Okay here's the situation. I want to swap in a 383 into my 88 T/A. My brother has an 88 S-10 and wants to swap in a V-8. We have this deal that when I go to the 383 that we would swap out the 305 and swap it into his S-10.

The question is: if we swap out the L03 and put it into the S10, would it be better to switch it to a non-CC carb setup, or should he stick with the TBI that is currently on the motor? I'm inclined to just convert it to Carb and forego the wiring nightmares of installing it into the S10. Also, as far as power considerations go, would it be advantageous to carb it?

The S-10 is a 1988 long bed with a 4.3 L TBI and automatic (700-R4 I believe). The S-10 is bone stock right now.

So comments, ideas, flames, flags????

 

Okay, is this on the wrong board or what?

 

if the 4.3 is TBI then all the sensors should pretty much hook right up...either need a new chip or just swap the ECM over...probably wouldnt be a bad swap actually.

 

Yea..... just check them there numbers on the ECM to see if they're the same unit. It wouldn't surprise me if they were.

You might be better off posting this in the DIY PROM board and asking those guys. They'll be able to answer your question before you even get done typing it.

AJ

 

Stay with the TBI, use the 305 ECM and injectors (the whole TBI unit if you don't need it for the 383). The 4.3 harness is the same.

I'd go into it more but I'm getting ready for work, maybe later tonight if you need more info.

 

thats what i thought. should be a fairly simple swap then. hardest part is getting the small block in a s10.

 

Yes, the 4.3 L is a TBI as well. I was thinking more on the line of performance. Getting a V8 in there is not a problem really. There is space. A little tighter than a V8 in our cars but it has been done many times before.

 

Alright, now that I have more time.

Going from a 305 to a 350 in the camaro your going to want to change the injectors so keep the 305 injectors with it. IIRC the 4.3 and 5.0 TBI units are the exact same in how they bolt to the manifold, not sure about bore diameters. The harness's are the same for both so wiring is not an issue. At worst you'd have to lengthen it 4" in a few places. I've even heard the 2.8 TBI harness is the same except for it's length. I'm unsure of the ECM's and PROM's but www.s-series.org would be able to help you with that.

To answer the rest of your question, you can get more power overall out of a carb but TBI is capable of providing more than enough fuel than a 305 can use. Unless you've found a way to make a 900 hp 305 stay with the TBI.

One word of advice from someone who's been there, if your brother has a 4X4 S-10 put a body lift on it while your there. I've changed engines on 2 4.3 4X4 Blazers and replaced 1 350 in a 2wd truck, the bellhousing bolts and exhaust are a nightmare to get at without the extra room.

 

Well thanks for the info. The engine that's going into my FireChicken is a 383 and it will be carbed. I was just wondering if I should carb the 305 when we put it into the S-10 or leave the TBI intact. We shall see what turns out. Oh and by the way, the S-10 is 2WD with the long bed.