Here is what you said: “I really don’t care to pay out the nose every so often just to keep some backlogged MFI rebuilder in business”
“Paying out the nose” clearly indicates to me that you think their price is too high, so you’re looking for a cheaper alternative. What am I missing here?
If you think adapting an EFI to fit to a Pagoda engine is something doable why don’t you try this yourself? If serious, I’d start with a proven aftermarket setup such as something from Megasquirt? Maybe they can help…and I’m sure they are not the only players out there.
You are reading into it and it is all relative. I do not believe the billed labor hours for rebuilding such a system are worthwhile. I get it, supply and demand, there's not many people left who are truly comfortable and competent with these systems who will stand by their work. Buy once, cry once, and so on. I'm very used to that principle from my day job and some of my other hobbies.
I have no problem spending a ton of money on things you'd probably laugh at. I find value in those things. I do not find value in the MFI system. I do not like the nervousness that comes with the idea that if something goes wrong with it, I'd be up a creek to find someone in my region who knows what he's doing immediately.
In sum: what they ask might be what it's worth. It probably is, if they remain in business. That goes for any business. I do not see the value, just as I don't see the value in hiring a landscape company to manage my 5000 shrubs, or going out to eat when I'd rather cook for myself and be more satisfied, and not even because I fancy myself a great cook, but my value to time to expense ratios are in line with my preferences when I do it myself.
I'd like to look into the Megasquirt system. Though I admit, the expense and whatnot might just lead me to buying that fancy M103 where all the work has been done and mothball my relatively low mileage M127.