Ok, I was going to do a search for this since I know it has probably been answered already...But the search is dissabled..

I want to do a TBI swap on my truck.
I got a 388 stroker and have an oportunity to score a complete set up from a running 1988 big block dually.
there are a few differences that I noticed such as the distributor is different (non HEI) and it has an EGR. If I strip out the loom for this swap, does anyone know what I have to remove or add to my truck to make it work?
or does someone have a link to a write up on what to do or where to go for info??
Any help is appreciated.

Try:
www.customefis.com Be careful about buying from this guy, but read.
www.chevythunder.com Mainly TPI, but some TBI and both are very similar.

You will need a custom chip, but starting with the 454 unit is a great step up. You might try Affordable fuel injection for pieces and parts, or www.tbichips.com

Keep all the sensors you can. If your heads are capable of EGR? I suggest you run it. It will operate better, and get better mileage. Also, you must run VSS (vehicle speed sensor). Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't have a rig that runs right.
Keep reading....

WOW,
that's alot of reading...
I figured that by using a big block system I would have the right size injectors to start with for feeding my engine.
I printed it all up so I have copies of it.
Also I have dual exauhst with no Cat's is this a problem with an O2 sensor? or am I going to need 2 of them?
If I get a wiring harness from another truck that is a couple of years older and use it for the 88 hardware that I have will that work? or are they year specific?

I would just buy a harness from painless. If you choose to use a junkyard harness. You can get the schematic off the ChevyThunder site. I would think it wouldn't matter what harness or ecm you used, but I would talk to someone with more TBI experience than myself.

I have diagrams on my site, http://www.efitune.com/manuals

Make sure you get the drac module, some are little grey/white boxes, some are different. Also get the aldl connecter/wiring for the ecm.

I have diagrams on my site, http://www.efitune.com/manuals

Make sure you get the drac module, some are little grey/white boxes, some are different. Also get the aldl connecter/wiring for the ecm.

Curious why you mention a DRAC?

Being an 88 donor I would think it should be a 1227747 or possibly the 8747.

Using a VSS for street driving is simple with the JTR VSS.

If it's off road only I don't see the VSS even coming into play.


If it's the 7747 then all tuning/monitoring software is avail free on the web.
Helps cut the cost of the conversion.

Hardware from Moates will run about $100 to burn your own chips.

Some of the best tuning references I have read are in the DIY-PROM forum on the thirdgen site!!

I hesitate to post it but most of my installation information is listed HERE. (http://www.binderbulletin.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75) Start at the top in the FAQ!!!

I don't discuss specific tuning (and in your case with the 383 and cam...you will need it!) and most is for non GM conversion to GM TBI.
But the information applies.


HTH

VSS is also used for idle not just the speedo.

Oh boy, this is getting involved.. my head is starting to hurt....LOL
Thanks for the link Bill great reading and info that I can use..

The cam I am running does not have a ton of lift on the intake side...
it does have more lift and duration on the exhaust so I get more torque at lower rpm's.
I do have a question about a distributor..... Right now I have HEI and like it.(less wiring to worry about)
Is there an HEI for the set up I am doing? or do I just get one with the seperate coil? like the truck I am getting the stuff from??
I will be driving it on the steet so I will get a vss unit for it.
Again guys thanks for the wealth of information.. I am enjoying learning something new and using it to make my hobby that much more enjoyable...

You could use the distributor from 1986 thru 91 corvette. It has the built in coil in the distributor.

