I've been browsing on craig's list lately and I found a primered '86 z28 close to where I live minus drivetrain for $500. I've been tossing around the idea of doing a phantom SS 454 camaro project for a little while now and thought this might be a good opportunity to start getting parts and input. I'm going to use a stock '87 tbi 454 from a 1/2 ton truck with maybe a cam upgrade, but otherwise like gm would have pulled it out of their parts selection. I need a better set of cast ex manifolds- I'm thinking maybe later vortec manifolds? Rest of exhaust will be stock with maybe a muffler upgrade for some nice tunes. I thought about hooking it to a t5 but that might be a bit much for a mostly stock t5. Plus I like the extra low first of the th700. Rear end will have a disc 10 bolt w/ 3.42's from a v6, maybe posi. Stock springs up front for a natural 1" lower with fat swaybars front and rear. I believe I can use the stock sb motor & trans mounts, truck power acessories and locations and a moroso pan for clearance. I'll need a better radiator and want to use dual electric fans. Which tbi computer wil give me the best idle control and response? What else can I look out for in this swap?

 

I would think a slight cam change would be in order, as GM probably would have put one in that takes into account the different weight of the car. I'm sure it would still be mild, just a little different. You wouldn't need as much bottom end with the size of that engine in the car you will put it in. Maybe the profile of a car equipped 454 from old (early 70s) would be better if it was machined onto a cam for your newer 454.

Also, don't you think the TPI computer is better, even if you run TBI with it? I'm sure the injector drivers can handle the TBI injectors, and since they run batch fire won't they still pulse properly to run good? You seem to have plenty of experience with ECMs from other threads if I remember right...

My favorite TBI ECM is from a 93 pickup. It also runs the later 4L60E trans which is a bonus, too, in my opinion. My last truck had the 4l80e trans but the 4L60e seems to run well off of it as well.

Keep us up to date on this one, it is a swap I would love to see done right. A TBI 454 that looks like a factory install...

 

How are you gonna make it street legal though? Or is it just for track/show?

A 454 3rd would never pass legally, unless the inspector "looks the other way"....he's stupid...or doesn't care.

 

Well I could actually do a legal swap if I could find one from an '87 454 g-body, but who has to know it isn't? The '165 can handle tbi injectors and would be a better choice than the p3 ecm's gm seemed to hang onto for so long with tbi, but I want to keep this thing as pseudo-authentic as possible, besides the manifolds... Maybe I'll just stick with a '747.