Carburetors Carb discussion and questions. Upgrading your Third Gen's carburetor, swapping TBI to carburetor, or TPI to carburetor? Need LG4 or H.O. info? Post it here.

Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

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Old 11-14-2016, 07:25 PM
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Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

Hi and thanks. I am seriously thinking of switching from the TBI on my 1991 RS, 305 V8 and 5 speed manual to a carburetor. Not exactly sure where I would go and what I can remove from the engine bay to make this happen. The VAT system is driving me nuts. I have the starter relay bypassed, but of course you need a signal from the ECM to fire the injectors and make it run. The resistor bypass only worked for a couple months. I figure with a carb the ECM and VATs becomes obsolete as you can wire the fuel pump to run as needed with a pressure regulator.
Please let me know if what I am doing makes sense.
Thanks.
Old 11-15-2016, 05:56 AM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

Ive been running one of those $20 ebay VATS bypass for 2 years without an issue. It doesn't use a resistor tuned to the original key. It just sends the signal the ECM is looking for.

A lot simplier then a tbi to carb swap, if that is the only issue you are having.

Last edited by 3rdgenmaro; 11-15-2016 at 09:20 AM.
Old 11-15-2016, 07:20 AM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

Originally Posted by 3rdgenmaro
Ive been running one of those $10 ebay VATS bypass for 2 years without an issue. It doesn't use a resistor tuned to the original key. It just sends the signal the ECM is looking for.

A lot simplier then a tbi to carb swap, if that is the only issue you are having.
Please post up a link to that resistor for us.
Old 11-15-2016, 09:13 AM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

I wouldn't call it a resistor........its a signal generator I guess.

Price has went up, but this is what Ive been running. Just splice it in and go. $20 shipped http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-VATS-or-P...1WEYiu&vxp=mtr

Havent had any issues so far.

All you have to do is wire it in and bypass the starter relay (which the OP has already done)

EDIT: I know it works on my 91 TBI. I don't even have the key cylinder in the car, just the ignition switch, and so far no issues. I installed it because I had a couple no start problems because of the VATS.

Last edited by 3rdgenmaro; 11-15-2016 at 09:22 AM.
Old 11-15-2016, 12:01 PM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

I have also used this exact VATS bypass module in my build. Really simple to wire in. This was on a '91 TPI car, but it should work on anything that has VATS (and a passkey module).

The only issue I had was trial and error to determine whether I needed a 30Hz or 50Hz signal. I wound up trying the wrong one first, of course.
Old 11-15-2016, 12:03 PM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

I actually have a picture (I know, looks hideous, I was testing ok). It's the little black blob in the center of the shot.
Old 11-15-2016, 01:10 PM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

Pretty sure I done the same thing! I should have wrote it all down when I done it.

I've got it all taped up right now, but if I ever have to pull it back out, I'll write it down.
Old 11-15-2016, 02:45 PM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

I got as hold of Brain at Harris Performance and he said to send him my stock chip and he will delete the VAT system off the chip. I will give this a try and let you all know. I hope it's $60.00 well spent for a little bit of confidence in the car. www.tbichips.com
Old 11-23-2016, 10:42 AM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

I have had the VATS proble, trying resistors from Radio Shack was the solution. Cheap, only took a couple of hours.
I have converted an LO3 from TBI to carb, don't do that. I just posted a new thread in TBI about that, go read it.
Old 11-23-2016, 05:42 PM
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Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

Thanks Cosmic. I am eagerly awaiting my re-programmed chip that eliminates the VATs completely.
Old 12-05-2016, 12:19 PM
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Transmission: T5 and 700R4 soon to be ?
Axle/Gears: Stock...
Re: Switching from TBI to Carb, what am I up against?

Installed the reprogrammed chip today and the car started right without any issues. The security light is on permanently so I will need to find the bulb/wire and remedy that problem. Now it's on to other projects on the car.




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