I'm sure it's been done here plenty of times, so I thought I'd get on here and ask about it.

I'm looking at getting my 1984 Camaro back on the road again (been off the road for two years for monetary reasons), but I don't want to keep the V6 anymore. What I want to do is take out the carbureted V6 driveline and replace it with a fuel injected (hopefully tuned port) 5.7 V8. I want to keep a 700R4 trans in the car (overdrive is nice, especially when gas is $3.78/gal).

Has anyone here ever taken a carbureted car and converted it to factory fuel injection? I know about replacing the front springs, motor mounts, transmission, wiring harness, and computer. The main thing I'm not sure of is the fuel system. I've been told that there are in-line high pressure fuel pumps that you can buy for fuel injected systems, but I wasn't sure if one of those will put out the pressure I need, consistently. Also, what would I do about the fuel return line? The carbureted 2.8 doesn't appear to use one...

 

I'm assuming you don't have the V8 stuff yet. A donor car would make it much easier, as you'll have all the parts you need.

V6 cars have the return line. It comes from the fuel pump on carb'd cars.

You can use an in-line pump. Just make sure it's rated for EFI, and is 3/8" inlet/outlet (many are 5/16" or smaller).

 

Are you hoping to re-use the 700r4 that was behind your v-6, behind a new v-8? If so, that might be worth re-thinking. Have to ask, why go TPI? Maybe you already have the motor & TPI system? If you're starting a fresh v6 to v8 swap, you have all kinds of alternative options. Just limited by the $$$.

Good luck

 

Hey guys.

You're right, five7kid; there's a return line. I'm doubting that a small carb'd-appl. diameter would be sufficient for a TPI...am I right?

I've got no parts yet, no.

As for why the TPI, I've always heard good things about them. I'd prefer to go fuel injected, for power and mileage. But I don't know...maybe a carb would fit this project better. The return line has me wincing...looks a little small for FI pressure.

No, I'm not going to try keeping the V6 trans. It's got a whole different bellhousing on it that won't mate up with a smallblock. I just meant that I want to get a 700R4 for the V8, instead of going with a TH350 like some guys do with these conversions. What can I say, I like the overdrive...

 

you can eitehr bend your own return line, or bu prebent one

 

Yeah but I'd still have to drop the tank and replace the sending unit to install a larger return line. I really don't want to touch that gas tank...

 

V6, V8, carb, TBI, TPI - supply and return lines are all the same sizes. Only difference is routing, and V6 & TPI use the same routing.