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02-23-2023, 09:48 PM | #1 |
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1988 C1500 carb conversion
I'm still in the hunt for a C1500. I would not keep the TBI on what ever I buy.
Any tips on converting to carb from TBI? Also it seems like most C1500 have 400 turbos. Has anyone used a Gear Vendors OD unit? |
02-24-2023, 08:06 AM | #2 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
folks I know, just change the intake, add the carb, and re do the fuel pump. Not sure how the one guy redid the stock fuel pump. I know you'll need a regulator to lower the pressure. I don't remember the details and the guy is no longer around.
Far as I know, all the 1/2 ton C1500s had a 4l60 or 4l60E. I have only seen the T400 on the 2500/3500 models.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
02-24-2023, 09:16 PM | #3 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Thanks for the reply. I haven't bought anything yet. One I'm considering a 1988 clearly states it is all original with a 400 turbo. May have been switched out from the 4L60E.
Just trying to the proper research. |
02-25-2023, 12:52 AM | #4 | |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Most had the 4L60, many had the 400. '93 was the first year of the 4L60E.
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02-26-2023, 11:32 PM | #5 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Yeah, I was surprised to learn not all these trucks had overdrive. I assumed they all did since they were so modern when they came out and overdrive became the standard in the '80s.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
03-07-2023, 11:50 AM | #6 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
TBI is a very simple and great working system. IMO it's silly to go through any work reverting to a carbed setup.
BUT....if you must, the little Mr.Gasket 12s inline fuel pump does not need a FPR and will normally suck the fuel straight through the existing in-tank pump so you don't even have to drop the fuel tank. You can also buy a carb to TBI adapter so you don't have to change the intaake. |
03-07-2023, 05:50 PM | #7 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
The truck I'm considering has a stock 305. I would be deleting the 305 and adding a 383/396 stroker. The TBI would not begin to support an engine of that size. I wonder about the control of the fuel pump. I assume it's controlled by the ECM like an LS. Does the stock ECM control anything besides the engine?
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03-07-2023, 09:16 PM | #8 | |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
It controls torque converter lockup.
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03-07-2023, 10:42 PM | #9 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
03-08-2023, 12:22 PM | #10 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Sure it will. Lots of guys running hot 383's on an almost stock TBI setup. I believe it's common practice to swap out to 454 injection and add an adjustable FPR to crank the pressure up a little bit. Then just get aa custom PROM. Easy Peasy
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03-08-2023, 09:42 PM | #11 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Thanks again or the replies. As far as I know a turbo 400 doesn't have a lock up converter.
So can someone point me to some threads converting to a 454 TBI? Also to whom might be able to modify a prom? I'm not planning a real radical SBC. |
03-08-2023, 10:56 PM | #12 | |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
I would try a 454 computer to control the modified motor, or just the prom from one. I think certain injectors are selected also to keep things in range.
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03-09-2023, 09:48 AM | #13 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Did you check the link in my last post? Seems to be "the man" on this topic. I have thoughts of installing the TBI and 4L80E out of my '95 into my '72 K2500 if and when I'm done with the '95. I plan to build a 383 for the '72
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
03-09-2023, 11:20 AM | #14 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
The stock 454 TBI is around 670cfm where the 350 TBI is only around 500. The 454 unit will bolt to the stock 350/305 intake manifold but you have to open up the holes as the 454 unit has a 2" bore vs the 350 at about 1 3/4". Bump up the fuel pressure to 20-25psi. It will run fine on the stock 350 ECU but a custom chip will work much better. The TBI really is a simple system that works well.
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03-09-2023, 06:53 PM | #15 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Yeah I did miss the link. Thanks for that. I will check it out. This TBI stuff is all new to me. I went from SBC to LS years ago and didn't look back.
Although I haven't bought anything yet I'm looking for more of a retro look engine wise with a good increase in power. |
03-09-2023, 09:38 PM | #16 | |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Quote:
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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03-09-2023, 09:57 PM | #17 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
I'm not Larry Smith. I have been going back and forth to keep the SBC or go LS dressed like a SBC. It's hard to make a LS look like a SBC completely due to the steam cross over and water pump. Plus hiding the coils.
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03-10-2023, 09:43 AM | #18 |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Yeah. They look good at a glance. It will bug me to see Vortec heads on a SBC once I use them. It just doesn't look right without the signature paired exhaust ports, but 50hp is a lot of gain.
In the mid-90s I built a pro-street '69 Stepside big block sleeper using a 450 horse LS6 crate motor. I dressed it to look like the original 396 except for the custom taller dual snorkel air cleaner. The rear wheels where custom-built steelies I ran hubcaps on. I like what you plan for thise build
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
03-17-2023, 08:35 AM | #19 | |
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Re: 1988 C1500 carb conversion
Quote:
https://www.lsclassic.com/coil-reloc...-plug-wire-set
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