TBI swap
 

Years and years ago a friend convinced me to do a TBI swap on my pickup and well he never finished it. I purchased a premade harness and we went to the junkyard for most of the parts.

I don't know much about TBI or carburetors for that matter so I never finished it myself but I've decided to finally try it. My truck has been sitting for too long and in the 10 + years I've owned it I've only driven it 3 times.

Now I have a few questions, I hope someone can answer for me. They probably are stupid question but I don't know the answer so here goes.

1) where does the connector that's cut on top of the coil go to?
2) which side of the throttle body is the fuel inlet and outlet?
3) how do I bend the fuel tubing so I don't pinch it. I did that on the first try.
4) where can I connect the oil pressure switch?
5) do I need the VSS?
6) I had to block off the egr since it sits under the throttle body and there is no room for it. Does that affect it?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Re: TBI swap
 

1. Pink wire is power from the ignition. You'll probably pick that up at the fuse box like people that convert to HEI. The white wire is a tach signal. More importantly, there is another connector on your distributor that needs a harness that goes to the computer.

2. I want to say the drivers side but I honestly don't remember. I would have to look at a throttle body I have at work to figure it out.

3. The factory used heavy stainless tubing that is very hard to bend. Not possible with hand tools. The easiest would be to buy some AN fittings and make new lines.

4. There is a pipe tap down by the oil filter that will accept the electric sending unit but honestly, you don't need it unless someone has done some funny wiring. From the factory they used that sender for a gauge and backup/redundant power to the fuel pump relay.

5. No, VSS is not necessary to make it run and drive. It's main function was speedometer, cruise control input and transmission torque converter lockup input.

6. I would get rid of EGR also. Not needed in your application.

Re: TBI swap
 

If you have a pick and pull close by you should be able to find fuel lines in good shape. I reused 1993 Caprice fuel lines, got new new quick connectors for the tubing.

Re: TBI swap
 

Lets start with WHAT was this off of? a TBI truck.. or a 80's v8 car..

This will help get you answers..


I got questions..

1) what ecu are you using and what is it out of?
2) what harness, whom made it , and what was it claimed to be for?
2) which side of the throttle body is the fuel inlet and outlet? need to know what the tib is off of.. for all we know it's off a ford or a mopar
---3) how do I bend the fuel tubing so I don't pinch it. I did that on the first try. As seen as I'm going to guess you don't have much in the ways of tools, I'd stop by a local junk yard and get the feed and return lines off a tbi v8.. as they are already bent, and you can connect to your line at a straight part of the line..
---4) where can I connect the oil pressure switch?There is a port beside the distributor you most likely have to use an elbow.. to install it..
---5) do I need the VSS? depends, need to know what the ecu is from and if it is as the factory programed it, or if it's been reprogramed,

----I had to block off the egr since it sits under the throttle body and there is no room for it. Does that affect it? What intake you using, I'd go get the oem tbi intake .. as then the tbi will clear everything.. You don't "need " egr but it helps with part throttle pinging, and keeps the cyl head temps in check.. and NOx gases down.. Many heads have cracks because people remove the egr..

need more info..




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Re: TBI swap
 

I would follow others suggestions and use the fuel lines from the donor make and model. The ecu will have to be programmed to get rid of the vss. You can buy custom chips. You can use a regular hei dist. Just need to answer the question if you want the ecu to control timing. If not use regular hei dist. If using the ecu for timing you will have to remove the weights. This is a great conversion easy to do just do a little homework. Or you can buy a conversion kit and make it easier. Howell efi.com has a lot of info and parts.

Re: TBI swap
 

He'll need the reference signal from the distributor or the injectors won't fire.

I'm not sure if the module in a regular mechanical advance HEI will supply the correct signal. it's been a while since I've scoped that circuit. Non-GM computer would be different.

Re: TBI swap
 

The harness I purchased off eBay. It says 1985 to 1992 cars and trucks. http://www.ebay.com/itm/132110023105

The ecu I beleive to be stock. no 1227747. It was given to me by my buddy but I never thought to ask if it had been reprogrammed though I doubt it was. If it had been reprogrammed he probably would have wanted me to pay for at least that.

The throttle body was also given to me. I posted a picture. The numbers on the side are 17093033 a1155kjl

All the rest of the parts were pulled off different vehicles at the pull a part.

The missing distributor connector is there, I just need to figure out routing to get it connected.

Will an intake manifold swap out of a tbi truck? I don't know why I was under the impression the heads were different so it wouldn't work.

Thanks for the help!

Re: TBI swap
 

All along as throttle plates clear your adapter, you're fine.

The computer is fine also. ASDU is the chip for a 1989 Truck with a 350 700R4.

Re: TBI swap
 

Thanks!