carb or fuel injection?

[70K10Hunter]

I just can't decide which to go with, if I go with a carb which one, as for reliability/performance. If I go fuel inj. again which is best as for the above mentioned reasons? called the chevy dealer to find out when they stopped putting the TBI system on rigs,the chevy tech told me to probably stay away from the TBI unless I go with an aftermarket system, then they came out with the vortec engine which is as I was told better performance and better fuel economy. I have an 08 Z/71 4x4 with a 6.0l LS engine which has even another fuel system on it. Now I am really liking my 08 but to do that change over is just too costly on my budget right now. I will be using the truck mostly for hunting/driving mountain roads and a little offroading.

[Redcap]

Whats your budget like?

[obijuan]

TBI is the cheapest, simplest design, and high parts availability out there. 87 to like 90 something. those trucks are still running great, some with 200k on em.

[ssapach]

I had a 4.3 TBI in my 1984 Toyota. I would take the TBI over a carb engine anyday for off-road use.

I had a 1979 Chev with a carb'd 350 a while back, it would stall out quite often on any sharp inclines of off camber roads. You had to keep on the throttle all the time to keep it from dying, but the TBI never skips a beat.....even for a 20 year old unit.

[Mr. 250r]

Fuel injection.

I loved the tbi 350 in my suburban, couldn't have asked for more from it

[andrewmp6]

They do make off road carbs now that don't lean out when wheeling hard like most normal ones.For cheap efi i would look at the tpi off a 3rd gen f body its cheap to get and works fine on a stock engine.

[70K10Hunter]

I will check to see what a system cost. Do these fuel systems require a computer? if so is there any threads that cover a hookup in one of these trucks? has anybody installed it on the early trucks?

[ssapach]

The TBI from my old Toyota has an ECM. I just used a Painless wiring harness for it though. It was practically plug and play, of course the wiring harness was a little pricey.

[SunSoaked]

When I took the plunge from Carb to FI, I skipped right over TBI and went to port injection. My thought was and still is, if your gonna upgrade, dont go halfway. I paid around $2K for my edelbrock pro-flow around 5-6 years ago. Pricey yes, but its a complete stand alone system with manifold, computer and its own "laptop like tuner". It uses standard GM parts and can be swapped from engine to engine.

The difference between a "wet flow" TBI and a "dry flow" Port injection is nothing short of amazing. The throttle response isn't even in the same ballpark.

I haven't looked into it lately, but I'm sure there are lots of systems out there and would think the price has come down (at least somewhat).

[jgammill]

TBI, I changed from carb to it and it's a world of difference. More power, better response, idles perfect when cold and runs good at angles. By far the cheapest way to go. I bought a entire 1988 chevy pickup for $300. Stripped the harnes and put it all in. Already had the computer and everything you need. I had the motor running in the origial pickup and started cutting off what I didn't need on the harness. I fought my buddies about thinking my carb did really well off road, and it did for a carb, but no where near as good as efi. Wish I would have made the change along time ago.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I would at least go TBI if not TPI off the sports cars like camaros and firebirds. Could also look into doing a vortec swap as well if you wanted. Just depends on how much time and money you got and want to use. Sounds like its gonna be a sweet build though can't wait to hear more and see some pics

[Redcap]

If you are going to go to the trouble and expense of EFI, port injection is the way to go.

[70K10Hunter]

OK just checked out Summit racing, holy cow!!!the complete efi systems pretty much start at $2800 and just keep going up. Waaaay too expensive for what I want. If I am going to spend that kind of money I will just go with the LS setup. also just checked the local want adds a guy has a complete TBI setup for $500 it is supposed to come with everything including computer cruise control etc. etc.
Should I buy it???

[70K10Hunter]

Hey Sunsoaked!! are you using that system on your build?

[SunSoaked]

Yes-

Its on my 305 that was in my Elky previously. With torquer heads and roller cam its as stout as a stock 350. However, I'll just run it until I get all the bugs worked out of my truck then swap it over to a 383 when it goes in for paint. Probably run a 700r4/divorced 205 until I locate a NV4500.

I hate waiting on anything, but sometimes money (or lack of) leaves me no chioce

[Gregs71]

I believe Chevy / GMC stopped making TBI units in 1995 with 96 being the first year of Vortec. Not sure what is different but my 95 runs smoother and better response than my 89 and both are TBI.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Originally Posted by Gregs71

I believe Chevy / GMC stopped making TBI units in 1995 with 96 being the first year of Vortec. Not sure what is different but my 95 runs smoother and better response than my 89 and both are TBI.

94-95 used a newer PCM with faster processing speed and more resolution on the fuel and spark tables, thus it runs smoother. Also has capability for electronic transmission control.

[Clrussell]

I run a tune port set up off a camero with some upgraded parts and I love it! The throttle response is great and it'll prolly run upside down for a few seconds. The best part about the tune port is aftermarket support, if you have a stock engine you can just run the stock tune port, or if you have something like mine you can run bigger parts and custom tuning and still meet the needs of your engine.. The tune port is more work, but worth it in every way! And it looks pretty awesome too!
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[MalibuSSwagon]

If you are unfamiliar and maybe a little intimidated by the wiring aspect, here is what I would do:

87 to 95 trucks have TBI

Grab the TBI throttle body complete, all sensors, brackets, and the distributor and coil. If you have a 350 get the throttle body, Knock sensor, and ECM out of a 350 truck. All other sensors interchange.

Fuel injection connection sells inexpensive harnesses for conversions. 245 shipped gets you a harness for a 87 - 92 TBI system conversion. Pretty cheap. If youre a cheap bastard like me you can buy a junkyard harness for 25 and strip it down and re-pin for standalone. Saves you money for other things.

You don't even need to take off the manifold, just remove your 4 barrel and put an adapter plate on top. there should be an extra threaded boss the right size for the CTS in the manifold.

Its a great conversion, I put a TPI on my truck and love, little more cash outlay for the TPI however.

[70K10Hunter]

So what do you guys think? should I buy the TBI setup I mentioned in post #13 it's been a few days and nobody has bought it yet.

[70K10Hunter]

just checked again it is out of an 89 burb, whatta ya know? I already have a tank and fuelpump out of an 89.
MalibuSSwagon: should I pass on the TBI setup I mentioned and get something a little newer? Does the 94/95 PCM plug into the 89 harness?
just want to get the most bang for the buck. and yes I am a cheap bastard too.

[MTCK]

EFI is great. I love it but it takes some work and or $$$ to get it just right. There is a thread in the 73-87 section on tbi swaps that you should read if you decide to go that route. Pay attention to the fuel delivery system, ignition and vss. Good luck.
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[70K10Hunter]

thanks will do.

[MalibuSSwagon]

What does that 500 get you? If its a complete running engine and all wiring and harness, yea go for it. If its just the tbi and harness, no way, you can pick up the stuff you need to convert an engine you already have for 100 or less from the u pull it.

[special-K]

I'd run a carb with a fuel regulator. That's all you need.