I'm starting a new post because my last one isn't getting much response, and I thought this title would attract more people After doing even more searching on the net, and seeing as how I want to pull the RS out of storage next week and get the ball rolling, I need an answer quick on the following...

I've read, in depth and multiple times, the 350 swap sticky at the top. I got it all. With that said, I am aware now that the LO5 9C1 engine uses a TPI cam. I assume this engine is NOT equivalent to an L98 long block because the heads are different, correct? This means that if I swapped in a reman L98 long block with all the proper parts listed in the sticky, it will not run because the tune is off due to the heads...correct?

Second, is there a source from which I can get an LO5 long block with a 9C1 cam already installed, or is that not possible? I was thinking of calling Scoggin Dickey and finding out about this. If so, I can swap the proper 350 parts in, and I'll be ok, correct? They made 350/5 speed LO5 pickups...is that the chip I need? Or, are the "dreaded" tbichips.com for an M5/350 combo an acceptable option? I've seen his stuff on eBay, and he claims to make chips that work for someone who has swapped a 305 TBI for a 350 TBI.

If someone, ANYONE can give me some advice, that would be great. A fellow member said in my other thread because of the M5, to not try swapping a 350 in...however the sticky leads me to believe this is ok. I need to do something that will have as few issues as possible, as I am not doing the swap. The Chrysler dealer I work for will be doing this swap for me, on the clock...I get labor 1/2 off, and a great tech doing the work, but I need to set things up for him.

If I can't get an answer, I'll have to have them repair the head gasket on my existing LO3...but I'd honestly rather put that $$$ towards an LO5 swap, if it will work. Sorry for the novel...if anyone can help, I REALLY appreciate it. This has been driving me nuts for days now!

 

On a quick side note, I have posted over in the Exhaust section about headers...I'm trying to figure out if my "fabbed in" Magnaflow and cat will work with proper 3" headers, or whether I will need to go with a TES 2 1/4" system for easier fitment. Therefore, when responding please assume the car will have a full aftermarket exhaust along with the other mods in my sig...

 

I did a L-98 TBI M5 used stock 305 chip and it did fine

 

You said anyone so... I had a Lo3 a few years ago, and I didnt have tons of money but needed a new engine so I kept my tbi setup. A lo5 will work with you t5 tranny, but to be honest no engine swap is gona be a walk in the park. I bought a remanufactured l98 with a slightly bigger cam and little more bore, which was meant for a tpi induction but I got a deal on this engine 2200$. Not sure how much help I can be but, let me just tell you a few things that would have been much help. Be careful chosing your intake manifold because I went with the edlebrock performer tbi and it didnt have everything it needed to work right. It had to have a hole drilled in for a sensor or egr or somthing. Also, the stock lo3 ecm and chip aint going to cut it. I went threw 6 mail ordered chips before I got one that would even run decent. Dont go with hypertech, and if you go with tbichips make sure you tell them every single thing about the engine. The first chip probably will run like crap. I could have saved a ton of money in assorted bs if I had just kept the lo3. My advice is, it sounds like you want some fresh ponies and everywhere you go you hear "350" yea well 350s are great but the swap is a hassle and you honestly wont gain much with an lo5. Fix your head gasket, maybe go with a different head nothing crazy. Some 416s or somthing, and through in a lt1 cam, easy tuning, quite common, and with a good exhaust, breather, and possably 55 or 61# injectors I think you'l be more than satisfied, hope it helped let me know what you end up doing.

 

You need to drill out a hole for the bolt tha holds a/c bracket to the intake manifold. Not a big deal because Performer tbi has the place to drill already prepared in the casting.
Whats upsetting is that the bores for the tb are 43mm vs 45mm stock.


I agree with stay away from hypertech.
Did you datalog and send datalogs to your chip maker?

 

A couple comments...

1) NowTheBadNews, how long did you run the car for? And it had no issues? I read the post after yours, and its the total opposite. Is this swap literally a luck-of-the-draw type thing? I mean, its amazing the amount of luck, or bad luck, to be had with this.