I think the 454 will be too big for your setup and you'll end up running too rich overall, the larger throttle body will be a plus tho. HEI is generally better but a non HEI from a camero/firebird has alot better aftermarket coil selection and alot of corvette guys actually switch over because of that. You will need to burn a chip regardless or it will never run correctly, good swap to do just pay attention and follow the diagrams,etc.

the reason I was looking at the bigger set up is I have a stroker.
The cam is not so big that it lopes much but it has considerable power.
compression is about 9.7 to 1 with flat top pistons and everything is balanced ported and polished.
I have to run the big Q-jet on it to feed it, the stock 400 carb I had would not run right.
I am going to run the distributor you mentioned, (non hei) I got to thinking about space and stuff, and I think I would like a little smaller unit back there, plus tune-ups would be easier.
I plan on getting a tbi intake, got an aluminium one lined up with the 2" bore all ready to go for free... whoo hoo..
I want to do this right, no half assed.. so I want all the sensors and such working right so it will run at it's best and perform it's best.
I am getting everything in order and printing alot of diagrams so I will be ready to do it right the first time..

What info do I need to supply someone to burn a chip for me?

Is this the chip burner (http://www.moates.net/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=48)that I will need it I want to do it myself?

Go here www.smokeemup.net. Talk to Josh Salley. He has a built 383 in his 4WD suburban, and he is running the large throttle body, cam, and heads along with a carb intake. He built the motor and did the tuning himself. He would be a great guy to talk to.

The requirement for vss Depends on what year the doner stuff is atleast in big blocks... My 89 C3500 and my 90 V3500 didn't have it new as both run a speedo cable.

That burner looks like it would work (if moates uses it or sells it then it's correct), if it has a speedo cable then the VSS part is at the back of the speedo most likely. Plenty have run the 747 ecm without vss but If you can't seem to calm your erratic idle that's the reason why. I havn't done one of these in a couple years. 454 injectors can dump alot of fuel :)

If I use the 454 tbi for the extra CFM then can I change the injectors in it from the smaller 350 tbi unit so it does'nt dump so much fuel?

If I use the 454 tbi for the extra CFM then can I change the injectors in it from the smaller 350 tbi unit so it does'nt dump so much fuel?

Yes, but still using the stock memcal from a 454 would then make it run really lean :) Personally I would start with 350 injectors and a 350 memcal (chip), wiring, ecm, etc should all be the same but nothing will be hurt to try the 454 inj/memcal just don't run it if its really rich for long. Will run great once tuned in just at first don't expect much till you figure out what it really needs.

ok I think I am getting lost here..

Sorry.. What's a memcal?
If I am reading you right it would be easier to start with the 350 stuff and go up from there rather then the other way around??

Or you could just buy a harness and chip?
http://www.affordable-fuel-injection.com/tbi-wiring-harness.htm

Depending on cam specs we would use the 454 TBI unit on this size motor. VSS is not needed for a TBI system.

The small cap external coil distributor in the 454 would be the way to go. It is controlled by the ECM for spark curve.

OK sold, that is the way I will go.. I thought it was the right choice to begin with..
Thanks..
I am going to use the small cap distributor too....
Thanks everyone for your info..
I can't wait to get started...
It'll be nice to see the difference this year on the Con with the new set up..

Or you could just buy a harness and chip?
http://www.affordable-fuel-injection.com/tbi-wiring-harness.htm

Depending on cam specs we would use the 454 TBI unit on this size motor. VSS is not needed for a TBI system.

The small cap external coil distributor in the 454 would be the way to go. It is controlled by the ECM for spark curve.
This is the guy to work with for the TBI system. I'd still hook up VSS as it's simple, and will give you better idle quaility.
He'll adjust your injector pulse width for the 454 to make it work with the 388. Good Luck

The requirement for vss Depends on what year the doner stuff is atleast in big blocks... My 89 C3500 and my 90 V3500 didn't have it new as both run a speedo cable.

The old body style trucks have a VSS built into the speedo head. I thought the '90 had an electronice speedo, but it may be the 1-ton is different.


Also I have dual exauhst with no Cat's is this a problem with an O2 sensor? or am I going to need 2 of them?


It will work fine with 1 O2 sensor; just put it in the manifold or the collecter if running headers. No cats is not an issue either.

Pete

I got one more dumb question....

can I use the distributor from the big block donor or are they different from the small block that I have?

The distributors are the same from big and small blocks

Cool, thanks............
Can't wait to get started on the conversion...

