Need opinions-Keep it carbed, or EFI? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukecp · 04-05-2002, 05:33 PM

Well, i need some opinions on what to do with my truck. I have a mild 350 in it now, with a fresh rebuild. I have a Edelbrock 1406 carb, which i like so far. I am a Junior in high school, and i am going to need a pretty reliable vechicle for college in about a year. I have been thinking of adding a TBI fuel injection setup, off of a 88-95 GM truck. I want it to be reliable, but i know a carb is alot simpler, and i wont have to mess with a computer and all the other stuff. I have replaced or rebuilt everything under the hood, from the radiator to distributor, with the exception of the power steering pump, and i have a new one in the box waiting to go in. I really could use the extra $1000 for the EFI kit for tuition, but i like the convience of EFI (easy starting and better MPG). So, what is everyone's opinon on this?

------------------
Lucas

"Another proud owner of one of the coolest trucks ever built"

drop_shift@hotmail.com

My Daily-Driver: '72 Chevy LWB Custom/10. Rebuilt 350, 300 HP thanks to a few go-fast goodies. Ochre with a white top. Future plans include TBI fuel injection, a 700R4 tranny, and possibly some 3.73 rear gears.

67 C-10 LWB · 04-05-2002, 05:47 PM

obviously EFI is nice, but pricey, if you truck is good and reliable now, I would stick w/ the carb setup. I had on my previous 327 a edelbrock 750 and that ran like a top and went everywhere w/ no problems, so a carb'd engine would be fine IMO

Ean

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67 Chevy C-10 LWB, 327 bored 30 over, edelbrock performer RPM heads-cam-intake, Edelbrock 750cfm carb, headers, flowmaster 50 series, 2 1/2 inch dual exhaust, 3 on the tree

2001 Grand Prix GTP, bright red, 2 door, loaded and pretty damn fast too

1999 SeaDoo XP Limited 130hp, it gets up and moves!!!

My Site

71402BB · 04-05-2002, 05:49 PM

Well Ya it would be nice to have and you would get better MPG! But it is expencive and I would think that setting it up would be a much bigger pain in the arse then you might think. I would just hate to see you spend that much money on something then put it in to find out that you couldn't get it to run right, or have lots of problems with it. Just something to think about.

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71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's

72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!)

68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE with built 350 4-speed 4.11's and posi

lukecp · 04-05-2002, 09:20 PM

ttt

**Desert Rat** · 04-05-2002, 09:33 PM

If its running good now dont f with it,ive heard that many times in my life and guess what i f with it,and then its never the same.A efi with all the wiring,computer stuff will be expensive that converting it all into your truck would be a pain then work out all the bugs,you might get frustrared and put the old stuff back on anyway,spend the money on something more important.like school,other parts for your truck?

Mike C · 04-05-2002, 11:42 PM

Fuel injection is awesome. HOWEVER, it is EXPENSIVE!!!!! to do a proper conversion, for the most part and their will be a period of trouble shooting where it may leave you stuck. As a high schooler I would think you could spend your money better somewhere else. I drove my Jimmy while in college. It made the 350 mile trip from Lubbock to Austin and back at least once a month for 4 years, with a 300k mile Q-jet and points. Carburetors are NOT unreliable, but they do need a little routine maintenance. Same is true with points ignition. Were it me, I'd get the truck running well with HEI (keep a spare module in the glove box!!!!) put a new fuel pump on, R&R the brakes and spend the money on a nice set of tunes and a REALLY GOOD set of tires. Tires is where most people have "car trouble" anymore. Oh yeah, don't eliminate your spare...

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70 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Grande 402/TH400
72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's
64 Corvette Coupe
68 Camaro 'vert TPI & TH700
69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110
72 Datsun 240Z-ol' reliable

O'l Buck · 04-06-2002, 02:57 AM

If I have learned 1 thing in all my screwing around with vehicles, its you can't buy economy, the tbi is very expensive to repair, hard to troubleshoot and doesn't gain that much in mileage. I would stick with the K.I.S.S. technique (keep it simple stupid). I had an 87 K-10 with the tbi, hated it, always trouble, and now I have a 90 GMC jimmy with tbi and 350, not running bad, but uses alot of fuel, about 13 mpg, can't figure it out yet. My old 72 makes 12 with stock QJ and 350 auto and it's also 4X4.

