1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

franky69c10 · 02-27-2007, 11:32 PM

I POSTED THIS IN THE "ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN" THREAD ALSO..

Just Want To Know How Hard Will It Be hard To Put A 87 Tbi Motor And Trans In A 69 C10......... To Keep It Tbi....if So Has Anyone Done This And Can U Post Some Info.., Would The Wiring Harness Be Hard..

The Reason Im Asking Cuz I Just Picked Up A 87 Tbi C10 Longbed For Cheap..... I Wanna Swap The 5lug To My 69 C10 And The Motor And Trans..

Rascal_one2001 · 02-27-2007, 11:37 PM

My brother and I did it with a tbi 454 from a burban. all you need to do is use the wireing harness from the tbi vehicle. I dont know what to do about the gauges or if they will hook right up we did a custom dash and gauge setup on it.

franky69c10 · 02-27-2007, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rascal_one2001

My brother and I did it with a tbi 454 from a burban. all you need to do is use the wireing harness from the tbi vehicle. I dont know what to do about the gauges or if they will hook right up we did a custom dash and gauge setup on it.

so would i have to use all the wiring harness from that motor or the whole harness from the truck....anything else

extd56 · 02-28-2007, 01:02 AM

Give these guys a call.

http://www.howellefi.com/shop/customer/home.php

They sell just what you need to get the job done.

jimmydean · 02-28-2007, 01:46 AM

You need the wire harness for the engine and the box. You will need to supply power to the box, but I think that's about it. I am also not sure about the gauges, but you can always go with a nice Autometer setup.

franky69c10 · 02-28-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmydean

You need the wire harness for the engine and the box. You will need to supply power to the box, but I think that's about it. I am also not sure about the gauges, but you can always go with a nice Autometer setup.

thanks guys

just one stupid question, what box are you talking about...

BarryB · 02-28-2007, 07:30 PM

The computer, AKA - "box".

BarryB · 02-28-2007, 07:33 PM

the guages are on another harness so why not combine the two. and your factory guages would work. Might have to use the old sending units.

extd56 · 02-28-2007, 09:02 PM

You can also buy a box from Howell along with all the wiring needed to run the TBI.

**clay68c10** · 02-28-2007, 09:06 PM

If you want to use the original TBI harness you will have to cut and splice a bit. I just finished this conversion and it was pretty easy. If you are experienced with auto electricity you can handle it, if not buy a pre-made harness. If you do decide to use the factory TBI harness, BUY A GOOD WIRING DIAGRAM! I got a factory used diagram from ebay for $35, it was totally worth it. If you ever have trouble with any of it later, you'll already have it.

You can keep all your original gauges, just use the old senders. If you can't find a port large enough on the TBI motor for your temp sender, someone on the board was selling a smaller thread size sender for our gauges. The oil line is just a matter of the right threaded adapter.

I didn't use the TBI donor's alternator, my internally regulated alt keeps up ok so far, and the amp gauge works the same.

I would definitely grab the 12v buss bar on the firewall regardless of what harness you use, it is WAY better than the stock one on our trucks. It has about 6 large terminals to run all your non-starter voltage distribution.

The only part I don't have experience with are the trans controls, my donor had a non-electronic TH400. But the lockup trans stuff is in the wiring diagram I have and it doesn't look too complicated.

72freak · 02-28-2007, 09:43 PM

I used the engine. motor mounts, stands, tranny, exhaust, front harness, engine harness and rear harness. All I had to do was splice in the dash stuff and I was good to go. VERY EASY. I went from an 89 Suburban directlyt into a 72

franky69c10 · 03-01-2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72freak

I used the engine. motor mounts, stands, tranny, exhaust, front harness, engine harness and rear harness. All I had to do was splice in the dash stuff and I was good to go. VERY EASY. I went from an 89 Suburban directlyt into a 72

so u think i should just use most of the 87 harness like the motor and some if the dash harness....

bhunt31 · 03-01-2007, 12:35 AM

you'll have to use the engine harness to hook up to all the necessary sensors and such on the engine to run to the computer to control the fuel injection. Then splice the guage wires into your existing guages in the dash of your truck.

franky69c10 · 03-01-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhunt31

you'll have to use the engine harness to hook up to all the necessary sensors and such on the engine to run to the computer to control the fuel injection. Then splice the guage wires into your existing guages in the dash of your truck.

ok thanks , the reason im asking alot of question's cuz i want to get it right, dpont want to mess nothing up....

so off the 87 guage wires splice them into my 69 guage's wire's to make them work..

bhunt31 · 03-01-2007, 01:11 AM

I understand, if you don't get it right the first time, you'll fight with it and kick yourself forever. Yeah, the guages should work if you splice into the existing wiring. You can also use the sending units in the engine that the truck had originally...i.e. oil pressure sending unit on the top of the back of the block and the water temp sending unit in the head with the original wiring if you would rather do it that way instead of splicing, just get the original sending units for your truck and put them in the new engine hook them up and go, but the computer wiring harness will have to be used to run to the computer for the fuel injection to work.