The old body style trucks have a VSS built into the speedo head. I thought the '90 had an electronice speedo, but it may be the 1-ton is different.
Pete

Thank you, I just junked a 90, thought I had everything for the conversion but didn't take the dash pod.... I just went back and got it so you saved me a lot of trouble. It was a 400/205 if that matters as to why it still used a cable.

Thank you, I just junked a 90, thought I had everything for the conversion but didn't take the dash pod.... I just went back and got it so you saved me a lot of trouble. It was a 400/205 if that matters as to why it still used a cable.


A real easy solution is to just use the JTR inline VSS. For TBI it's the 2PRS IIRC.
2000 pulse.

About $75 and you just put it inline of your speed O cable.

A real easy solution is to just use the JTR inline VSS. For TBI it's the 2PRS IIRC.
2000 pulse.

About $75 and you just put it inline of your speed O cable.

Planning to do a TBI swap myself and that is what I was thinking about doing.

Been running mine for almost 2 years. Also tied it into my after market cruise control.

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/V8-chapters/V8-tpi-Speed-Sensors.pdf

There are 4 types of VSS signals required by the ECM:
1. The two-pulse (2000 pulses per mile) square wave (D.C current or direct current) used on all TBI
engines thru 1992, all computer-controlled-carbureted engines, and on 1985-1989 TPI engines.
2. A four-pulse (4000 pulses per mile) sine-wave (A.C. current or alternating current) signal is
required by the 1990-1993 TPI, 1992-1993 LT1 engines, and 1990-1993 Camaro 3.1/3.4 V6
engines.
3. A 40 pulse per driveshaft revolution speed sensor used on 1993 and newer trucks with automatic
transmission, 1994 and newer rear drive cars with the automatic transmission
4. A 17 tooth per driveshaft revolution speed sensor used on 1993-1997 LT1 engines with the Borg-
Warner 6-speed transmission. An 11 tooth reluctor ring is used on 1993 LT1 engines with the
Borg-Warner wide ratio (3.35 First gear) 6-speed transmission.
http://www.binderbulletin.org/photopost/data/531/1534SpeedSensors.gif

A real easy solution is to just use the JTR inline VSS. For TBI it's the 2PRS IIRC.
2000 pulse.

About $75 and you just put it inline of your speed O cable.

We used one of those on my brother's '70 K5, works fine. I used the stock one in my truck, since it was already there and paid for. Only disadvantage I can really see to the stock setup is that if your cable gets bad/jumpy, it could mess things up. It is nice to be able to keep the wires inside the truck instead of under it though.

I don't know if all the 80's trucks had the VSS or not, but any truck that had electronic cruise control or a computer-carb or TBI would have one. Mine was a diesel with cruise, so it had one. The electronic cruise trucks have the speedo cable running directly to the speedometer, the older setup had a box mounted somewhere on or near the drivers side fender with one cable running to the t-case, and one to the speedo.

Pete

It is nice to be able to keep the wires inside the truck instead of under it though.

I was thinking this myself. Keeping the wires inside would be an advantage. The JTR one and the stocker have their trade offs.

If you get the stock one when you rip out all the stuff it's basically free so I'd say that's the better one :)

I got my parts in order now and in the process of organizing the :eek:

wiring.... :fun..:shaking:

My question is about the O2 sensor. I am running block hugger headers, do you think I will need to do a 3 wire or will the single wire sensor work just fine. I was thinking that since it will be so close heat should not be a problem but I thought I'd get a little input from everyone who has done this...

If you put it in the collector it'll work. It will just take longer to go closed loop than with a 3 wire.

I would just put the one-wire in the collector. I have full length headers w/a one wire and it still goes closed loop.

Pete

Got one more little question???

Where should I get the power from for the ECM? Can I use the wire that used to go to my HEI?
I noticed that a couple of write ups mentioned using a relay.. Is there an advantage to this?

Typically using a relay is always a good idea because a relay is able to control an output circuit of higher power than the input circuit.