Advise needed
 

Hello
Great board, tons of relevant info but I think it is time to start defining the parameters and for that I need some advise. After lurking here and on a couple of other boards I think I am ready to actually set goals for my project, the actual work is understandable but some of the options need to be defined. I must admit I am a bit of a "wolf in sheeps clothing" or more accurately a hotrodder in 3rdgen clothing. I have the TPI setup from a 1987 305 Firebird which I intend to mount on a 400 cu in Small block chev and drop in my 1948 Chev pickup.

It is apparent that I will have to modify the ECU because of the change in engine size, and I am working a getting a handle on that.
In a post to 88gunmetalgta's thread Dimented24x7 says that he feels that an engine this size wont run well at highway speeds due to MAF limitations, while Orr89RocZ seems to be running 383 and 400 cu in setups. Still I think the 89s run speed density so the limitation does not apply.

So my first question is, will the MAF be a problem?
I am inclined to use the MAF system, firstly because I have it, and secondly because I undestand that it is a little more forgiving in terms of engine changes, Size and camshaft etc. Still lack of appropriate flow is a major problem.

Then the second question becomes if I need to go to speed density can I run an 89 bin file on my 16198259 (165 replacement) and get speed density that way (along with the required wiring and hardware changes of course)?

Should I bite the bullet and find a replacement 730 ecu. If I have to replace the Memcal to go to a larger engine then a complete change may be smarter. I was under the impression that I just needed to change the bin to change from 305 to 350 (400).

A third somewhat unrelated question has to do with exhaust. I have a set or rear dump manifolds from the van the 400 originally came from. They are pre O2 sensor. Can they be modified to accept the O2 sensor or would I be smarted to put a small "adapter" between the manifold and the rest of the exhaust system.

But then again I may be smarter to just bite the bullet aand go with headers for the better flow. Again I favor the manifold for 2 reasons.
One I Have them and they can be changed out at a later date and two it would be less expensive at stage 1. There is a limited supply of money
for this project and money spent on 1 item is not available for something else until the FUN money pot get a recharge.

Still a long time before the truck hits the road I fear, but I am sure I will be mounting the engine and setting it up for a test run long before that.

Again thanks to all the great contributers who have shared their experiences.

Re: Advise needed
 

'89 f-body is still MAF. Just uses a newer/better code base then the '85 - '88 MYs. As far as staying MAF, or going '7730 and SD, my preference is the '7730. This is due to the issues with the '7165 ECMs and MAF systems.

Since you need to tune, data logging is a must. The '7165 ECMs aren't that reliable with data logging. Other then that, nothing wrong with an f-body MAF set up.

For the O2 sensor, just have a mount welded into the exhaust pipe. Try to keep it close to the exhaust manifold and can run a 1-wire O2.

RBob.