New on here. Just got a 89 RS 2 months ago. Has only seen a little bit of the road since Ive gotten it. Just around the block a few times since I dont have insurance. Its got a 305 in it. Exploring the possibilities of a 350. Ive 2 of them. One is already disassembled by me awaiting hot tanking (was burning oil). The other was sorta running (ran it on starting fluid for a few seconds) but leaking and maybe burning oil. If I were to rebuild the 350 and put a 600cfm electic choke edelbrock carb on it, what are all the mods Id have to do to convert the car? Any suspension modifications? electrical? Computer? Any others? I already tried looking but didnt see a thread that really answered many questions for me Thanks

if you don't have to pass emissions, the carb would do fine, a bit small but it should work...you can eliminate the computer all together with a new hei distributor, just change over all your sensors and everything should be good to go..

Which sensors would that be?
Wouldnt anything over 600cfms be overkill?
I dont have the money tro do anything radical to an engine. Just maybe an xtreme energy cam and edelbrock rmp intake. Maybe vortec heads down the road

oil pressure sending unit and temp sending unit..the tach will hookup to the new distributor and the volt is supplied from the alternator..

Am I correct assuming I wont have to cut into and splice any wires under the dash?
Would I need one of those torque converter lockup kits?

I think you ought to go a slightly different approach...

Since you are not racing, why not keep the TBI? Go to the TBI forum and look at the sticky at the top about going 305 to 350. It's all in there!

All in all, it will cost you LESS money to do this than to go carb. You already have most of the parts. You just need the right prom chip, a knock sensor and ESC module for a 350, and I think that's it. You can either run 350 fuel injectors or turn up your fuel pressure with a TPI pump and an adjustable regulator. You can search this site on how to make that so that it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg as well.

There are lots of TBI 350's around, so getting used parts isn't hard either...

If you swap to mechanical carb and mechanical HEI, you will need to spend more money and buy a lock up kit.

Thats the thing. Im a speed freak though. Isnt there a limit as to how fast you cna go if youve still got the TBI? I want a car that will roll and go.
Later I plan to upgrade the engine to forged pistons, modified vortecs, nos, and maybe a supercharger
Another reason I want to go carbd is I plan on entering it at Ranken Techs drag nights at Gateway race track this spring if I have it done soon enough

I want to make this a totally nasty car someday

You'll need an HEI distributor and a Mallory 4309 fuel pressure regulator, and the correct linkage items to install the carb and maintain the correct geometry on the TV cable. You'll need a TC lockup kit in the tranny (unless you just manually lock it up by leaving computer installed and using a grounding switch off the diags port.

No wire cutting necessary (or recommended), at least until you know the project is done. I left all my wiring in place, as it left me wires for things like electric choke. Also, I use the wiring harness from engine bay to ECM to have pre-existing wires to the exterior of the car (comes in handy for TC lockup, foglights, manual on switch for fans, etc. If I have a high load item (such as fog lights), I use the wiring to operate the switch in the cabin, and use a relay in the engine bay for the power. 2 years later, my wiring is STILL in place - every day I find another use for a wire from inside to outside, and I have them available at the ECM harness!

So it shouldnt really be all that hard but itll cost me a few hundred extra is what youre saying?

Would I need a new fuel pump?
If so, can I use an edelbrock mechanical one?

The stock TBI is generally considered marginal for much more than "stock" 350 HP. If you go mechanical, you will either have to remove the in-tank pump, or keep it running. In-tank electric pushing to an engine-mounted mechanical w/return regulator is a pretty good plan. But, a better in-tank electric pum (TPI or something like a Walbro 255) would also be sufficient with a return style regulator.

I could use the old serpentine system from the 305 correct? Would I still use the alternator that is on the car now?

No problem with the serpentine system as long as you don't use really old heads - like pre-1970.

Just to expound on a point - if you think TBI is a "fast" limiter, done right (and for no more money), it'll run circles around a 600 Edelbrock.

Im looking at a slightly used 350 for cheap w/ eddy intake and carb currently. Have no idea what year the block/heads are. Id like to later add nitrous and maybe someday stroke out a small block

What kind of lockup kit would I need? The kind like the one that painless wiring sells?
Whats the difference between these kits and which one do I need?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...218031885&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...202238306&rd=1

Looking at this pump

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...223264561&rd=1

TCI edelbrock tv cable bracket
And also a mallory 3 port return pressure regulator

Is there anything else Id need? Does any of the above look like it wouldnt work?

Links or info on the tbi buildup?

Looking at a block on ebay as well. Casting number 3970010 so its an 69-80 block but with heads from 69-80 casting number 3927816

Anyone know of these should bolt up top a serpentine system?