the "plan" tbi swap ?? (( UPDATE )) MORE ???

[1BEATK5]

i have 2 trucks.
#1 78" k5 wheelin machine with a bad 350. it still runs but you can hear the rod knock when you lift off the throttle quickly. it only has like 279k on it. not sure why its goin out.
#2 88 v30 with a tbi 350/465 with 155k. runs excellent. no leaks, but barely makes enough power to move the truck around, and i want to tow the k5 with it. run my michelins on it, and be able to keep up with traffic.
soooo. i have been looking for a 2wd 87-91 454/465 dually for parts. they are pretty cheap, under $1500 if the body is beat. and then take the 454 out, puting it in the v30, then put the 350, hydro clutch, and hydro boost in the k5.
sounds good right?

i want to hack as little as possible on the v30. so should i change the harness, or just change the computer? i realize the possibility of some connectors being wrong, and that there are adapters available if i use the 350 harness. but is it really that easy? or does the fact that it has a 465 trans make it easy? would an 87-88 truck be the better canidate?
i'm probably not going with fi on the k5 yet. i was thinking of slappin a carb on it and running it as is for now. i have the gearing to make the lack of power work, as my current 350 probably made 260hp when it was younger.
pic whore on

 

[dave w]

I live near by, Vancouver WA.

I have a few post that might be worth taking a look at.

R.I.P. '7747 http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270253

454 MPFI http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253871
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254023

TBI Test Bench http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266439

I think the '427 computer upgrade with the 454 / SM465 is one good way to go. Then again, the MPFI 454 would be the BEST option because the '427 computer upgrade could also be used with the current wiring harness and MPFI!


dave w

 

[eagle mark]

Just put the big block in the Blazer and you don't need a tow vehicle. That Blazer is screming Big Block!

 

[1BEATK5]

I live near by, Vancouver WA.

I have a few post that might be worth taking a look at.

R.I.P. '7747 http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270253

454 MPFI http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253871
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254023

TBI Test Bench http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266439

I think the '427 computer upgrade with the 454 / SM465 is one good way to go. Then again, the MPFI 454 would be the BEST option because the '427 computer upgrade could also be used with the current wiring harness and MPFI!


dave w

i read some of those already like r.i.p. 7747. i'm just looking for basic right now, and then maybe later go for more power and better electronics.
i',m on vaca and have a slooooooow connection, but i will read up on the mpfi when i get back on monday.

 

[1BEATK5]

Just put the big block in the Blazer and you don't need a tow vehicle. That Blazer is screming Big Block!

the reason i'm not looking to go f.i. on the k5 yet is because i want a bbc and manual trans swap first. but for now to get it back on the road, a stock 350 will do the job until money permits real power.

 

[dave w]

The differences between the 88 V30 454 / 350 harness is not much at all. The IAC connector is different between the 454 / 350 TBI, but like you said there is a conversion harness adapter. The 350 would use a knock sensor, but some TBI 454's did not use a knock sensor. The PROM chip for the 454 can be programmed not to use the Electronic Spark Control Module if you choose not to use a knock sensor on the 454. The smog pump / air diverter valve can be eliminated in the 454 PROM also, if you choose to. The 350 TBI distributor can be used in the 454, so nothing changes there, except how / where the coil mounts. The MAP, O2, TPS, and CTS and the associated connectors from the 350 can be used on the 454.

If it was my 88 V30, I'd get a 454 Vortec (like the one pictured below) and do like I did for the 454 MPFI. I'd use the '427 computer like I did in the '7747 R.I.P. instead of the '7730 computer. I can make you the special batch fire - to - sequential fire harness adapter. I suppose the only headache is getting a 45 PSI fuel pump into the 88 V30 gas tank.

dave w

 

[eagle mark]

the reason i'm not looking to go f.i. on the k5 yet is because i want a bbc and manual trans swap first. but for now to get it back on the road, a stock 350 will do the job until money permits real power.

HP is directically related to cash spent times debt!

Looked through your laundry list of vehicles and I have gone through the Pontiac stage, had a 2006 rubicon and my favorite was the bone stock 65 Pan with electric start. Second favorite was a 66 Harley first year Shovelhead... with sidecar!

 

[1BEATK5]

HP is directically related to cash spent times debt!

Looked through your laundry list of vehicles and I have gone through the Pontiac stage, had a 2006 rubicon and my favorite was the bone stock 65 Pan with electric start. Second favorite was a 66 Harley first year Shovelhead... with sidecar!

electric start? wtf is that?
mine is kick only,12.5-1,and 93 inches large.
i was a pontiac nut first, then a truck guy. so it's going to be hard when i sell the trans am. but i think it's time. the lemans was my dads, and thats a keeper for sure. it hasnt ran since about 85', and i'm in no hurry to get it going.
i have too many projects, so when i get rid of some, that will put more money available for whats left. i cant get rid of the rubicon because thats my wheeler since i dont have anymore friends with fullsizes. even my brother parted his k5 and bought a 99' cherokee ( i had 5 jeeps up untill january) from me. but anyways, i just need more parts car to get 2 of my rigs running. then i be set.

 

[1BEATK5]

i finally took the cc on a highway trip. loaded with 1200lbs in the bed, me, the dog, tools, and both tanks full of fuel.
drove out to my moms house, which is in the coast range, picked up the car trailer, and came back.
the highway is somewhat flat, but has 4 long uphills. i drove 70-75mph all the way there, and 55-60mph all the way back. i had plenty of power to pull the hills, even with the trailer and averaged 12mpg. not bad for 210hp, and try that with a 454.
soooo. maybe i dont want/need a 454. i like the descent fuel mileage, and if i just tow the wrangler i might be ok with maybe just some power mods.
the question is what can i do before i need a custom chip.
i was thinking edel. manifold, borred tbi unit, tbi spacer, injector spacer, and of coarse an adj. fpr.
shorty headers, single 3" pipe, huge (quiet) flowmaster, and no cat for the exhaust.
can i do all that with no chip? i want to save the chip or better controller for maybe a vortec head 383.
any other suggestions?
what about some 1.6 ratio roller rockers on the stock valvetrain? worth it? i know the cam is tiny in these.

 

[dave w]

the question is what can i do before i need a custom chip.
i was thinking edel. manifold, borred tbi unit, tbi spacer, injector spacer, and of coarse an adj. fpr.
shorty headers, single 3" pipe, huge (quiet) flowmaster, and no cat for the exhaust.
can i do all that with no chip? i want to save the chip or better controller for maybe a vortec head 383.
any other suggestions?
what about some 1.6 ratio roller rockers on the stock valvetrain? worth it? i know the cam is tiny in these.

I think with adjustable pressure regulator, the no cat / shorty headers / 3" single exhaust / flowmaster is OK with the stock chip. Skip everything else you have planned, and save the money for a custom prom / better controller and vortec 383 engine upgrade. The 383 engine will absolutlely need the adjustable fuel pressure regulator, no cat / shorty headers / 3" single pipe / flowmaster exhaust system. I think mods that can be transfered to a 383 votec engine conversion make the most cent$.

dave w

 

[1BEATK5]

I just realized (remembered) that the vortec heads require a different intake manifold.
there is a guy on craigslist thats been trying to sell a 3704 edel intake w/a new t-body spacer for $200 firm.
it's been like 4 months and now he is down to $190 firm.
i was goin to send him an e-mail that says "when you are willing to sell this for $175 call this number" but i dont want to sound like a dick.
maybe i wil wait and see if the price goes to $180 in 4 more months
i dont want to pay a bunch for it just to ditch it down the road, and i never end up selling my stuff for what its worth