Author Topic: Carb to TBI questions  (Read 4413 times)

Offline DrDaryl

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Carb to TBI questions
« on: November 26, 2010, 11:50:44 pm »
I may get a complete TBI setup off a 1987 R10.  Don't know if its a 350 or 305 but it has a 4 speed trans.
My truck is a 1986 C10 with the 190 hp GM Goodwrench 350 engine (all stock) with a TH350 trans.  Leaving out the fuel pump issues for now, would this be a "plug and play" conversion or would I have to modify the harness from the donor truck?  Also is it likely that there would be tuning issues to deal with on the ECM?
I plan to leave the truck stock.  I also might have the opportunity to get the entire engine and trans from the R10, but could this make sense as my Goodwrench is low mileage and the donor has 164,000 miles?
Thanks

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Carb to TBI questions
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2010, 09:59:18 am »
You'll need the intake manifold, O2 sensor in the exhaust, all the associated sensors and wiring harness. You will have to do some cutting and splicing here and there depending on which alternator you are using and a few other odds and ends.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline DrDaryl

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Re: Carb to TBI questions
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2010, 02:19:05 pm »
Would the '87 intake have to be modified to fit my '86?  Would using an adapter plate and keeping the spread
bore intake be a problem?  Or is it just a matter of reaming the holes a bit to make the intake fit?
Thanks

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Carb to TBI questions
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2010, 03:23:37 pm »
The intake will fit. If you went with an adapter you will need to still install the coolant temp sensor near the thermostat.
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline DrDaryl

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Re: Carb to TBI questions
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2010, 05:35:19 pm »
Thanks.  I'll know next week whether I can get it.

Offline topp

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Re: Carb to TBI questions
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2010, 08:14:38 pm »
The intake will fit. If you went with an adapter you will need to still install the coolant temp sensor near the thermostat.

I thought the Heads for the TBI were a different bolt pattern (head to intake) than earlier heads, and so the intake pattern would be different too?
'90 Suburban TBI 350

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Carb to TBI questions
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2010, 11:55:38 am »
They will interchange. The angle of the 4 center bolts changed with the center bolt heads not just TBI. If you are mismatching heads and intakes you need to elongate the holes. Vortec heads are a different story.

,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline topp

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Re: Carb to TBI questions
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2010, 12:51:24 pm »
They will interchange. The angle of the 4 center bolts changed with the center bolt heads not just TBI. If you are mismatching heads and intakes you need to elongate the holes. Vortec heads are a different story.

Thanks for the clarification.
'90 Suburban TBI 350