ok, Devil's advocate mode ON
how about EFI at partial throttle?
one could think a PCM can handle the parameters.
is there a difference between a mower carb at WOT 100 cfm and an EFI at partial allowing 100 cfm in?
same load, same rpm, results in same vacuum.
the mower carb will have maximum air velocity giving the best fuel atomization. jet size will determine AF ratio.
in addition the sizeable increase in plenum volume helps.
the efi has higher fuel pressure so it has excellent atomization at any flow rate.
O2 sensors will tell the PCM what AF is best,,,,according to the fuel mapping, after considering rpm and vacuum.
But wait, there's more!
there is nothing new about small carbs.
many years ago,,like 40+ or so, one of the car magazines had an article discussing/mentioning Taxi carbs.
they stated we'd be surprised at the mileage they obtained with factory equipped small carbs.
it was also noted that those taxis had severly limited power as speeds increased. not a big deal in city traffic.