Here we go, I know that it is going into a different vehicle but could you guys look over my engine combo? It is going to be topped off by a near stock GM mass airflow TPI system from a 1987 camaro 305. The only changes will be turning the fuel pressure up, a heated O2 sensor, and using a 350 ESC module. The engine combo will be as follows.

A.)Rebuilt 1992 chevy van 350 roller shortblock
B.)Rebuilt and ported 305 TPI heads
C.)1999 Vortec 350 roller camshaft
D.)Headers and Dual Exhaust
E.)TBI distributer(was already a roller cam engine and has drive gear.)
F.)700r4 w/ 2000 rpm converter
G.)High way gears

I am looking for lots of low and mid range torque as well as moderate horsepower. I am not really going to race much just haul heavy loads. I will be burning chips.

The question is will this engine run OK(didn't say great just driveable) on the stock chip until I am able to tweak a new chip enough to get it right.

 

Not really. It'll run like crap. It won't be able to make heads or tails of the airflow entering the engine. It will idle very rough. Lopey and sounding like it's dropping cylinders and then firing them back up again. My truck ran like that when I first got it running after the engine swap. It had a reasonable roller cam and Edlebrock heads. I drove it like that for about a year. I was a dumb kid and didn't know any better. It got dangerously lean at the top end, and ran pig rich at the low end. I'm very lucky I didn't do any serious internal damage to the engine running it like that. Get it running and then jump right in and try to get the fuel tables right. The rest can be fine tuned later, but that's the most important. The knock system will keep the spark in line, even if the map's off. It won't be ideal, but it won't detonate either.

Don't forget to use a 350 knock sensor too. It isn't the same as the 305.

If you can burn chips you'd be better off with a later SD system.

 

TKO, I believe the knock sensor difference is between a S/D, and MAF. The 85-89 sensor is the MAF, while the 90-92 is S/D. Each of the year descriptions are for the Corvette, Camaro, and Firebird....Tom

 

No, the 305 and 350 definately use different knock sensors. I ran part numbers before upgrading the 305 in my truck to a 350. The ESTC module, PROM, and knock sensor all carry different part numbers. The knock sensor is tuned to the frequency at which detonation occurs in a given engine. This frequency is totally different for a 350 and a 305 because of the difference in bore size.

 

You are right...Thanks for pointing that out. I was wrong...Tom

 

TKOperformance, what injection where you using on your truck?? TBI, Mass Air TPI, or Speed Density TPI.



Are you sure about the fuel delivery problems with the Mass Air. I could see having problems with a speed density but the mass air is sensing air mass not calculating it. I looked over a stock 350 TPI BIN code and see very little that isn't compatible. The overall timing table looked pretty good. The mass air tables are set to the stock mass air sensor which won't change with engine changes.

The engine already has a knock sensor because it was TBI.

 

it should run fine, except for the cam not sure about that.

i have about those mods done all except the cam, and mine runs just fine

 

The cam is pretty small as I am looking for huge torque. 191* @ .050" & .414" lift intake, 196* @ .050 & .428" exhaust.

 

Am I the only one that sees that this engine will have like 11:1 comp? And running the stock intake setup? Isn't there a difference in the injectors? And yeah, the TPI runs well at lower rpms, but he's got freeway gears with this setup? Am I the only one that see this?

 

10.4:1 to be exact. I run it with a carb on 89 octane all day long now.

 

I'm running my combo on stock 305 PROM right now.

MAF/Roller 355(cam)/Vortec Heads/SDPC base/Headers/Dual exhaust. 9.2:1 compression, if the heads are true 64CC.

All 350 specific parts are there, knock sensor, ESC, injectors.

It runs fine.

A few issues, mileage isn't as good as I think it should be being my main concern, no other serious problem areas. Can drive it to work everday and not worry about it.

I posted similar awhile back in this forum, you can probably find the post with search, I listed my issues.

 

I see nothing wrong.

In fact I did the same thing w/ a old 79vette junker block,restored it to new, a fully restored and polished MAF TPI
(Sandblaster,bench grinder and scotchbrite poor people!)

Had a nice set of LB9 heads and ran it with injectors,and knock sensor all proper for a 350. I did this all in the time of 2 1/2 months with practically no cash. and put her back in my
very clean Arizona ONLY T/A.
Im expecting a big jump in torque and some top end,
we did some head porting and I messed around with the
aluminum of the Tuned Port.
eventually going all roller after I get some extra cash.

I have pics of the whole project Ill be posting and hopefully some ETs.

I say give it a go, its affordable.
that means you can dump what cash ya got handy for some upgrades.