Carb to TBI Question.Need help!

[Buds Dad]

Im sure this topic has ben brought up a hundred times.I have a 85 1/2 ton 2WD 350 ,with fuel injection heads, pick up that I want to switch to fuel injection for my 16 year old daughter to drive.I have access to a 90 or 91 suburban 2WD with no tranny that I can take whatever I need to do the swap at no cost to me so i want to take advantage of the offer.Can someone tell me what I need from the donor truck? So far I know about the intake,engine harness,dash harness,cluster,the fuel deliver situation,and O2 sensor.I read something about needing the steering colum  and something about using a cluster from a 87-89 blazer for the speedo to work because the 85 is cable driven which makes sense.Im also taking the serpentine belt set up (issues?) .Is there a way I will be able to use the 90/91 cluster and do I need that cluster just for the check engine light? Im guessing it wont be easy but I think it will be worth the effort. My 85 is getting new paint and I want to do the swap ASAP before the new interior goes in.Any help would be appreciated. 

[VileZambonie]

Grab the harness and the cluster from the burban along with the ECM. You'll need the engine harness, tbi unit, intake manifold, all the sensors, distributor,the fuel lines, fuel pump and sending unit which will be different for a pickup then a suburban. Basically take everything lol

[TexasRed]

You could also megasquirt it. I'm sure there are others that have done it before.

If your '85 pickup doesn't have an 02 sensor bung in the exhaust manifolds, you'll be needing that unless you plan on installing your own bung or using the suburban's manifolds. In which case, wanna sell those manifolds? LOL

[monte85]

i hate that megaquirt thing. i tried that some time back and got so frustrated i yanked it and went with a good old fashioned carb. it was fun to build it and all but the software tuning is a pain if you have never done anything like that before. its like if you were 5 and someone tossed you a physics book and said theres a test on friday. all the sensors they use are basic gm fuel injection stuff, though.

[Captkaos]

Still got it?

[Buds Dad]

Whats megasquirt?

[Captkaos]

http://www.megasquirt.info/
ECU built by you that will control a engine, what you have would be fine though.   I wouldn't use it on a TBI setup.  I do plan to put one on my Hilborn.

[Buds Dad]

Anyone know  what I need to do with the instrument cluster as far as using the speedo?The one in the suburban is not cable driven.Also is there something I need from the steering column? Im hoping to start pulling the stuff out of the suburban on my next long break and I want to try to get most of it on the first trip.

[Robry 87]

IT IS SOME MUCH EASIER JUST TO GO WITH A GOOD CARB AND IT IS A LOT LESS WORK A CARB WILL PREFORM BETTER IN YOUR SITUAION ALL YOU WILL NEED A LATE MODLE INTAKE FOR A CARB AND DISTATOR. VERIS ALL THE SINSERS HEAD AIKE WEEK TO TWO CHANGING OVER YOU CAN GO OLD SCHOOL IN ONE DAY"S WORK YOU CAN USE USED PARTS EXEPT INTAKE I JUST BOUGHT ONE OFF EBAY FOR 125.00 NEW I CHANGED MINE OVER FOR LESS THEN 300.00 AND DID IT ON A SATERDAY WELL GOOD LUCK IT"S TRUELY THE BEST WAY GO SELL ALL THE TBI TO PAY FOR THE SWOP! BEEN THERE DONE THAT JUST THIS WEEK . 

[monte85]

sorry captkaos, i spaced and wasn't paying attention. i forgot there was a question there. i sold the megasquirt on ebay some time ago. so guy from the netherlands bought it.

[Captkaos]

Robry87, PLEASE TURN YOUR CAPS LOCK OFF!!!!  THAT IS CONSIDERED YELLING ON A FORUM!!!  We also have a spell check that would make reading your post MUCH easier.

A carb won't preform better than a TBI in his situation.  A TBI is light years ahead of drive-ability compared to a Carb.

monte85, Thanks, just curious as I plan to get one for my Hilborn injection.

Buds Dad What kind of trans do you have?  Are you sure the donor didn't have a cable?  If not, you just need a VSS in the transmission for the signal.