73-87chevytrucks.com - Jimmy Project

[Captkaos]

Saturday Aug 20th 2005: I started working on the pieces required to convert my '78 Jimmy to TPI. I had purchased an SLP TPI harness back in '95 that they were clearing out and had it sitting around for a while. A while back I picked up a TPI intake, MAP setup and Distributor. Well plans have started moving forward to convert the truck (I HATE carbs..)

Wednesday August 24th, 2005: recieved the new Blazer EFI sending unit from GM


Thursday August 24th, 2005: ordered fuel lines for a '90 Blazer -not here YET

Friday August 25th, 2005: ordered: Sensor kit, 127749 ecm (turbo app ECM), 350 TPI prom, stainless steel bolt kit, and throttle body gasket kit and it arrived on Wednesday.


Saturday August 26th, 2005: started laying out the TPI pieces and started cleaning them up.


Now that the ECM is here I can start repinning the MAP harness from SLP so it can plug into the 7749 ECM and function properly. This should be fun.

[Captkaos]

The intake I purchased was a MAF setup (85-89). I am converting the intake to MAP setup. Instead of using the normal MAP ECM (7730) I am using the 7749 computer which allows me to run a 2bar MAP sensor, which adjusts for boost. The 7730 harness is what the SLP setup is for. I have to repin certain wires for the 7730 harness to work with the 7749 ECM. I won't be using a MAF anymore.

Friday Sep. 2nd 2005:
I recieved the EFI stainless fuel lines from Classic Tube. They apparently sent me more than what I needed/wanted though, but... Anyways, here is the latest pic:


The plans for the turbo is it will be mounted under the truck where the current muffler resides. This is simular to the setup on my brothers 2000 Silverado that is running an STS Turbo kit. (where the turbo and other pieces will come from) http://www.gracemotorsports.biz/current.html It has put down 400hp (8lbs of boost) to the rear tires on a stock 5.3L with over 120K miles on it and climbing.

The 749 ECM runs a 2 bar MAP setup and it has the capability to run up to 14.7lbs of boost. I don't plan on going over this on the current motor, but in the future any chips will be reburnt by me.

[Captkaos]

Update: Wifes foot surgery has taken up most of my time the last couple weeks, but...
3 weeks ago I sandblasted the upper intake plenum and tubes.

Saturday Sept 3rd, 2005: This weekend I started repinning the ECM 7730 wiring harness to work the the 7749 ECM.

[Captkaos]

Thursday Sept 8th, 2005: Ok, I must be on a roll. I got in the garage last night and pulled the fuel rails off and disassembled the lower intake to get it cleaned. I also got the pics of the blasted upper pieces.

[Captkaos]

Friday Sept. 30th 2005: The lower intake is now sandblasted and I played around and mocked up all of the cleaned pieces. I am still mapping out the wiring in my spare time. The original Pinout sheet I had was different than another one I found so I am going through all the wires now.

Here are the latest pics.

[Captkaos]

Saturday: September 30th, 2005: Started on replacing the Body Bushings on my Jimmy. Got the tank dropped, fuel fill removed and PB Blasted the bolts/nuts


Sunday: October 1st, 2005: Started on removing the bolts/nuts from the Jimmy. All but 3 came out/off. I had to tack one bolt to the body to get the nut off on the back and I had to cut the floorboard to weld the captured nut bracket back down. I imagine I will have to do the otherside this way also. Should route the new EFI lines once that is done.

[Captkaos]

Friday Dec. 8th 2006: finished up on the body bushing replacement, just need to tighten up the bolts. Started the removal of the carb fuel lines so they can be replaced by the EFI lines.

[Captkaos]

Saturday July 14th 2007: Finally got back on this... Removed all the fuel lines and the fuel pump and started on pulling the carb. Got distracted that evening by someone selling a '87 K5 for cheap, was wasted time.

[bfofish]

Nice project,allot of that sounds all to familiar.I have considered switching to the TPI,but the TBI will do for now.Is this a 4wd or a 2wd ?

[Captkaos]

It is a 2WD Jimmy.

[bfofish]

NOW I'M REALLY JEALOUS!!!!

[Captkaos]

Monday July 16th, 2007:  Had one fuel clip left under the frame support and tried to remove it with a wrench with the motor in.  Not going to be easy to get it out.

[VileZambonie]

That thing should be sweet!

[anesthes]

The intake I purchased was a MAF setup (85-89). I am converting the intake to MAP setup. Instead of using the normal MAP ECM (7730) I am using the 7749 computer which allows me to run a 2bar MAP sensor, which adjusts for boost. The 7730 harness is what the SLP setup is for. I have to repin certain wires for the 7730 harness to work with the 7749 ECM. I won't be using a MAF anymore.

Are you a member of thirdgen.org as well?

I used to run the $58 code in a '730/'749 on a boosted firebird for years. If you need any tuning tips or to bounce ideas let me know.
When I switched to the vette I couldn't mount the blower so I sold it, and run N/A for now. (so instead I built a high compression / big duration cam NA motor).  The $58 stuff is good but has some quirks. For a while I was tinkering with the $60 code developed by Bruce Plecan (RIP), but it lacked support and now that Bruce has passed away it is no longer active.

-- Joe

[Captkaos]

I am on thirdgen as the same username, but just as a lurker.

I fell out of the loop before Bruce passed and wondered what happened to his work and if anyone was expanding on it.

I may hit you up on the $58 info (and $60).  I am just trying to get it running first and will add the turbo later.  My main focus is to get it running and get the 73-87chevytrucks.com truck running and twin turbo'd first.