TBI vs. carburetor...easy swap?

[turdmagnet]

I have a carburetor and I'm contemplating switching to TBI for the gas milage. Thing is I want to be able to easily convert it back to the carb if I want to. Would that be a fairly straightforward, simple operation to perform or do I have to rip and replace a bunch of other components to get the carb back on? I am something of a technophobe and I want to keep my '74 K5 as close to stock a possible. Failing that, I would be willing to get more computerization on board if it's not very troublesome to convert back should I decide to. Anybody?

 

[newyorkin]

Once you go to TBI, you'll probably not want to go back to carb. But if you did still want to, at least one issue would be the different fuel pressure and different fuel pumps required. TBI uses a higher pressure. I guess since you're converting and have to add an electric pump anyway, you could go with an external in-line pump that's easy to swap out, or try to find a regulator with a wide psi range that covers both.

The throttle body doesn't fit a carb bore, either, so you'd probably be better off using an adapter plate to mount it rather than swapping the intake if you want the option to go back fairly quickly (swapping intakes is another option, assuming you have pre-87 heads).

I'm converting my '85 carb'd truck to TBI, but I'm using in a TBI motor, so I haven't read much on converting a carb'd motor to TBI. If you're using a stock ECM from a TBI vehicle, then you'll have to figure out what sensors you're going to be without, and get a new prom or reprogram the existing prom for the computer.

Quick google pulls up this page with some pretty good info on TBI:
http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/tbi.html

A search in the Garage will probably pull up a lot more, including what kind of problems to expect.

 

[dbabicky]

Another option, depending on what you want to spend, I installed a Howell TBI on my 81 CJ-5 with a 304 V-8. Pretty easy. The TBI kit included everything you needed except the intake. I put an Edelbrock performer on it, but at the time the kit was about $1200.00. No clue how much now. Well worth it though. Holley also makes their projection kit which is much more tunable. More money though.

 

[dyeager535]

Why would you want to?

Not trying to be smart or anything, but go one way or the other. Figure TBI out, or stick with a carb. There is no point in wanting both. You've got fuel system and distributors that don't work with either system, so don't waste money trying to make it. Just make the TBI work right, and fix it when it stops working right.

If you are that worried about it, stick with all stock parts so parts availability isn't a problem.

 

[K5dreamer]

I agree, if you swap to fuel injection, the likelyhood that youll go back is slim. Dont get me wrong, i also dont like the idea of computers on my rig, and if i put a 4L80E in mine, it will be full manual valvebody with a switch for the lockup converter to avoid installing an expensive, and prone to failure computer.

however, the fuel injection over a carb will net better fuel economy, and they are better for offroading in regard to fuel delivery at high angles. no floats to drain, no stalling the truck on the side of a mountain, and trying to coast it down dead stick with no fuel, no power steering, and no power brakes. the computers on the TBI systems are pretty robust, my RS camaro was totalled in car accidents four times, and it would still fire up. in fact when i junked the camaro, i kept as much of the TBI stuff as possible because it still works, i have no idea what ill use it for. but no sense in throwing away good parts right

Youll have a hassle of running a wireing harness, figuring out how and where to mount the computer, and sorting out the bugs, but the payoff will be worth it. and i really dont see you wanting to go back to carb afterwords. but hey, thats just me.