Best budget ideas for carb to TBI swap?

[crazy4offroad]

I have seen a couple posts mentioning a mod like this and it has me thinking it would be the best idea for my truck. Seems like I remember someone (Andy?) mentioning a bigblock TBI on a higher performance smallblock would be a hot setup. I mainly still want to run Vortec heads on my Gen 1 4-bolt main 350 with flattops, around 11:1 CR. What is the best TBI setup I should be looking at? What all components will I need? O2 sensor of course, but what are the mandatory minimums for it to work? I was thinking the Edelbrock RPM air-gap intake for Vortec heads, with a TBI adapter plate might be a good choice. Any other/better recommendations?

 

[Jims86]

this:http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/efi/estreet_intro.shtml
and be done with it.
it will tune its self, which is a big plus since running vortec heads, and it will re tune for any other mods you may do. Having done a shitload of EFI conversions, this is what I would do if I didnt have to worry about emissions. Well worth the cost...trust me.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Like the idea, hate the fuggin price. If I can buy parts $100-$200 at a time and get it done with existing production parts it would be better.

 

[Jims86]

Like the idea, hate the fuggin price. If I can buy parts $100-$200 at a time and get it done with existing production parts it would be better.

Well, You could, but i would recommend using the self tuning ecm from one of their 2 barrel systems...I think holly has one also. The self tuning feature is the big deal. The engine combo you want to run would probably work best with a complete injection setup from a 454, but it will still need to be tuned.

 

[bucket]

If your wanting to stick to the budget, hassle be damned, I'd look for a donor truck with a TBI 350 to rob the harness and sensors from, or even a 4.3 should work. Then I would get an aftermarket VSS that screws into the speedo cable (to keep from messing with dash wiring and different speedos), and a 454 TB. The 454 TB uses a a different plug for the IAC valve, but you can make or buy an adapter. The linkage also doesn't have a provision for a downshift cable, so you will have to add that.

Everything I have read says that you have to run a somewhat mild cam with TBI, even with custom tuning.

 

[Jims86]

If your wanting to stick to the budget, hassle be damned, I'd look for a donor truck with a TBI 350 to rob the harness and sensors from, or even a 4.3 should work. Then I would get an aftermarket VSS that screws into the speedo cable (to keep from messing with dash wiring and different speedos), and a 454 TB. The 454 TB uses a a different plug for the IAC valve, but you can make or buy an adapter. The linkage also doesn't have a provision for a downshift cable, so you will have to add that.

Everything I have read says that you have to run a somewhat mild cam with TBI, even with custom tuning.

Yup, thats why I suggested the Eddy system, Mandatory minimums, no wire splicing from factory ****... and 4 barrels!

 

[Camo]

I saw Holley Projection system on craigslist for $350 today.

 

[GreaseDog]

There are several companies who know their way around a tbi system and can give you a good baseline tune just by telling them your combo. Tbichips and wait4me are the two that come to mind... I will be using wait4me for the tune on my daily driver 94 k1500. Its got a stock replacement vortec 350 under the stock (ultimate modded) tbi mounted to an edelbrock performer rpm intake (no egr), as they are local to me and offer a dyno tune.