Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Ok guy so i need some help im workin on my truck and i get 10 mpg i was looking around and i think i want to swap over to efi what do you guys think its going on a 1983 chevy c20 5.7l 350 the kit that i was lookin at was the EZ EFI http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FST-30227-KIT/
and then just swaping out my intake and clean up the engine a little bit .. is there a better way is this kit hard to install has anyone had experience with this kit.. how long does it take to install.. sorry for all of the questions

thanks so much
Drew

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

you could get yourself a 5.3 with tranny and harness for that much my friend that would be a nice motor with aluminum heads and 4 speed tranny cant beat that... right and you get like 22MPG!

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Yea but thats a whole engine swap alot more work than the kit anyother options

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

IMO I don't think you will get the results you want out of that kit... Search around on CL, you can find a low mileage LS motor and trans for less that the kit, and this may be a better "long term" option.

I hear those kits are decent, but if you have the time and some help think about doing the swap :)

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

I helped a friend install one and he never was happy with it. We then swapped in a 4.8 and 4l60e and he gets about 24MPG on the Hwy.!!!

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Do not waist your money on this kit (if your engine stock or even if you have RV cam) when it can be done for a lot less with OE GM parts.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=352321

//RF

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

I was looking at that same kit last night. I don't think you'll get better MPG out of FI. If you do it'd be small and the cost would out weight the gains. The reason I was thinking about it was the performance part of it. For me, it'd be alot easier to tune. I don't know carbs, I know more about FI. And it looks cool. But I got to thinking it'd be a lot cheaper to just buy a FI system off of a older IROC Z. I'm running a 383 with vortec heads so work.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Ok guys the engine swap sounds nice but i dont think it will be practical for me but.. the oe tbi sounds nice anyinfo on tht maybe i should get a new intake and carb ??

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

ok guys i like the engine idea but i dont think it is practical right now i do like the sound of the OE efi conversion idk theres alot of ideas up in the air or should i just swap new intake manifold nd carb?

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

I have owned both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton Chevy pickups - old and new, straight 6, V6, V8 (350, 454, 4.8, 5.3, etc.). Best gas mileage I got was on the 4.3L V6 - 20 city/23 hwy. in a 2000 1/2 ton long bed.
You have a 3/4 ton pickup, so you are hauling around another 1000 lbs. more than a 1/2 ton - that tends to kill gas mileage, regardless of your engine (unless some diesel setups.)
I assume that you want better gas mileage to reduce cash out of pocket expense. I would do a simple calculation:
Miles driven per year / 10 mpg avg. = gallons per year consumed.
Miles driven per year / ? mpg expected on new set up = gallons consumed.
Difference in gallons consumed X $ per gallon cost = $ saved per year.
My V8 1/2 tons got 17mpg city/21 mpg hwy - best case, driven like grandpa.
Most people I know average 14-15 mpg. overall with their new/newer 4.8 or 5.3 1/2 ton pickups - but they drive "normally".
I think if you do the calculation above you will find it makes no economic sense to try to improve gas mileage with a new fuel injection system or new engine/trans combo. If gas were $25 per gallon - maybe.
I currently have a 83 C20 454 granny 4 speed and I only drive it in the city - I get 10 city/13 hwy.
But each to his or her own. Good luck.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

What are your plans? Why do you want to do this? If you have the money and you're building a rod then hell yea go for it.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

i want it to be reliable the carb i have on there now isnt nd it sucks up alot of gas its the 800cfm quadrajet my motors stock but headers and an exhust system i just want to get a little more mpg than 10.. its my daily driver

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

OMG, pardon me, but that's your problem. That carb is WAY to big for a stock engine. The heads on that thing can possibly flow enough to process that much fuel. You're just dumping gas out the pipe. Save all your money, buy you a nice 600 cfm Edl/Holley carb and upgrade the ignition (hot coil, plugs, wires, cap and rotor). That will cost around 3-400 bucks and you'll think you have a hole new truck.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Along with that 600cfm carb im going to do a new intake manifold (any recomendations) and i was also thinking my uncle has a set of camel hump heads can i put thoes on too

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

You could try this engine computer. You would have tons of options for sensors, injectors, throttle bodies, etc....

You can buy them as a kit to assemble or already built.

http://www.msefi.com/index.php

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

If fuel economy is your main goal swapping in a 700r4 would be your best bet.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

It has the 700r4

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

have u tried this one?....friend of mine converted his jeep to GM TBI..he highly recommends this place
www.affordable-fuel-injection.com

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

ok so i think im just going to stick with a carb its cheaper .. what im thinking of doing is getting a new carb a new intake manifold and my uncle is giving me a set of camel hump heads that will be going to the machine shop for a freshing up and a valve job i think it will be more responsive and it will get a little better mpg instead of that big carb i have now? any tips on what carb and what manifold will thoes heads be good

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Just curious:

i just want to get a little more mpg than 10.. its my daily driver

What mpg are you expecting to achieve? That will determine what you should do.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

It depends on what valves they have and how much you want to spend. If it were me I'd have the heads worked first. But if you do that why not a new cam? Buy then that 600 would be too small and you'd need a 750.

