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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: Tony_SS on January 14, 2010, 11:21:18 AM

Title: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: Tony_SS on January 14, 2010, 11:21:18 AM
I have a GM crate 350 with TBI setup.

What are some fairly simple upgrades get a few more ponies and torque out of it?
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: eventhorizon66 on January 14, 2010, 11:59:24 AM
Can you elaborate on you specific set up?  What crate?  The universal Goodwrench 350 or Goodwrench L05 replacement?

In any case a nice free flowing exhaust is always a good place to start.  Quality headers, 2.5" dual pipes,  h-pipe or x-pipe, high flow cats (if you need cats), and magnaflow or dynomax ultraflo mufflers.
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: Tony_SS on January 14, 2010, 12:43:26 PM
I dont know.. I think it might be a universal Goodwrench 350. It has centerbolt valve covers too. I need to run some numbers.

Outside of the exhaust.. what else, to the TBI, engine or programming?
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: jimbo on January 14, 2010, 12:58:44 PM
Throw a carb on it.  LOL, I am joking, thats the cheap way out.  There are many things you can do while keeping your tbi.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/148_0307_late_model_tbi_trucks_power_upgrade/index.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4623673_build-high-performance-tbi-engine.html
http://www.cfm-tech.com/GM_tbi_tuning_tips.htm
http://www.cfm-tech.com/catalog/gm_tbi_performance_parts___accessories_126905_products.htm
http://www.tbichips.com/
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/general-discussion/performance/418481-ol-salad-bowl-tbi-modification-how.html
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/tbi/391406-budget-tbi-buildup.html
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: Tony_SS on January 14, 2010, 01:13:06 PM
Wow, thanks jimbo, that ought to keep me busy for awhile!
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: jimbo on January 14, 2010, 02:14:07 PM
Oh, I almost forgot my favorite source for parts:
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=tbi&dds=1

A friend of mine swears by the "salad bowl" on his tbi z71.:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HYP-4001/
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: Jim Rockford on January 16, 2010, 08:04:21 AM
Biggest restriction  for TBI engine is the HEADS.. you can put all the exhaust in the world on it, they heads will still not flow.you can see the ramp blocks half the port.
(http://image.customclassictrucks.com/f/9432096+w750+st0/0405cct_head02_z.jpg)
Compared to a regular heads intake port..
(http://image.customclassictrucks.com/f/9432099+w750+st0/0405cct_head03_z.jpg)
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: eventhorizon66 on January 16, 2010, 11:53:53 AM
Biggest restriction  for TBI engine is the HEADS.. you can put all the exhaust in the world on it, they heads will still not flow.

...but at least everything downstream of the heads will.

It's understood that TBI heads' flow numbers suck.  But a full exhaust can net 25 hp or so without touching the heads.  And if you do decide to replace the heads with higher performing units, it becomes even more crucial to relieve restriction downstream at the same time.  So, cutting exhaust system losses at an early stage in a performance build makes good sense.

He didn't specify how much power he was looking for, but he did say he was looking for some "fairly simple upgrades."  I don't think head swap or extensive head porting falls into that category.
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: Jim Rockford on January 16, 2010, 04:39:05 PM
I've done headers and exhaust on LO5's...It doesn't help.if you can't get more air in, you don't have to worry about getting it out.
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: jimbo on January 25, 2010, 11:04:24 AM
I've done headers and exhaust on LO5's...It doesn't help.if you can't get more air in, you don't have to worry about getting it out.
You must be kidding with the "it doesn't help", bit.  Just because the gains aren't as large as some other applications doesn't mean that every dyno in the world won't disagree with that, lol.
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: jimbo on January 25, 2010, 11:05:09 AM
Biggest restriction  for TBI engine is the HEADS.. you can put all the exhaust in the world on it, they heads will still not flow.

...but at least everything downstream of the heads will.

