What do I need for TBI 350 engine swap?

[Dougtpg]

Hey guys,

I have my '72 C10 almost completely stripped to the chassis and starting to get some things together for the rebuild. I'm completely rebuilding my truck but on a pretty tight budget, Its an original 350 truck that but I just took a 305 out of it. I came across a pretty good deal on a decent running TBI 350 out of a 87 truck with a Turbo 400 bolted to it.

What else would I need out of that truck to do a clean swap into mine? Would it just be as simple as pulling the wiring harness and ECM and buying an inline fuel pump? I have a 600 holley carb and intake, so would it be easier/cheaper to swap the TBI to run a carb or do a bit of wiring for my truck to run the TBI?

Also, there shouldn't be any issue with running the TH400 trans in my truck, correct?

Fuel millage and emissions don't bother me, I just want a reliable engine that won't be super hard to maintain and tune, with a bit better performance than the 305.

Any input is appreciated!!

Thanks!

[summitflier]

I'm sure you'll get several opinions on this.

As for the TH400. No problem, many of these trucks came with them. I ran a TH400 in mine until a couple of weeks ago. They're bulletproof for hi performance applications, not so great on gas mileage.

It would probably be easier to switch to a carb setup. But what's the fun in that? The Throttle body will give better response and gas mileage than a carb.
Some throttle bodys set up pretty high. (I don't know which setup you have) and require a raised cowl type hood for clearance.

Simply going to an electric fuel pump doesn't always work either. Make sure you get one that specifically has enough pressure to support fuel injection.

[hugger6933]

The stock TBI would be great in the truck it does need a pump but it is a low pressure deal not like the ones for a LS swap. The TBI ran at like 12 to 14 but you do need a pump that will be for injection just a low pressure type set up. You won't need a cowl hood there not any higher than a carb and regulator intake set up. You can swap the carb but on the other hand it is not like A LS swap that will cost a grand or so ,you just need the wiring and a couple hots and grounds to run the TBI and I'm sure you could do the harness your self or buy a stand alone for a couple hundred. It won't be a world shaker but it will be better than a stock type carb set up and way reliable when going. Think of the millions of tbi trucks from 87-95. Plus some cars ran that set up as well. I say go for it. Jim

[MARKDTN]

The early TBI trucks and vans have a harness that is almost self contained. They are pretty easy to swap in. You will have to figure out SES light, power (constant and ignition), ground, VSS signal, and fuel pump wires. You can buy a VSS generator that screws onto the speedometer output of the transmission. Those TBI engines are pretty much bulletproof. I have seen some really ragged vehicles that still had no SES light when they ran. They really are simple and you can buy parts at any parts store in the country. The biggest things you need are: VSS generator, add an oxygen sensor to exhaust, and add a fuel pump. I know for a Tuned Port you can use an '88 Ford Truck pump, there is probably a Ford external pump for their TBI system as well, but you may just have to get a good parts store let you look in the catalog and find something with the right pressures to match stock. On the '72 that I put Tuned Port in, I had a gauge style cluster and I used an "oil" light that was not being used as the SES indicator. Sounds like a good swap, good luck with it.

[Katrina/10]

I put an 87 TBI engine in my 71 with fuel injection intact and I'm very happy with it.

[MARKDTN]

Just a followup on pumps. I have never done a TBI retrofit that didn't use a stock GM tank in some way with an in-tank pump. I did some research so I would know what is out there. There is a lot of disagreement out there on a proper external pump. Looks like 3 options for a pump:
1-use a GM tank with internal pump like an early TBI Blazer tank. But if you want to keep the original in-cab tank this won't work.
2-low pressure external pump. Carter P5001, Master E8094, or Walbro GSL395 seem to come up a lot.
3-high pressure pump. There seems to be a lot of people that run the '88 Ford Truck style high pressure pump that I have used for several TPI conversions. This is an Airtec E2000. You would probably have to have a 3/8 return line for this option or I believe you will overpressure the regulator. It also seems to me that a lot of people using this pump have larger injectors in the throttle body and/or are using it at a higher pressure than stock-but some claim to use this with stock TBI.

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

Just a followup on pumps. I have never done a TBI retrofit that didn't use a stock GM tank in some way with an in-tank pump. I did some research so I would know what is out there. There is a lot of disagreement out there on a proper external pump. Looks like 3 options for a pump:
1-use a GM tank with internal pump like an early TBI Blazer tank. But if you want to keep the original in-cab tank this won't work.
2-low pressure external pump. Carter P5001, Master E8094, or Walbro GSL395 seem to come up a lot.
3-high pressure pump. There seems to be a lot of people that run the '88 Ford Truck style high pressure pump that I have used for several TPI conversions. This is an Airtec E2000. You would probably have to have a 3/8 return line for this option or I believe you will overpressure the regulator. It also seems to me that a lot of people using this pump have larger injectors in the throttle body and/or are using it at a higher pressure than stock-but some claim to use this with stock TBI.

I used the 8094 external pump on mine, gives the proper TBI fuel pressure and works fine. I also was able to install a TBI pump from an 87 R10 in the stock fuel tank, but I took it out because it was noisy.

[Orange Crate]

There is a really good forum for fuel injection over at our cousins site located here:


http://coloradok5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=81

[summitflier]

Almost everyone I know that offers aftermarket gas tanks, offers them in "plain vanilla - carbureted" or "EFI type". There are at least 30 gas tank companies doing this... I have to think it's for a reason.

Someone mentioned that TBI will fit under a stock hood... most factory TBI will, but definitely not all.

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by summitflier

Almost everyone I know that offers aftermarket gas tanks, offers them in "plain vanilla - carbureted" or "EFI type". There are at least 30 gas tank companies doing this... I have to think it's for a reason.

Someone mentioned that TBI will fit under a stock hood... most factory TBI will, but definitely not all.

I agree, but the OP says he is on a tight budget. I was assuming he wanted to retain his original tank.

[Acorn]

This might help some.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=352321

[Nitis]

I could have missed this but you will also need a fuel return line

If you go with an inline pump you can still use your factory tank I believe with a sending unit for a 72 with automatic. For some reason someone on here probably knows but they have two ports on them

I Am probably going TBI as well since I have a 4x4 and dont think I can handle the extras required for a 4x4 LSx swap