72freak · 03-01-2007, 08:37 AM

Above is correct..........use as much of the donor harness as you can!!!!!
I only had issues with the volt/amp guage swap.
You will need to save the speedo cable set up.....i think if i remember you will need parts from both!?!?!?!

franky69c10 · 03-01-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72freak

Above is correct..........use as much of the donor harness as you can!!!!!
I only had issues with the volt/amp guage swap.
You will need to save the speedo cable set up.....i think if i remember you will need parts from both!?!?!?!

ok thanks

02-27-2007, 11:32 PM	#1
franky69c10 chevy runs deep Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PHOENIX AZ Posts: 1,074	1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info I POSTED THIS IN THE "ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN" THREAD ALSO.. Just Want To Know How Hard Will It Be hard To Put A 87 Tbi Motor And Trans In A 69 C10......... To Keep It Tbi....if So Has Anyone Done This And Can U Post Some Info.., Would The Wiring Harness Be Hard.. The Reason Im Asking Cuz I Just Picked Up A 87 Tbi C10 Longbed For Cheap..... I Wanna Swap The 5lug To My 69 C10 And The Motor And Trans.. Last edited by franky69c10; 02-27-2007 at 11:34 PM.

02-27-2007, 11:37 PM	#2
Rascal_one2001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 308	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info My brother and I did it with a tbi 454 from a burban. all you need to do is use the wireing harness from the tbi vehicle. I dont know what to do about the gauges or if they will hook right up we did a custom dash and gauge setup on it. __________________ 1985 1500 454, 4l80e, 12 bolt, 5/6 drop, 20s

02-28-2007, 01:02 AM	#4
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info Give these guys a call. http://www.howellefi.com/shop/customer/home.php They sell just what you need to get the job done.

02-28-2007, 01:46 AM	#5
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info You need the wire harness for the engine and the box. You will need to supply power to the box, but I think that's about it. I am also not sure about the gauges, but you can always go with a nice Autometer setup. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

02-28-2007, 07:30 PM	#7
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info The computer, AKA - "box".

02-28-2007, 07:33 PM	#8
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info the guages are on another harness so why not combine the two. and your factory guages would work. Might have to use the old sending units.

02-28-2007, 09:02 PM	#9
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info You can also buy a box from Howell along with all the wiring needed to run the TBI.

02-28-2007, 09:06 PM	#10
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,956	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info If you want to use the original TBI harness you will have to cut and splice a bit. I just finished this conversion and it was pretty easy. If you are experienced with auto electricity you can handle it, if not buy a pre-made harness. If you do decide to use the factory TBI harness, BUY A GOOD WIRING DIAGRAM! I got a factory used diagram from ebay for $35, it was totally worth it. If you ever have trouble with any of it later, you'll already have it. You can keep all your original gauges, just use the old senders. If you can't find a port large enough on the TBI motor for your temp sender, someone on the board was selling a smaller thread size sender for our gauges. The oil line is just a matter of the right threaded adapter. I didn't use the TBI donor's alternator, my internally regulated alt keeps up ok so far, and the amp gauge works the same. I would definitely grab the 12v buss bar on the firewall regardless of what harness you use, it is WAY better than the stock one on our trucks. It has about 6 large terminals to run all your non-starter voltage distribution. The only part I don't have experience with are the trans controls, my donor had a non-electronic TH400. But the lockup trans stuff is in the wiring diagram I have and it doesn't look too complicated. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ Last edited by clay68c10; 02-28-2007 at 11:12 PM.

02-28-2007, 09:43 PM	#11
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info I used the engine. motor mounts, stands, tranny, exhaust, front harness, engine harness and rear harness. All I had to do was splice in the dash stuff and I was good to go. VERY EASY. I went from an 89 Suburban directlyt into a 72 Last edited by 72freak; 02-28-2007 at 09:43 PM.

03-01-2007, 12:35 AM	#13
bhunt31 krazy hillbilly from Kentucky Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Paris, IL Posts: 121	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info you'll have to use the engine harness to hook up to all the necessary sensors and such on the engine to run to the computer to control the fuel injection. Then splice the guage wires into your existing guages in the dash of your truck. __________________ 1969 Chevy CST/10 "Old School lives and breathes in the heart of a chosen few " 1984 Chevy C10 Silverado "Life, Liberty, and Ford's Pursuit of Chevy taillights" You say "Obsessed with my trucks" like it's a bad thing

03-01-2007, 01:11 AM	#15
bhunt31 krazy hillbilly from Kentucky Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Paris, IL Posts: 121	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info I understand, if you don't get it right the first time, you'll fight with it and kick yourself forever. Yeah, the guages should work if you splice into the existing wiring. You can also use the sending units in the engine that the truck had originally...i.e. oil pressure sending unit on the top of the back of the block and the water temp sending unit in the head with the original wiring if you would rather do it that way instead of splicing, just get the original sending units for your truck and put them in the new engine hook them up and go, but the computer wiring harness will have to be used to run to the computer for the fuel injection to work. __________________ 1969 Chevy CST/10 "Old School lives and breathes in the heart of a chosen few " 1984 Chevy C10 Silverado "Life, Liberty, and Ford's Pursuit of Chevy taillights" You say "Obsessed with my trucks" like it's a bad thing

03-01-2007, 08:37 AM	#16
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: 1987 Tbi Motor Into A 69c10...need Info Above is correct..........use as much of the donor harness as you can!!!!! I only had issues with the volt/amp guage swap. You will need to save the speedo cable set up.....i think if i remember you will need parts from both!?!?!?!



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