86WS6

iTrader: (1)

1982 TA with a 305 4 barrel with computer command control. How difficult will it be to convert this car to a TBI set-up? I am thinking that the best way will be to purchase a 305 TBI donor car and swap over everything that is different.

RFmaster

Well, It is a toss-up between donor vs. EFI build-up. It is not too diffiuclt - it will take time and planning.

To convert from CCC to TBI you'll need the following (these are basic highlights):

1) EFI harness - with donor you're dealling with 20+ year old harness. Wires and connectors are tired. For less than $300 a brand new custom harness can be sourced. Some customization will be required, but it should not be too bad. Just plan for this.

2) Fuel pump - you'll need fuel pump in the tank. There are people that run inline FP's. But why bother?? Some fuel line plumbing will be required. I do not know if '82 carb cars had a return line and in tank FP. Crossfire LU5 did.

3) CCC distributor will work with TBI, just have to order correct interface plug between harness and dizzy.

4) Need TBI intake - or carb intake with TBI adapter plate, TB and all corresponding sensors - this can come from any 305 TBI donor (avoid TBI B-body intake, it is different!!!!).

5) ECM with calibration to match your engine (ECM + EBL will be best of all worlds)

//RF

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

That does not sound bad at all. The car runs decent, but the carb is a little cranky, which if memory serves they were always cranky. I have had it worked on and it seems to be running as well as possible. Everyone blames it on the differences in fuel these days compared to the fuel that was available in 1982.

The 82's do have a return line.

Sounds like a new fuel tank designed for an in tank pump will be in order?

Will a TBI produce any more HP/torque than the carb? I remember in the late 80's when the switch from carbs to TBI was still in the development phase, several models of cars and light trucks saw a decrease in HP.

RFmaster

Indeed - a new tank in a 30 year old car almost a mandatory requirement. Yes, I would go with a new EFI tank and sending module, fuel pump.

As to HP - this is question is subject to countless debates, discussions and flame wars. Most of these discussions are just that: debates with nothing to back it up. To me a close loop EFI beats Carb on any day. Drivability, ease of maintenance and fuel efficiency are the clear winners. BTOS - to get more HP will require mods to engine internals, intake, cam and exhaust. ECM can be tuned to take advantage of engine changes - so it is not true 1:1 comparison.

If the 305 you have now is in good running condition with a decent cam and heads I would simply install a quality carb intake and TBI adapter plate. Factory exhaust is a limiting factor which can dealt with. Tuning will take time to dial in to extract more power.

//RF

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

The car is all original with 24,600 miles on it. It's just like new! I hate to think about doing any mods to it, however a TBI conversion could be done and not change the overall look of the engine bay, unless one looked under the breather.

Drac0nic

http://www.diyautotune.com/tech_arti...part1-nova.htm

This is a link to a TBI conversion, it uses a ton of budget and stock parts. Something cool is that since you're doing an F-body you can put in a stock EFI tank and you don't have to do anything odd to make it work. The second article covers going to an electronic ignition (You already have one with your large cap HEI unit) so you may want to check that out as well.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

I swapped my 1983 G20 van to TBI then dropped a 350 into it, then swapped it to TPI.





I would swap over to the serpentine belt setup as well.

357L98

iTrader: (1)

Cool, a Tuned Port in a van!

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

It was a fun swap..I have an itch to do an LT1 or Vortec V8 AWD Astro/Safari van now.

I am actually working on a TBI swap for a daily driver at the moment. Pulled a weak 130 hp 2bbl 305 out of a 1980 Camaro and dropped in a roller cam 350 TBI and a TH400 from a 1990 1-ton van. I am modifying the engine harness from a 1990 C1500 4.3 to fit the car. Scored the super clean and complete underhood harness out of a wrecking yard for $20.00. I am also rewiring the car with a Painless harness. The car is also getting a serpentine setup from a 1990 Firebird and the plan is to look as close to factory as possible. It is a non a/c car that will be getting aftermarket a/c as well.

357L98

iTrader: (1)

Nice work, I put an 87 TBI truck motor in my 71 C10, it is working great and I'm happy with it. I have a TPI I'm putting together to replace a carb on another project.