78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

eaglelox · 10-01-2008, 09:08 AM

would like to get better gas mileage, was wondering what trany i could upgrade to. maybe a t400, is there a trany that has 5 speeds. i do still tow a trailer with it.

also thinking about fuel injection instead of my 1406.

what about ram air instead of a centered air filter.

any help would be appreciated. thank you.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 10-01-2008, 03:49 PM

A 700r4 tranny would give you OD which would help some what. If you want to do a F.I swap that would defiantly help out too its up too you on what you want to do and how much money you got.

eaglelox · 10-01-2008, 08:22 PM

made a deal with the wife. hehehe. can you suggest a efi system that works well with my older burb. oh and thank you

**Captkaos** · 10-02-2008, 02:31 PM

The best and simplest EFI would be the factory TBI setup offered on the 87-91 Suburbans and 87-95 pickup, Suburban and Blazers.

Give us and idea on how much money you are talking about spending.

The biggest improvement would be from the OD transmission depending on what your rear gear ratio is.

eaglelox · 10-02-2008, 07:20 PM

well at tax time il have about 5-7 grand im gona put into it. looks like a 700r4, a part time 4x4 kit for the transfer case, and the efi. i am not sure of my gears, seems like it is more for the highway. not real high rpm's at 70-80 mph. i would like to do it myself but dont know much about EFI. would like to get a plug and play if possible.

streetstar · 10-02-2008, 07:46 PM

My '88 Blazer, 350 TBI with 700 r4 gets 15 mpg on the highway at 75-80 mph.

I would expect 16 at more reasonable throttle levels. Considering my new F150 only gets 15 itself, i was tickled pink with the old Blaze.

If you have 5k to spend, you could buy a dang nice 87 -91 Blazer or Suburban if you looked around --- if you are sentimental about yours, just transfer everything to yours and sell the rest for parts

eaglelox · 10-02-2008, 08:33 PM

would i be able to swap it over with out all the smog crap. does a 87-91 drop into my 78. thanks for the info

just found this, could be the way to go.

1987 Chevy Suburban 4x4, has Cad 500 motor (no smog equip) auto, new headliner, fairly new tires, runs good, ready to tow. Will take $1,500 or cash/trade.

msgross · 10-02-2008, 09:05 PM

buy a used Camry like I did...(30mpg) keep the burb for towing

spudz · 10-02-2008, 11:38 PM

suburban 4x4 AND economy.......huh,.....never knew those two could go together lol... jk Seriously, spend 3k on a honda or saturn or something....

eaglelox · 10-03-2008, 08:43 AM

im not much for being eye level with all the 80 mph bumpers out there. would rather do some building on my baby. just love this truck, drives great, hasnt broke a thing in about 5 years, if had new cars that didnt do as well. is not like im down grading her. all these changes will make her run better and make me happy. when i pull up to the kids school, we have the biggest/ugliest burb and we love it. naw, little cars not for me.

besides, if i got a small car i would still drive my burb, and she would still need new gear. hehehehe

msgross · 10-03-2008, 11:06 AM

why not get a genIII engine out of a new burb and install then? Lots of guys do it and I bet your looking at that dollar amount.

**Captkaos** · 10-03-2008, 11:35 AM

For 5-7G's buy a 5.3L/4L60E or a 6.0L/4L80E out of a newer 3/4T truck along with the harness and ECM and transplant it. It will be more efficient, make more power and it will be EFI...

kevinr1970 · 10-03-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

For 5-7G's buy a 5.3L/4L60E or a 6.0L/4L80E out of a newer 3/4T truck along with the harness and ECM and transplant it. It will be more efficient, make more power and it will be EFI...

For 5-7 G's why not just buy a complete late model Tahoe or Suburban?
Look around, these "gas guzzlers" are way down on price right now. The big dealers are still clinging to the higher prices, but if you look somewhere like Autotrader.com you will see the private party sellers are almost giving them away. The dealers are offering pennies on the dollar in trade so a lot of people are selling for cash for around the same amount as the trade. This gives them a little more leverage going in with a fist full of cash even if its only enough for their down payment.

Keep your baby and and bring her back to her former glory (and then some!) as time and more $ allows.

eaglelox · 10-03-2008, 12:30 PM

i think you may be right. more work but alot more for the bang. if i find the right color i could get some cool seats. would like to know i i will have to fab a new trany mount to do this. are there sites that i can get some help on some of the transferring. im used to the pretty straight forward mechanics of my rig. will it be possible i can do this myself, iv seen picks of miles and miles of harness and wires, a little intimidating to me. hehehe . the efi edelbrock pro flow system, seems easier but it is also the price of a sweet parts burban. i just dont know. gona talk to some friends that may be able to help. the mechanics parts dont bother me it just all that dam electrical stuff.

kicks self in ass, my sister wrecked her Tahoe and it was scraped and offered back to her for 1000. was the right color too. frame was bent with so little damage.

msgross · 10-03-2008, 05:30 PM

I was thinking about the later Tahoe's as well. You can find 98ish + tahoes online for less than 8K. I have a 2005 Tahoe and get 16mpg overall, about 15 city and 19 highway! With the amount of help online and places that will build you a new harness I wouldn't be afraid to do the swap. The 4WD part of the deal might be a little more comlicated and new driveshafts will most likely be needed...

