how hard to put a tbi in a 77 c10?

[solomon93]

Hi, I have a 77 Chevy c10 with a 350 that overheated. I live in Cali and have to smog. I found a local 350 tbi from a 94. How difficult will it be to install and smog? Or should I bolt my manifolds and carburetor on it? Thanks

[nekkidhillbilly]

you have to smog it? do you have to the old carb engine. should be the same as adding a 87 engine in a 86.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

It is a bit annoying to get past the smog Nazi's, but easily doable.

How long till you have to smog it again?

If immediately have to do it I would carb the engine. If you have some time then I would do the TBI swap.

[nekkidhillbilly]

what year does cali stopped smogging i wouldnt think a 77 had much equipment.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

75.

[nekkidhillbilly]

that sucks.

[KrazyRay]

You can use the tbi engine, but you need to remove the intake manifold and put your intake and all of your other smog garbage on the newer engine. You have to oblong out the middle manifold bolt holes for the carb intake to bolt up to the tbi heads.

[kalbert]

I thought you could upgrade to a newer engine as long as it retained the original euipment, is from the same class of vehicle, and passed the requirements for the model year of the new one? Seems like there was some hassle to it and a certificate needs to be notarized confirming the vehicle had a transplant and should be govererned by a newer set of regulation. You can go newer but not older, and not from a different class of vehicle?

[solomon93]

Thanks for the input! I looked at the engine today and it appears to have an aftermarket intake manifold so I don't see the point in trying to smog and certify the tbi. It may have a cam, I really hope not. Is 400$ a fair price for used tbi in good shape? And can I do anything to the heads such as shave and port or is it not worth it? Thank you so much! Oh and I still have the overheated engine so I have alll the equipment and carb. Thanks again!

[Greenlee]

If you search around on here there is a long thread somewhere on converting an older truck to TBI. There is enough info there to keep you reading for hours. Search for Rfmaster. He posts a lot of good information in that thread.

[KrazyRay]

You can use the tbi setup in a 77, but its a nightmare to deal with the smog referee here in CA to get that elusive BAR sticker. You then must meet the smog requirements of the year of your engine (87-94 tbi).

[solomon93]

Well I guess I'll run carbureted for now. How much is the tbi and an edelbrock performer intake worth? Is 400 a fair price for a used remanufactured tbi?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

If you get the TBI running you could easily find a shop to look the other way on the visual part. It does take a few bucks, and a few shop may not even ask if it passes function anyways.

Getting the BAR sticker takes a few weeks, and 5 trips to a few places. It is just annoying.

Swap the tbi, and do not look back

[rexrandom]

In my county (Lake), you only smog on transfer of ownership.....

[solomon93]

I know I can find a shop to do it but fact is, I'm gonna sell the truck eventually and don't want the hassle of the buyer comin back to me when it fails smog on them. How much power will I lose goig carbureted?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

None unless you are taking TPI or any other individual runner manifold.

TBI just has ease of starting, and maintenance going for it.