Gimme some basics

Jppr26 · Dec 13, 2018

I got a 87 v20 4x4 with a tbi 350 and a 4 speed, I'm not looking for anything crazy as my wrenching ability is kinda limited,(no full rehuild type stuff) but I would like to do some work to the motor for some more power/performance. What is some entry level stuff that will do the trick

shiftpro · Dec 14, 2018

Nitrous?

PrairieDrifter · Dec 14, 2018

Headers, aluminum intake, distributor, carb. Maybe cam and lifters but that’s a bit more involved

Rusty Nail · Dec 14, 2018

Change ;

The spark plugs .
The fuel filter.
The spark plug wires.
The air filter.
The PCV valve.
The charcoal canister filter.
The transmission filter.
The differential fluids.
The transfer case fluid.
The u-joints.
The belts.
The gas cap.

Lube the chassis.

Rotate the tires.

Then ask again!

4WDKC · Dec 14, 2018

I have a v10, the problem with these is the efi is old and noone wants to tune them with the exception of a few, some of them are terrible and some are good. Reason I mention this is because this engine has low compression and a small cam not making much power at all and to remedy that situation you will need to tune the efi.

1987 GMC Jimmy · Dec 14, 2018

I would say a good baby step is to delete the air injection and the catalytic converter(s). I wouldn’t do the headers all at once myself because that’s a decent-sized job. There’s less to go wrong if you do that in two steps. Like Kacy said, you don’t have a lot of wiggle room within the factory engine management parameters. If you figure that part out, that opens you up to cam and timing set, intake, heads, injector/throttle body upgrades, pump upgrade, a hotter coil, etc. They can be made into respectable machines using all the Rochester/Delco-Remy goodies you have in front of you, but it’s not like the Gen III guys who are completely ubiquitous with their tuning BS. It’s a cottage industry focused at a very slim, niche market.

@Daveo91Burb

Camar068 · Dec 15, 2018

get a book that shows the complete top to bottom rebuild process of a 350. The one I was given when I was young explained how it works also. After reading that, messing with heads n such wasn't as intimidating.

Gimme some basics

Jppr26

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shiftpro

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PrairieDrifter

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Rusty Nail

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4WDKC

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1987 GMC Jimmy

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Camar068

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