Ok all, I have a tech question for ya. Either my intake gasket or a head gasket is leaking on me so rather than try and hunt it down, I'm just going to get upgraded heads and intake from summit. Now. The reason I'm doing the intake as well I'd because I swapped in an earlier 80s carbed engine in last summer but used my tbi and intake from the stock engine. I had to modify the 4 middle bolt holes in the intake to get the right angle for the bolts to go back in. I'd like to use my tbi system again, but I want to buy the correct intake manifold for the engine. Would I be able to use the tbi on a carb intake or am I going to have to switch to carb? And if that's the case, what all is involved in doing the swap? Can I use the existing fuel rails and pump? Have to delete the computer? Maybe just buy an eprom from a carbed model year? Not familiar with carbs at all so any help would be appreciated.


Also, since I'll have the top end off, is there anything I should do with the bottom end or can I just leave it be?

 

if you're buying new heads & intake, you need to ditch the TBI junk and move up to carbureted or aftermarket fuel injected. It's not overtly complicated, but both require a hefty sum in either direction to do things properly. If you go with a carb you'll need to change the whole fuel setup as well as delete the computer.

As far as your bottom end, I definitely recommend changing the cam/lifters with the heads and intake to maximize your gains since you're already stripping things apart. You will also more than likely need a gear change once you've selected the appropriate camshaft. Depending on the characteristics of the camshaft you will more than likely need to get a different torque converter as well to run properly.

 

Hmm.. I was really hoping I could do this on a budget. Aren't the sbc's basically all the same? So in theory could I buy a set of heads stock for my year (91) and bolt them onto the older block (84) and then not have to worry about even dealing with a carb swap? I'm not going for huge power here, it's my daily driver and I figure for the cost of having the heads checked/machined I could just get the el cheapo set from summit for 320 and just bolt them on? and if this would work I could buy a TBI intake as well and be good? I figured this would all just be straight bolt on and go type stuff If I need to change a bunch of internal things I guess I'll just change the gaskets

Edit: I also see there is an adapter I could buy if I have to use older style heads so I can use the older intake manifold with the TBI still? would that make things easier?

 

Be careful on chasing deals when it comes to cylinder heads because it's a great way to lose money and cost you MORE in the long run while getting less in the process. Personally I'd recommend a set of refurbished Vortec heads and intake with a TBI manifold (or adaptor; whichever). That would be better suited for what you're doing I'd think while still offering you some performance gains in the process.

You might want to establish what your budget is first, though.. there's a ton of ways you can throw down, but if you're working with $200 then you're probably better off just getting your current heads redone and eating the cost on it (as much as I hate recommending that).

 

I have up to around 800 available if absolutely necessary, but that will include paying a shop to put everything together. I'll take the heads and intake off but I'd rather have them put it all together. I figure the labor shouldn't be too much that way.

Basically what I"m trying to do is get slightly upgraded while still being straight up bolt on to reduce costs. I'll talk to the speed shop doing it before buying the parts obviously so were all on the same page, I'm just trying to get a gauge of what I'm getting into here. Will having the flat tappet cam require me to change the cam/lifters or is that with the hydraulic roller cam? If I'm getting into changing all of that as well than I think you're right with just reconditioning my current heads... If I can get away with using what's in there now temporarily then I'll certainly get the newer heads and then do the cam/lifter thing after my next check or something. I can't wait that long to save and do it at once though, I can't get rides to work every day for month lol

 

Does this sound right to anyone? I went to my local speed shop to talk options and he basically told me for the same price as doing the heads and intake i'd be better off just finding a 350 (in unknown condition) and swapping it in. He was talking like 1200 bucks just in labor. Does that soind ridiculously high to anyone else? I did my L03-L69 swap in a weekend but could have done it in a day if me and my buddy weren't taking our time and drinking beer along the way lol. Should I find another shop or does that sound legit? I'd like to do it myself but I work 7 days a week and really have to have it done as quickly as possible and with a warranty so if anything stupid happens i'm covered.

Edit: He also kept trying to tell me that TBI/TPI is garbage and that the only way to make power was with a carb. Now correct me if i'm wrong but hasn't that BS been put to rest long ago??? Like I said I would rather stay with fuel injection so I don't have to change everything out for a carb as well and he didn't even seem interested in doing it...