TBI Mods:Snake oil or worthwhile??? Updated 5/19/12 AFPR and Pod Spacer!!!

[Burbdood 74]

I may rebuild my TBI as well since I have to replace the intake gasket anyway. I have new injectors, but I have no idea how bad the rest of the unit is.

If a guy isn't careful, I could, "might as well" myself into a new 454......

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

I've contemplated a chip, but I'll probably wait until I do some motor upgrades down the road.

definitely better to wait on the chip.

Brian can burn a VERY specific chip for you!

 

[smier]

I finally got around to an update on some of this (new info and pics on page 1)... I finally installed the High-flow cat and I replaced my flowmaster cat-back setup today, it was 6 years old and starting to show some rust around the welds on the muffler that looked like it would bust thru really soon so I figured it was the perfect time to replace it. The new cat must be 50 pounds lighter than the original cat, and you can see thru it so it's got to flow at least a little bit better than the stock one. The Magnaflow cat and the flowmaster 50 series muffler gave the truck a nice subtle rumble cruising thru my quiet neighborhood, but when you get on it she sounds awesome!!! The truck is running better than ever, and I'm looking forward to moving on to installing the fuel pressure guage, Pod Spacer, and the adjustable fuel pressure regulator soon. This is taking a bit longer than I thought it would due to everything going on right now, but its been good stress relief, especially busting out the sawzall to cut the old cat off. I wanted to save it in case I ran into any trouble down the road with the emissions crowd, but that thing wasn't going to break free even after heating it with a torch. I spent way too much time trying to save that cat, it was plugged up pretty good, so it wasnt really worth saving anyway... More updates and more pics to follow!!!

 

[Slapperbar]

You'll be ok with the cat. I have a catco one in my set up.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

List the Cat on Craigslist and someone will buy it. Junkers love 'em. Got $30 for the little one off my Tracker.

 

[smier]

List the Cat on Craigslist and someone will buy it. Junkers love 'em. Got $30 for the little one off my Tracker.

Yeah, they're worth some coin, I gave it to my buddy that came over to help me today... he scraps all kind of stuff and could use the $$$.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Cool.

 

[y5mgisi]

This is a good thread. Cant wait to read more!

 

[swettysblazer]

Could you post a pic of your truck where the exhaust exits? I've gotta redo mine

 

[smier]

I get some pics of it installed later today and add them to the first page... The flowmaster kit is setup to exit just behind the drivers side rear tire, same place as the stock exhaust from the factory, and uses the exact same hanger mounts.

 

[sweetk30]

those old 70's-80's style pancake cats were a ball style cat. not a newer style honey comb high flow like we are use to seeing now.

thay were a frigin tank yes. and the newer style is much better.

 

[smier]

Well, I've put about 70 miles on so far since I installed the new cat and exhaust, so far so good. It definately seems to have helped, especially cruising down the interstate at high speeds. When I bought this thing it had trouble getting to 85 mph, now it gets there with ease!!! The truck seems to run so much more effortlessly than when I started on this project. I also noticed its idleing a bit smoother and when warmed up it seems to idle at a bit lower rpm than before...I don't have a tach, so I'm going off of what I can hear. I'm wondering if my old cat was clogged up more than I realized? I have to say I don't have any regrets so far, and would do it all over again. I think I've got a pretty good setup that should definately work well when the day comes to upgrade to a better motor!!!

 

[smier]

Pulled the trigger on a Softtopper tonight... Black with dark tinted windows, I've wanted a soft top since I bought this thing 6 years ago. I can't wait!!!

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Nice. Want one sooooo bad.

 

[ccarley]

Reading this thread convinced me to pick up a TBI spacer.

I went ahead and ordered one from Jeg's the other day, as well as the fuel line spacers. Ordered a new 700R4 cable too, since mine is jacked. PO quality work; cable is wrapped around the throttle arm...

I always keep track of my fuel mileage, so I'll be able to see if it helps pretty quickly.

I am curious though. It's been mentioned that the Edelbrock TBI intake doesn't do much; now, I'm sure it doesn't help HP at all, but has anyone tried one in the pursuit of low end torque & fuel mileage? With my heavy Sub, torque is key, and mileage dosen't hurt either.

Clay

 

[smier]

Post up your results!!! That's the whole point of this thread, I was hoping all my messing around would be useful to someone else possibly down the road. I just did the ultimate weight reduction modification to my Blazer...

We'll see if it helps, hahaha!!! I love the soft top from Softopper!!! I opted for the tinted windows, I figure its easy enough to break in now, I don't want my stuff out in plain view...

 

[MT86K5]

Looks good, now you have to change your avatar.

 

[smier]

I forgot to update on my new magnaflow cat and flowmaster exhaust, This truck is loud since I put the new honeycomb style straight-thru cat on! It sounds awesome, but this combo is a little louder than I had hoped for. It's hard to keep my foot out of it, it sounds really mean when you get on it. Between running the newly rebulit AC and running around with the top down the past 3 days i averaged 15.38 mpg around town this last tank.
I'm not sure if I'll get around to installing the new Adjustable fuel pressure regulator and pod spacer before I head out on my road trip. I really want to, but its getting to be crunchtime. Maybe I'll install them while I'm in N'awlins' and it's almost a 100* and 100% humidity...
I really should rotate the tires before I head out, she's got fresh oil, all new filters, new brakes, etc... She's almost ready, its 1225.3 miles one way according to google maps. I'm shooting to average 18 mpg or better on the highway, and I think I can do it, but I may have to do some high speed drafting!!!

 

[Slapperbar]

Put the pod spacer in, it will help.

 

[shady]

I just got done with a tbi spacer, new ignition system, and salad bowl on my 88 burb and so far it seems that I made things worseIt pulls hard at around 3000 rpm but everything under that (like shift points) dogs out. I want more lower end which I thought I'd get. Guess its back to the drawing board. It does seem to cruise at 35 mph a lot better, but I havent had it on the highway yet. Pod spacer and adjustable regulator may be in the future (already have the pod spacer). Headers or rams horns might help too We'll see... i may grow to like what I've got. Still need to check timing and regap the plugs too.