TBI would be my vote. I've had luck buying donor vehicles like 1/2 ton pickups or suburbans for less than a grand, yank all the goodies and part out or junk the rest. My local and state gov't use an auction style website to get rid of retired gov't vehicles, that's always been a great source for deals if you have something similar fairly local. I picked up an '87 2wd suburban last year with less than 70k on the odo. for $900 bucks and after all was said and done had less than $400 in a pretty fresh TBI setup.
Which SBC?
- Thread starter Mendocino
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I would go with the 383 also. Gobs of torque and not too much money. Ask around for a good shop or mail order from one of the bigger national companies. Smeding has a nice 383 I was looking at. No personal interest and you can see it at www.smedingperformance.com
Any bolt in engine out of a junk yard will work. $150-200. Then take your time and build the engine you have. When you finish your engine sell the junk yard engine on ebay, or rebuild it into a spare.
doing a 5.3 in my buddies rig, going to have $1000 in to it without exhaust and fuel feed to injection system figured out, after selling the trans from it, and getting the computer and wiring done. Few other nick nacks but not too much. LOOK around.
complete pullout under 20,000 miles on it.
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to clear up some info on the GM warrenty situation. GM has 2 lines of motors. If you buy a crate motor from the performance or raceing line, you WILL get the 1 year warrenty. If you but the OE replacement motor, you only get a warrenty if the car came with a V8 from GM. I did research for over a year beffore I got the correct info.
Shawn
Shawn
I just put the 350/330hp in my FJ55. What a motor, it was worth the cost.
I also just installed the 350/330 in my rig, I also bought Edelbrock proflow injection wilth it, I bought bolth from Sallee Chevrolet and got a real good deal and there warrenty says they will cover it for a year if it's installed in a J**p or a Land Cruiser.
-Scott
-Scott
new to forum and hitting this old thread...xcuse mistakes of etiquette please. just picked up a '73 FJ55 and want to pull the old/shot SBC and 3-speed to drop in something similar/easy (SBC I presume) with perhaps EFI added and put in a 5-speed while at it...cuz I want to be able to highway drive this rig under 3000 rpms someday.
Looking for advice of the most straightforward (and affordable) way to set this up...inclusive of where I will need to add adaptors or other components (eg: t-case). If/where possible, I'd like to minimize the labor cost/complexity...am willing to go 4-speed if that saves a ton of ass-ache.
thanks in advance. here's what i am pulling out and stealing from (350 with blown piston ring)
addendum: since that pic, i have added new valve covers, and new alternator... so i am predisposed to stick with same type of engine (eg: crate or rebuilt 350 SBC)
Holly makes a cool stand alone EFI system I think Edelbrock does too. We had them on our street cars back in the early 2000s God that makes me feel old saying that.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2011
- Threads
- 89
- Messages
- 3,678
- Location
- Harbour City, the New Southern Wales
- Website
- www.freewayoneentertainment.com
Captn Conch
Life Begins Above Timberline.
I bought a 93 GMC conversion van with 92,000 miles a year ago for $1100, 1 owner with lots of rust but a beautiful running TBI 350, It's the way to go. One of these days it will be at home in my '71 40.
As far as 383 why? 350 plenty of grunt, 383 eats more gas, may run hotter, cost more. No way.
As far as 383 why? 350 plenty of grunt, 383 eats more gas, may run hotter, cost more. No way.
Last edited:
The most economic way to gain "fuel injection" is with TBI. That means if you find a TBI motor to replace what you have now it will also come with center-bolt valve covers so your new ones are not usable. Your new alternator is likely also out because most TBI's use a serpentine belt.
Other option.
If the valve covers are a big deal then TBI can happen to a pre-86 carbed engine by getting all the electronics off a TBI donor motor and using a TBI adapter plate on the intake manifold. By the time you've done all this you could have purchased another set of valve covers.
NOTE .... the other change that happened in 86 was with 1-piece rear main seal which resulted in a change in bolt pattern at the crank. If you find a TBI motor you will not be able to use your old flywheel but all the other clutch components are okay.
A couple other things on your to-do list for a TBI motor .... they require a higher fuel pressure so whatever fuel pump you're using now will need a change and you will need to add a bung to the exhaust for an O2 sensor.
Other option.
If the valve covers are a big deal then TBI can happen to a pre-86 carbed engine by getting all the electronics off a TBI donor motor and using a TBI adapter plate on the intake manifold. By the time you've done all this you could have purchased another set of valve covers.
NOTE .... the other change that happened in 86 was with 1-piece rear main seal which resulted in a change in bolt pattern at the crank. If you find a TBI motor you will not be able to use your old flywheel but all the other clutch components are okay.
A couple other things on your to-do list for a TBI motor .... they require a higher fuel pressure so whatever fuel pump you're using now will need a change and you will need to add a bung to the exhaust for an O2 sensor.
1) Motor trans and T-case from a rusty 60 series (gas or diesel) with 3.70s and 33" tires, highway RPMs will be respectable.
2) SBC, Trans, T=Case from a Chevy donor and a Centered rear diff axle. Add custom driveshafts, skip adaptors.
3) SBC, 4-speed TLC Trans, Advance Adapters Bel-housing, custom shafts.
4) Vortec and 2 or 3,
5) Mercedes diesel
6, 7, 8, 9, 10....
2) SBC, Trans, T=Case from a Chevy donor and a Centered rear diff axle. Add custom driveshafts, skip adaptors.
3) SBC, 4-speed TLC Trans, Advance Adapters Bel-housing, custom shafts.
4) Vortec and 2 or 3,
5) Mercedes diesel
6, 7, 8, 9, 10....
Yes, developed mainly for folks that want to run stud girdles on center bolt heads and at about the same price as a new set of valve covers.
Captn Conch
Life Begins Above Timberline.
So, I won't be able to use my beloved vintage legendary Mickey Thompson Valve Covers if I go to the '93 tbi engine??? Possible deal breaker...Adapter you say?...Obtained where? Pricey huh...OK found them ...OUCH!
Last edited:
Not necessarily the case, they do make adapters.
These bolt to center bolt head and allow the use of perimeter bolt valve covers.
Captn Conch
Life Begins Above Timberline.
Ride on! yeah pricey but what the heck. I mean really, you gotta have the real M/T valve covers on the Chevota Cruiserlet.
I wouldnt let valve covers dictate my engine swap. Your spending 1k already. Whats 50 bucks?? I mean if they were custom tig welded tall covers for roller rockers maybe but even then. In the grand scheme of things its tiny.