Here you go $1299 for a 2005 tahoe engine http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AVALA...mZ250302083712

79blazer · 10-04-2008, 02:42 AM

If you advance the timing a little more the factory specs, it could bump up 2 or 3 mpg. Make sure the mechanical advance is working properly, it is common for them to seize up.

A tuned quadrajet 4 barrel would help, get a tired one out of a salvage yard, and rebuild it. You'd need a pre 82 one, so its non computer controlled. If you get a car model one, it has smaller primaries than a truck or van, better fuel economy. Tune the primaries leanish, secondaries richer. Tuned, it should get better mileage than even a 2 barrel, if you don't get into the go petal.

I'd say if you want a lower initial cost, go with vortec heads, and a roller RV cam.

I had a edy 1406 in my Caprice that i swapped for TBI. It ran too lean, it backfired, so I put a tiny air filter to limit the air, temporarily. So you may need a "prom" chip if you engine is too different from what the TBI is used to.

tobiahr · 10-04-2008, 09:10 AM

http://muskegon.craigslist.org/cto/839269535.html
just an example of the low cost of buying a newer sub and swapping stuff out.

10-01-2008, 09:08 AM	#1
eaglelox Member Dude Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: reno,nv,usa Posts: 191	78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas would like to get better gas mileage, was wondering what trany i could upgrade to. maybe a t400, is there a trany that has 5 speeds. i do still tow a trailer with it. also thinking about fuel injection instead of my 1406. what about ram air instead of a centered air filter. any help would be appreciated. thank you. __________________ Steve 1978 K20 Burb, 4" lift, 33's, 350 Eaglelox@Hotmail.com

10-01-2008, 03:49 PM	#2
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas A 700r4 tranny would give you OD which would help some what. If you want to do a F.I swap that would defiantly help out too its up too you on what you want to do and how much money you got. __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

10-01-2008, 08:22 PM	#3
eaglelox Member Dude Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: reno,nv,usa Posts: 191	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas made a deal with the wife. hehehe. can you suggest a efi system that works well with my older burb. oh and thank you __________________ Steve 1978 K20 Burb, 4" lift, 33's, 350 Eaglelox@Hotmail.com

10-02-2008, 02:31 PM	#4
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas The best and simplest EFI would be the factory TBI setup offered on the 87-91 Suburbans and 87-95 pickup, Suburban and Blazers. Give us and idea on how much money you are talking about spending. The biggest improvement would be from the OD transmission depending on what your rear gear ratio is. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

10-02-2008, 07:20 PM	#5
eaglelox Member Dude Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: reno,nv,usa Posts: 191	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas well at tax time il have about 5-7 grand im gona put into it. looks like a 700r4, a part time 4x4 kit for the transfer case, and the efi. i am not sure of my gears, seems like it is more for the highway. not real high rpm's at 70-80 mph. i would like to do it myself but dont know much about EFI. would like to get a plug and play if possible. __________________ Steve 1978 K20 Burb, 4" lift, 33's, 350 Eaglelox@Hotmail.com

10-02-2008, 07:46 PM	#6
streetstar Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 2,396	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas My '88 Blazer, 350 TBI with 700 r4 gets 15 mpg on the highway at 75-80 mph. I would expect 16 at more reasonable throttle levels. Considering my new F150 only gets 15 itself, i was tickled pink with the old Blaze. If you have 5k to spend, you could buy a dang nice 87 -91 Blazer or Suburban if you looked around --- if you are sentimental about yours, just transfer everything to yours and sell the rest for parts __________________ Are you retired too? Nonsense! I'm in my prime Last edited by streetstar; 10-02-2008 at 07:48 PM.

10-02-2008, 08:33 PM	#7
eaglelox Member Dude Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: reno,nv,usa Posts: 191	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas would i be able to swap it over with out all the smog crap. does a 87-91 drop into my 78. thanks for the info just found this, could be the way to go. 1987 Chevy Suburban 4x4, has Cad 500 motor (no smog equip) auto, new headliner, fairly new tires, runs good, ready to tow. Will take $1,500 or cash/trade. __________________ Steve 1978 K20 Burb, 4" lift, 33's, 350 Eaglelox@Hotmail.com Last edited by eaglelox; 10-02-2008 at 08:47 PM.