It's understood that TBI heads' flow numbers suck.  But a full exhaust can net 25 hp or so without touching the heads.  And if you do decide to replace the heads with higher performing units, it becomes even more crucial to relieve restriction downstream at the same time.  So, cutting exhaust system losses at an early stage in a performance build makes good sense.

He didn't specify how much power he was looking for, but he did say he was looking for some "fairly simple upgrades."  I don't think head swap or extensive head porting falls into that category.

I couldn't have said it any better.
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: chevymotocross on January 25, 2010, 07:09:10 PM
There are a few options. I agree that bolt-ons help a good amount (headers, exhaust, tbi mods, spacer intake, etc), but the main weakness, atleast of the L05 350 and L03 305, are the heads and cam. Of course these can be changed, but now you run into tuning problems. Your best bet is to either learn to tune and data log yourself, find a good tuner who knows TBI, or, forget the TBI altogether and get a carb.
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: VileZambonie on January 25, 2010, 10:41:18 PM
Tuning a tbi is cake
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: Jim Rockford on January 26, 2010, 11:10:15 AM
Biggest restriction  for TBI engine is the HEADS.. you can put all the exhaust in the world on it, they heads will still not flow.

...but at least everything downstream of the heads will.

It's understood that TBI heads' flow numbers suck.  But a full exhaust can net 25 hp or so without touching the heads.  And if you do decide to replace the heads with higher performing units, it becomes even more crucial to relieve restriction downstream at the same time.  So, cutting exhaust system losses at an early stage in a performance build makes good sense.

He didn't specify how much power he was looking for, but he did say he was looking for some "fairly simple upgrades."  I don't think head swap or extensive head porting falls into that category.

I couldn't have said it any better.

Well all I can say is enjoy flushing your money down the toilet. I've only been hopping up carsand engines for 20years.. Sorry if my experience doesn't hold enough water for you.
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: jimbo on February 18, 2010, 07:40:52 AM
Biggest restriction  for TBI engine is the HEADS.. you can put all the exhaust in the world on it, they heads will still not flow.

...but at least everything downstream of the heads will.

It's understood that TBI heads' flow numbers suck.  But a full exhaust can net 25 hp or so without touching the heads.  And if you do decide to replace the heads with higher performing units, it becomes even more crucial to relieve restriction downstream at the same time.  So, cutting exhaust system losses at an early stage in a performance build makes good sense.

He didn't specify how much power he was looking for, but he did say he was looking for some "fairly simple upgrades."  I don't think head swap or extensive head porting falls into that category.

I couldn't have said it any better.

Well all I can say is enjoy flushing your money down the toilet. I've only been hopping up carsand engines for 20years.. Sorry if my experience doesn't hold enough water for you.

No problem, its difficult to make any unfounded theory, that can be proven wrong in one attempt, not leak like a sieve.











Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: Blue 82 on February 20, 2010, 04:54:11 PM
I been playing with TBI stuff for a while
Here's a few shots of a (ported) 193 head cut in half
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab138/Billy-Biscayne/022-1.jpg)
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab138/Billy-Biscayne/023-1.jpg)

If you seen the inside of a LO5 exhaust manifold
you should take a look, the center exhaust ports are actually one
Unlike a stock Carbed exhaust manifold

Headers make a huge improvement in an LO5 in my most humble of opinions

If you are not gonna dig into the engine
an adjustable fuel pressure regualtor will help
as will Ultimate TBI Mods (google it)
The salad bowl trick for the air cleaner works well
But getting a tune, or custom chip is probably the best bang for the buck once the other mods are completed
Title: Re: 350 TBI Performance Options?
Post by: jimbo on March 08, 2010, 01:31:23 PM

Headers make a huge improvement in an LO5 in my most humble of opinions

If you are not gonna dig into the engine
an adjustable fuel pressure regualtor will help
as will Ultimate TBI Mods (google it)
The salad bowl trick for the air cleaner works well
But getting a tune, or custom chip is probably the best bang for the buck once the other mods are completed


Ultimate TBI mods, I had to check it out.

http://www.thirdgen.org/ultimatetbi