350 TBI Build

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Powerhouse Ranch

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About to tear the 350 (tbi) out of my '88 Jimmy and beef it up. I'm sure there have been some here done in this combination beef up before or what i should do. Planned on putting on bigger/performance heads (obviously then an intake) and a mild cam so i don't have to alter the entire engine. not looking to break the bank on an entire bore out overhaul. just tearing it apart, checking the condition of everything, replacing seals and gaskets and putting some better parts on/in it. Any thoughts? Thanks

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Powerhouse Ranch

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spoke to a good friend of mine, really pushing a case for self learning Holley fuel injection throttle bodies. any thoughts on this? never really was a big fan of the hokey throttle body i have on it now. and with all the new upgrades i'm doing to the motor, i think this'll be the cherry on top, making everything easy and fun
 

Vbb199

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Why get rid of the throttle body?
 

Powerhouse Ranch

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Why get rid of the throttle body?

i question the effectiveness of it, and i like the thought of the new upgraded self-training fuel injection. i don't know, just pushing it around at the moment
 

Vbb199

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i question the effectiveness of it, and i like the thought of the new upgraded self-training fuel injection. i don't know, just pushing it around at the moment
I'm one of the few who encourage keeping tbi, don't mind me.

But if you think it's not supplying enough fuel to meet your HP demands, there's an easy solution for that.

Dunno what kinda numbers you want to make, or expect to see but a brand new pump that makes more than the stock 12 psi (like a 40 psi LT1 pump) or a acdelco ep381 (60 psi) will completely and fully support 230ish hp without touching the TBI.


They seem so anemic on anything because
1. The regulator is brazed in place at 12 psi.
2. A brand new tbi pump at best might put out 12 psi for a few days then drop in efficiency down to 11psi.


Best you could get out of what you have as is, right now, is probably 180 hp. Maybe 190.


If you own a power drill, and have access to nuts and bolts, you can
Increase fuel pressure output at the tbi + install a bigger pump, and that tbi can support as much as 350 or a little more horsepower.


Bigger numbers like 450 hp require boring the tbi, installing big block injectors, and having an adjustable regulator.


If you don't want to deal with the headache of getting the power drill and tap out, aftermarket adjustable regulators are out there.
 
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Vbb199

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If its a matter of reliability..... I'd take my suburbans TBI over my c10s holley sniper, any day.

Just my opinion though, we support you in whatever you do. As long as it isn't the *gasp* coil on plug motor swap, or a ford motor swap.
 

AyWoSch Motors

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Personally, I'd totally get rid of the TBI and anything computer related, and just put a carburetor on it. Get a eddy performer intake with a big 4bbl, and I think you'll be very happy.
 

Powerhouse Ranch

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Personally, I'd totally get rid of the TBI and anything computer related, and just put a carburetor on it. Get a eddy performer intake with a big 4bbl, and I think you'll be very happy.

highly considered it, there's way too much fuel injection crap and extra wiring junk to play around with that in my opinion
 

Powerhouse Ranch

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If its a matter of reliability..... I'd take my suburbans TBI over my c10s holley sniper, any day.

Just my opinion though, we support you in whatever you do. As long as it isn't the *gasp* coil on plug motor swap, or a ford motor swap.

thank you buddy, no i wouldn't think of doing any of those monstrosities
 

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