10-02-2008, 09:05 PM	#8
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas buy a used Camry like I did...(30mpg) keep the burb for towing __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

10-02-2008, 11:38 PM	#9
spudz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Branchville SC Posts: 1,647	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas suburban 4x4 AND economy.......huh,.....never knew those two could go together lol... jk Seriously, spend 3k on a honda or saturn or something.... __________________ 2004 z71, 96 z71 on 38s, 88 Chevy k5 blazer, 4in lift. 84 swb project, 82 SWB project , 84 chevy 4x4 lwb project, 88 Jimmy beater/highschool ride. 79 c30. 99 tahoe 4x4 project. and a bunch of parts trucks..

10-03-2008, 08:43 AM	#10
eaglelox Member Dude Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: reno,nv,usa Posts: 191	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas im not much for being eye level with all the 80 mph bumpers out there. would rather do some building on my baby. just love this truck, drives great, hasnt broke a thing in about 5 years, if had new cars that didnt do as well. is not like im down grading her. all these changes will make her run better and make me happy. when i pull up to the kids school, we have the biggest/ugliest burb and we love it. naw, little cars not for me. besides, if i got a small car i would still drive my burb, and she would still need new gear. hehehehe __________________ Steve 1978 K20 Burb, 4" lift, 33's, 350 Eaglelox@Hotmail.com Last edited by eaglelox; 10-03-2008 at 08:48 AM.

10-03-2008, 11:06 AM	#11
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas why not get a genIII engine out of a new burb and install then? Lots of guys do it and I bet your looking at that dollar amount. __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

10-03-2008, 11:35 AM	#12
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas For 5-7G's buy a 5.3L/4L60E or a 6.0L/4L80E out of a newer 3/4T truck along with the harness and ECM and transplant it. It will be more efficient, make more power and it will be EFI... __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

10-03-2008, 12:30 PM	#14
eaglelox Member Dude Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: reno,nv,usa Posts: 191	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas i think you may be right. more work but alot more for the bang. if i find the right color i could get some cool seats. would like to know i i will have to fab a new trany mount to do this. are there sites that i can get some help on some of the transferring. im used to the pretty straight forward mechanics of my rig. will it be possible i can do this myself, iv seen picks of miles and miles of harness and wires, a little intimidating to me. hehehe . the efi edelbrock pro flow system, seems easier but it is also the price of a sweet parts burban. i just dont know. gona talk to some friends that may be able to help. the mechanics parts dont bother me it just all that dam electrical stuff. kicks self in ass, my sister wrecked her Tahoe and it was scraped and offered back to her for 1000. was the right color too. frame was bent with so little damage. __________________ Steve 1978 K20 Burb, 4" lift, 33's, 350 Eaglelox@Hotmail.com Last edited by eaglelox; 10-03-2008 at 12:38 PM.

10-03-2008, 05:30 PM	#15
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas I was thinking about the later Tahoe's as well. You can find 98ish + tahoes online for less than 8K. I have a 2005 Tahoe and get 16mpg overall, about 15 city and 19 highway! With the amount of help online and places that will build you a new harness I wouldn't be afraid to do the swap. The 4WD part of the deal might be a little more comlicated and new driveshafts will most likely be needed... Here you go $1299 for a 2005 tahoe engine http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AVALA...mZ250302083712 __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 10-03-2008 at 05:34 PM.

10-04-2008, 02:42 AM	#16
79blazer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 136	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas If you advance the timing a little more the factory specs, it could bump up 2 or 3 mpg. Make sure the mechanical advance is working properly, it is common for them to seize up. A tuned quadrajet 4 barrel would help, get a tired one out of a salvage yard, and rebuild it. You'd need a pre 82 one, so its non computer controlled. If you get a car model one, it has smaller primaries than a truck or van, better fuel economy. Tune the primaries leanish, secondaries richer. Tuned, it should get better mileage than even a 2 barrel, if you don't get into the go petal. I'd say if you want a lower initial cost, go with vortec heads, and a roller RV cam. I had a edy 1406 in my Caprice that i swapped for TBI. It ran too lean, it backfired, so I put a tiny air filter to limit the air, temporarily. So you may need a "prom" chip if you engine is too different from what the TBI is used to. __________________ 79 Blazer Cheyenne, 2wd 305 3.42 stock 85 Caprice, TBI converted, new 350 crate motor, Monte Carlo SS Wheels, Bilstein shocks,



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10-04-2008, 09:10 AM	#17
tobiahr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 513	Re: 78 suburban 4x4, need economy ideas http://muskegon.craigslist.org/cto/839269535.html just an example of the low cost of buying a newer sub and swapping stuff out.

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