Thread: From TBI to carburator - easy?

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I want as new engine as possible in my hot rod project, but are far away from affording a crate engine. The plan is to buy a used one with not to high mileage and use this from the start.

A realtively new but cheap used engine means a TBI equipped one. I don't want to use the TBI system as it requires skills way abowe my level.

From what I've heard an early 90's TBI 5,7 liter only need a new intake manifoil, carburator, distributor and fuel pump to work without the TBI system.

Is this correct?

yes, up until 1996, the engines were virtully the same as that of 1 from 1987, which was the first year for centerbolt valve cover heads but, if you wanted early style heads, I do think they fit right on, if not, vortechs would be a nice upgrade, see, most 350's from the early 90's from what I'v heard and read, range from like 145 horse to like 225 or so which would be found in trucks.

Thanks Matt.

I've came across a 93 Caprice 5,7L engine, 87K miles from a salvage yard for 600$ plus shipping.

Seems like a fair deal to me, or?

Should still be a lot of engine left on this one?

You have to check to see if it's a 5.7L 350 or, a 5.7L LT1 engine, there 2 diffrent motors, the true 350's are common in the trucks, I think the Lt1's are in the caprice's, at least in like '96 Caprice's as my teacher has a '96 Caprice police car, from a local parks department. I'm not shure about a '93 but, you could ask or look yourself, Lt1's have a big black plastic cover over the intake manifold that reads LT1 5.7, the true TBI 350 would have a standard air cleaner ontop.

I don't think it would be hard to switch a tbi car to a carb. Have to switch intakes, a carb, a different distributor, and remove the fi fuel pump and either install a low psi pump in the tank or put one inline somewhere.

You can use the FI fuel pump , just install a bypass regulator as the FI system will have a return line . I have made this change over before . Lots of luck ,,,,,,,,,,,

Geo

why rip off the TBI?? you can buy for about $100 a computer from jegs that takes place of the standard ECU, and runs the TBI, which you will be able to pull better gas mileage and still perform her up.... and depending on which TBI system you get... you can buy carb engine manifolds that work with the TBI

Originally posted by Matt167
You have to check to see if it's a 5.7L 350 or, a 5.7L LT1 engine, there 2 diffrent motors, the true 350's are common in the trucks, I think the Lt1's are in the caprice's, at least in like '96 Caprice's as my teacher has a '96 Caprice police car, from a local parks department. I'm not shure about a '93 but, you could ask or look yourself, Lt1's have a big black plastic cover over the intake manifold that reads LT1 5.7, the true TBI 350 would have a standard air cleaner ontop.

Are the LT1 engine more difficult to rebuild with a carb?
Or was it just the price you had in mind?

What carb do you recommend?
Is it possible to get a carb, intake and distributor who will fit both the original engine and the same engine after it's rebulid with a 400hp 383 stroker kit?

Originally posted by staleg
Are the LT1 engine more difficult to rebuild with a carb?
Or was it just the price you had in mind?

What carb do you recommend?
Is it possible to get a carb, intake and distributor who will fit both the original engine and the same engine after it's rebulid with a 400hp 383 stroker kit?

I think the LT1 5.7 has no distributor and I don't know about carbing it. in 1993. they were probably still using the 350 in caprices so, I woulden't worry. Carbs and intakes for SBC fit on all SBC BUT, you might have to find a diffrent set of heads to make a aftermarket intake work or even a stock intake designed to go on a pre '87 engine. if you are going to 383, I'd get at least a 650 carb, maby 750, holley double pumper if you want performance, edle performer if you want a street driver.