as cubic-inches of displacement, camshaft, fuel system, and what style of manifold we installed. We then uploaded a base-calibration map included in the E-Tuner 4 app.

Finally, we fired up the C10 and got ready to hit the road. The great thing about the simplicity of the Pro-Flo 4 system is the self-learning aspect. Edelbrock says the more you drive it, the more it learns. The C10 ran pretty well right away, but as we drove around putting it through its paces, I could feel the throttle response improving.

In the beginning, while cruising, we had a little hesitation in the throttle when going wide-open. Eventually, as it learned, the hesitation went away, and we were able to open it up. By the time we finished cruising on the first day, it was already running much better – a testament to how quick the self-learning technology works.

Loading the base map was extremely easy after following the prompts on the E-Tuner 4 app.

Conclusion:

Overall, Edelbrock’s Pro Flo 4 system is an excellent option for anyone wanting to tackle this project in their own garage over a weekend. Most enthusiasts can expect to begin the install on a Saturday morning and be cruising by Sunday afternoon. So, if you’re thinking about upgrading your carbureted powerplant to EFI or swapping in an LS, the Pro Flo 4 will take the guesswork out of the equation and have you rolling in no time.

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Vinny Costa

Fast cars, motorcycles, and loud music are what get Vinny’s blood pumping. Catch him behind the wheel of his ’68 Firebird. Chances are, Black Sabbath will be playing in the background.
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