So, I'll try to make a long story short....

I have a decent 383 in my '88 Formula right now. I have a 350 from a '91 in my garage.

The 383 long block is built, but has the stock intake. Major bottle neck, I know. The 350 is also built, but has an Accel Super Ram and other goodies like an Accel DFI.

Obviously the 350 is speed density, and the 383 is MAF. But my thoughts were to put the Accel intake, SD computer and harness in the Firebird, along with a manual trans swap. And take the 350 w/ the stock TPI and 700r4, and put those in my '73 Nova. As for the tranny swap, I have a complete WCT5 tranny swap. Don't worry, I'm not even considering putting that tranny behind a 383! But I do have the pedals and what ever else I'll need. I need to decide between a T56 or Tremec. That'll come later.

The Nova is my wife's car. I'll be driving it every once in a while, but it doesn't need to be too fast. Just fun to drive, gas "friendly" and reliable. So that's why I feel it's OK to stick with the stock TPI. Maybe later I'll go bigger runners, and port the base and whatever else. And yes, I know I'll need to run a return line and all. The 350 was planned for my '81 Elcamino that is gone now.

Unfortunately I don't have any specs on the cams, I was planning on checking them with a degree wheel. Both motors are smog legal, so I'd like to keep it that way. I was planning on using the best cam, to match the intake, or get a better one if I need to. I believe both sets of heads are good. I think GMPP.

The Firebird has a lot of suspension work, and I like to turn corners. My major concern is torque and part throttle response. I'm not too concerned with top speed or high horsepower, 1.2hp/ci or 450hp would be "just fine"! And I won't be racing others. I'll probably never take it to a drag racing track. Possibly Auto X or road racing. Just a really fun car!

I'll do some research on switching from MAF to SD, (I know there are more tuning issues with SD) but I guess my question is, is this a good plan, or should I look for a better intake for my MAF'd 383? I want to go with a stick either way.

 

The intake is independent of the the control system ; MAP or MAF , can use either

If I had a existing MAF car I would install a HSR
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/alte...gal-whats.html

and keep the MAF controls; all you need is a intake swap and a re-tune.
No wiring or ECM swap required

 

Thank you, but I think you're forgetting about the ninth injector. The Super Ram doesn't have it. So that would be the first difference.

Second, HSR is NOT smog legal. So there goes that idea!

Thank you though.

 

The 9th injector isn't important. You'll need a custom tune for that 383 anyway, so when you do, just make sure it's the preferred $6E definition which doesn't use the 9th injector anyway.

Hell, unless it's real cold, the car will start fine without the 9th injector even with a tune that's designed for it.

 

Right, the ninth injector isn't needed for driveability, but the MAF system uses it, and the SD does not.

That being said, the custom tune would be easier from the Accel DFI, which is SD, rather than getting a burned chip.

Or are you saying that I can use the Accel DFI with the MAF system? I was under the impression that the two different computers are not interchangeable.

 

If you use the '89 program (6E) it doesn't use the cold start injector.
You're right, they are not interchangeable.

 

So, I would have to change the harness along with the computer to change the manifold, right? That's what I was thinking. But is it worth it?

Dyno Don, you're in Orange County right? So you're well aware of the smog police! I've been a member of this board for a while, and I've seen a lot from you. So since you're in my same situation, (California's smog laws) what would you do?

BTW, I'm just up the 57 from you. So I think we fall under the same rules. Not like for instance, Santa Barbara. My CRX came from there and it doesn't need C0 I think.

 

As noted ,
for what you propose the CSI is irrelevant ,
it only operates when cranking the engine over and as observed ,
it was deleted on the '89 MAF engines because the cold start fuel enrichment was incorporated in the tune via the 8 injectors like done on SD engines,
rather than using a separate (9th ) injector

 

Only if you wanted to use the Accel
As I said,the manifold has no bearing on the control system used.

Your SR can be used with either a MAF or SD ECM , depending on what you wish to run
Same for a TPI ,HSR , the Miniram or any other EFI intake like a single plane