From carb to 87TBI
 

Hi all. I am new here and had a question. I have a '77 Chevy shortbox stepside (a,t,c, dual tanks, factory buckets, 8/10in. rallies, suede black, blue int., 305-2bbl-DAWG, pics to come) and was wondering how hard a swap it would be to take the drivetrain out of my '87 suburban (350-TBI-700R4) and stuff it into the shortbox. I know physically its an easy R+R, but just wondering about the computer and its wiring. Can a person put an inline fuel pump in the fuel lines or does one have to put a pump in the tank?
I have been driving the square bodies since I got my license in '78 and wouldn't drive anything else. Love the fully loaded 79/80's!!
I have seen many amazing trucks and projects here and I am sure this swap has been done a few times here so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks in advance for any advice, tips or whatever!!!!

Re: From carb to 87TBI
 

its pretty easy from what ive read here, you will have to add the cats etc, but as long as youre patient with it it should go easy enough.. I hope those who have actually done the swap will c hime in with their tips tho

Re: From carb to 87TBI
 

I just did that swap. It was easier for me to go ahead and use an aftermarket harness (www.fuelinjectionconnection.com has a really nice piece- $245), but I used an '87 tank and in tank pump, mainly because I already had it. An inline fuel pump shouldn't be a problem, though. The FIC harness deletes the smog equipment, simplifying the installation. I haven't had a chance to put many miles on my truck yet, so there may be a few small items needing attention. I used a VSS from Jags That Run (JTR) to simplify that part of the swap, and keep my original instrument cluster.

Re: From carb to 87TBI
 

Well, I just bought another '80 Silverado (for parts) today with a/t/c/350-t400. Body by rust! I might just swap out the 350 w/t-400 instead, just for ease of towing more projects around as I don't have a dually ready yet!!
My '77 stepside is just a summer toy, drive to work, haul stuff to the dump, so i don't use it for long hiway hauls, just yet anyways....
Not sure yet which route to go...OH, the decisions one has to make...haha!!!
Thanks a lot for the info guys. I do appreciate it.