2) camshaft, I am already aware of needing the computer and chip for a 350. Who did you end up going with for your chip? tbichips did get it right for you? I'd love to mod the 305 and leave it alone, however no one around here burns chips, and I can't do it on my own. I want to get in the car, turn the key, have it run, pay my bill, and drive away. Some posts claim I can do that with the right parts...others say its too much hassle. I don't know what to believe anymore!!

I thought if I followed the sticky thread, I'd be all set...but maybe I won't be? I already have $8,500 tied up in this car...there is no money that can be wasted here. If I didn't have the head gasket puking oil all over the undercarriage of the car, I wouldn't even be attempting this.

Despite the fact that the sticky claims I can do this with no real issues, I'm beginning to really wonder. camshaft, if you can let me know about the chip, I'd sincerely appreciate it...thanks again.

 

Yes I eventually got a decent chip from tbichips. The first 3 were hypertech and literally wouldnt run the car. As far as datalogging man I wish so bad that I knew more about it. I didnt but I did try to tell them some things I thought were wrong like I could tell it was running rediculously rich one time. I know the potential is there with tbi but you really got to know what your doing. The best chip is going to be from the person that drives the car you know what i mean? Being able to burn your own is really the best tune but if your like me and dont have equipment and even if I did it would be like reading chinese then you can go with a tbichip. However there is a place Im about to order a new one from because they seem to know what there doing, gmtuners.com I believe. I really know what you mean about the no wasting $ thing trust me Ive got around 10g in my car because of impatience, unexperience, and less then reputable folks. Imho stick with the lo3 if you want to be able to get in it everyday and have somthing durable. I know you want that l98 cam but once again imho not being your own chip burner, and going with a different cam in a tbi motor is really quite a bhuch. If you want to put in the 180hp version lo5 I dont think you would need much tuning, the chip you have now would probably be ok. If a cop caprice had the l98 cam then maybe just try to get one of their chips. I dont know if you'll be able to find a fresh or remanufactured lo5 with that cam, but maybe just get the 9c1 chip, the cam, and put that in as you do the swap.

 

Id say include, old laptop, ALDL cable (usb or serial according to laptop), 200$ coustom tbichips, free Vinaldl datalog program to the bill.
Some drive arounds to datalog, e-mail datalogs to your chip maker and no more tuning issue.

For datalogging you plug ALDL cable from the laptop into ALDL under drivers side dash, turn engine on, open vinaldl program, click start datalogging, save the data after short drive around, turn engine off and unplug cable.

 

Well, I have a laptop with a USB, so that's easy. You're saying a custom tbichips.com chip is $200? Do I give them the specs, and have them send me a chip to start? I don't want to try hobbling the car around on the stock 305 chip...

 

Thats how it was some time ago.

Since you have the laptop get yourself the ALDL cabel and save some datalogs before upgrading so you get an idea of the numbers and knock counts for reference.

http://www.aldlcable.com/sc/details.asp?item=aldlobd1u

 

I have a few questions i was wondering if you could answer for me. I'm going to drop a LO5 in my 91 Vert. I have a LO3 now. Its old. tired and In general in poor shape. I'm not entirely sure i am understaning everyting correctly in this thread. What i want to know is can i put the LT4 hot cam package Heads and Cam into a LO5 and Run that. I have a 350 intake with a 454 TB on top. so i'm thinking i should be able to deliver enough air and gas with that 454 throttle body on it. Will the LT4 heads adn cam work in this motor?

My seccond question is, Where can i get the data loging program. I am going to attemp to burn my own chip. I have a ECM for a LO5 i'll be starting with. an I will use the cable/laptop to data log it and see how well i can do. My hope is i can get it tunded in if not, i'll get it as close as possable and then send the results to a chip burning company. Any thoughts and suggestions on this?

I know just enough about this to get my self in a sticky situation i cant get out of lol any advice anwers would be great.

Thanks,
-Randy-

 

Not to be a richard, but I think your in over your head. If this car is a daily driver it's probably best not to jump into somthing like this.Also, take my word for it, you cant rely on a company to get your tune right.

 

TBIchips.com did my chip and it kicks but and walks the dog!!!!!

 

Yea, if your profile is all correct I'd say that would be a very easy chip to burn, because you dont have any aftermarket mods, like cam or heads, or headers, or rearend. I would suspect a stock Lo3 wouldnt be much to tune, maybe advance the timing, or somthing similar.