Ok, I've got an 88 Silverado 2500 with a 454 and currently its a gutless wonder

In 4WD its not so gutless but theres an obvious reason for that one, lol...

Currently it has an exhaust leak I am going to be fixing shortly...

After this though, if its still gutless, what would I need to do?

Someone told me that it was running lean because it needed a new fuel filter... but I'm unsure on how accurate that information is...

I've been thinking of swapping over to carb and putting a new cam in it and adding full length headers... it has a chip in it but I'm not 100% sure which one...

Anyone have some suggestions? I hate how gutless it is right now, it doesn't tow anything worth a crap and I wanna fix this...

Keep in mind it doesn't have the guts to even do a burnout which I know they are capable of doing with ease ... even with 100% new tread I know these things can do it!!

 

I'd start off with a full tune-up before you did anything else. I mean a full tune-up too. Plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor, fuel filter, check the timing, ect., ect., ect. Only then would I consider modification/further investigation into your lack of power.

-Mark W.
'88 SC Camaro w/ 305 TBI

 

hrm, ok I forgot to post about having that being done next week my bad...

I mean after that if its still gutless, what do you think would be wrong?

 

I would stick with the TBI. If your tune up doesn't do enough for you. Put your money in cam heads intake and headers and that 454 will go from mild to wild. Those 454's only put out 230hp stock and were capable of SOOO much more. Heads cam and intake can push thing into the 400+hp range. That's how bad the factory stuff is.

 

I believe that an intake (idle-5500rpm style) and a "mellow" cam only along with PROM changes would give you at least 50hp/75lb-ft of torque... Maybe more. Pretty cheap, too.

EDIT: Before you spend too much money ($2000+ for GOOD heads, cam,etc) on the 454, I would honestly consider buying the HT502 crate motor. Only like $4600 (?) with a nice warranty and you could sell your 454 motor for a pretty good price. Now THAT would have some nads/torque and be a bolt-in with your existing accessories/etc. GM even has a PROM and FPR to help you get started but I would be more PROM work would make that motor an axle breaker... 500lb-ft, I would bet.


[This message has been edited by FastBroker (edited July 11, 2001).]

 

look intothe basic ultimate tbi mods, timing, Iat resister, and stuff likethat. an exhaust is always a good idea, as well as an edelbrock performer tbi intake, yes they make one for hte big block too.

lata
tim

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you mention nothing about how many miles is on the engine or if it has limited slip, check the compression. i rebuilt a 454 with all stock pces, which included the dish pistons and i could still spin a 36x12.50x15 mudder tire to the cords. you have a pcm in this truck and i found that my power enrichment mode would never come in because the prom was programmed this way. why! i have no idea. read your bin.

if i were you just check compression, timing, and if good rework you chip.

 

Your '88 has an ECM. If you have been performing the required maintenance at required intervals, there would probably be no question about the fuel filter. Many TBIs can run very well on relatively low fuel pressure, but still require adequate fuel flow, especially on such a large displacement.

The ECM would be setting an error code if the mixture were that lean, but you can monitor the mixture if you wish by using the Field Service Mode and watching the MIL lamp flashes.

How many miles are on the engine?

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Vader
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ya vader your correct it is a ecm, i been reading several posts today and thought this fellows engine was a 92 not 88. should of read more carefully. still wot delay in the constants could be incorrect.