So you really need to figure out what you are going to want. These pushrod v8s just aren't going to get good gas mileage if you start making more power. If you have a few grand to throw at it I’d spend some money on a top end kit like this one (http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/...oductId=760264) and I’d keep the 800. You just need to find someone that really knows how to build them. Rochesters aren’t bad, they’re just tricky.

Anyways, like I said you just really need to know what your future plans are for it. If it’s just a work truck daily driver and you want reliability and drivability I’d go with the 600 and ignition system, and save up for a 4 speed and gears.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

ok i think im going to just do the intake carb and the heads from my uncle there 202 camel hump heads.. i am going to have them sent to the machine shop to get a full valve job

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

I can get 15 MPG in the city with my 355 HP motor. A tuned carb makes a difference. However, it's a truck.

Use a dual plane intake. An Edelbrock performer works great on a stock motor. Drop the carb down to less than 650 CFM.

If you are interested in stock GM tbi FI read this article: http://users.sfo.com/~eagle/howell.html

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

But don't you have a 4speed? I thought you had a 700r4? Gears make a big difference.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

ok so im thinking about this intake
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-27011/
this carb
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-1406/?rtype=10
and the camel hump heads from my uncle

is the intake and carb a good choice or is there something better you guys recomend

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

i would recomend a holly but thats just me its a argument between alot of ppl that goes on for a life time lol

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Looks good to me, but I bet you could find them on CL and save 2-300 bucks. The polish is nice, but unless your engine bay is dressed it wont matter. Save the money and put it towards a 4sp.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Go 6.0!!!!!

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

ok my engine bay is dressed up how much extra hp u think all that will make

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

well, you have to add the N.O.S. and k&n sticker to add HP...
I thought everyone knew that.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

The truck (if I'm right) came from the factory with less then 200 hp, like 190 or something. So I couldn't guess. But I would bet you'd be able to tell. If you are looking for HP then you need to ditch the old heads and just go with that top end kit. Bang for your buck you can't beat it. But you'll get around 10mpgs.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Ok so i want to make a list of all the things i will need
-Intake
-Intake bolts
-intake gasket
-600 CFM carb
-new fuel line to replace the qjet hard line
-fuel filter
-camel hump heads
- head gasket ( which type should i buy?)
-electric fan

Am i missing anything?

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

he said he has a 700r4!

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

You don't need the head bolts. You can clean and reuse the old ones. You also want need the fan unless you just want to have one. As for the head gasket, I don't think it matters to much. It's not a high powered high compression engine. I'd buy a cheap set. You'll probably need new throttle linkage, I know I did.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Make sure that your camel hump heads have 3x accessory mounting holes. Some of the casting 186, #291, #461, #461x did not have 3x accessory mounting holes (do not remember which ones). On a side note all of these heads have (roughly) 159 to 170cc intake ports with 62 to 64cc chambers. These numbers fail in comparison to any modern SBC head designs. I would not consider (unless it is a restoration job) camels heads since performance & $ spent on ready to run heads just does not add up. For example compare RHS- Racing Head Service 12317-01 vs. what you have to spend on camel heads, machine work and parts.

I went through this camel back head fiasco few years back - wasted tons of money on old castings only to find cracks! End up purchasing three different sets with 4 heads having cracks at exhaust seats which render these castings useless. Installing hardened valve seats was a deal breaker for me. I sold the whole lot to collector-restorer. Caveat emptor!!!

//RF

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

so you dont think that the electric fan will do any good?

the camel hump heads do have the accessory holes in them there a good set my uncle said there clean no cracks just need a valve job since they have been sitting ..

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

I agree, stock 350 Vortec heads flow more air then most worked pre vortec heads unless you spend a LOT of money. But like I said, it's all in what you want to do. You could just keep the heads you have install the carb and drive it around until you saved for the top end kit. I know I keep going back to that kit, but I've seen what they can to.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

he said the heads are 202's even if its a little improvement its free right?\

so no on the electric fan

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

Free is BEST! And they will be an improvement over your stock heads. So go for it. As for the fan, in MIGHT give you a few extra ponies (1-2), but the only way or reason I'd do it is if you were going electric water pump and fuel pump. That way you take as much drag off the engine as possible. That will net you the most power, but also cost several hundred bucks. I've been looking at parts and to do all it'd be around 6-800. I just can't do it at this point and time.

Re: Ok guys new idea... EFI need help
 

A good point has been raised earlier about rear ends. If you have a 4:10 rear axle like me, you will have a hard time getting 15 mpg in a 3/4 ton. I'm just sayin' .......