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'72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84
ralleys and 31/10.5s

67 Cutlass convertible
330, 3spd stick

90 GMC Jimmy
350/auto
Chad Stephens
Orleans,NE

lukecp · 04-06-2002, 07:17 PM

Well, i thought about it some more, and i decided to go ahead and keep it carbed. I already have HEI, and i proably do need some new brake parts, lol. By the end of the summer, i hope to have in a 700R4 transmission, and that is proably all i will do to it for now. What kind of MPG should i get with the change? I get about 12 mpg right now, with 50-50 city/highway, and 3.07 rear gears. I am hoping to raise it to at least 13 around town, and hopefully 17+ on the highway....

------------------
Lucas

"Another proud owner of one of the coolest trucks ever built"

drop_shift@hotmail.com

My Daily-Driver: '72 Chevy LWB Custom/10. Rebuilt 350, 300 HP thanks to a few go-fast goodies. Ochre with a white top. Future plans include TBI fuel injection, a 700R4 tranny, and possibly some 3.73 rear gears.

nate68 · 04-08-2002, 02:41 AM

go with an overdrive first, you'll get more improvement with overdrive than efi.

I'm happy that edelbrock came out with their efi for vortec heads this year, i'm still going with overdrive first. from what i hear that low first gear is killer

04-05-2002, 05:33 PM	#1
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Need opinions-Keep it carbed, or EFI? Well, i need some opinions on what to do with my truck. I have a mild 350 in it now, with a fresh rebuild. I have a Edelbrock 1406 carb, which i like so far. I am a Junior in high school, and i am going to need a pretty reliable vechicle for college in about a year. I have been thinking of adding a TBI fuel injection setup, off of a 88-95 GM truck. I want it to be reliable, but i know a carb is alot simpler, and i wont have to mess with a computer and all the other stuff. I have replaced or rebuilt everything under the hood, from the radiator to distributor, with the exception of the power steering pump, and i have a new one in the box waiting to go in. I really could use the extra $1000 for the EFI kit for tuition, but i like the convience of EFI (easy starting and better MPG). So, what is everyone's opinon on this? ------------------ Lucas "Another proud owner of one of the coolest trucks ever built" drop_shift@hotmail.com My Daily-Driver: '72 Chevy LWB Custom/10. Rebuilt 350, 300 HP thanks to a few go-fast goodies. Ochre with a white top. Future plans include TBI fuel injection, a 700R4 tranny, and possibly some 3.73 rear gears. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

04-05-2002, 05:47 PM	#2
67 C-10 LWB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Bay City, MI, USA Posts: 452	obviously EFI is nice, but pricey, if you truck is good and reliable now, I would stick w/ the carb setup. I had on my previous 327 a edelbrock 750 and that ran like a top and went everywhere w/ no problems, so a carb'd engine would be fine IMO Ean ------------------ 67 Chevy C-10 LWB, 327 bored 30 over, edelbrock performer RPM heads-cam-intake, Edelbrock 750cfm carb, headers, flowmaster 50 series, 2 1/2 inch dual exhaust, 3 on the tree 2001 Grand Prix GTP, bright red, 2 door, loaded and pretty damn fast too 1999 SeaDoo XP Limited 130hp, it gets up and moves!!! My Site __________________ 1999 Silverado Ext Cab Short Box Z71 2006 Trailblazer (wifes) 2 '04 KFX400's My Site

04-05-2002, 05:49 PM	#3
71402BB now thats a true COON DOG Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Franconia, NH Posts: 1,977	Well Ya it would be nice to have and you would get better MPG! But it is expencive and I would think that setting it up would be a much bigger pain in the arse then you might think. I would just hate to see you spend that much money on something then put it in to find out that you couldn't get it to run right, or have lots of problems with it. Just something to think about. ------------------ 71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's 72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!) 68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE with built 350 4-speed 4.11's and posi __________________ current project 67 402BB stout th350 3.08's with a locker. Plan on tubs 18.5's out back! (thanks Burnsman!) 71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's ( was crushed by a tree, bed sold, motor pulled) was my first truck!... oh well... 72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!) 68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE work in progress, soon to have 250-I6 with a 3-speed on the tree 4.11's and posi ( currently sitting in back yard tarped awaiting time, $$$, and lots of love!) 67 1 TON- work truck 396 sm 420 4-speed, flat bed 4.57 gears "big red" (my first landscape truck, very rusty and crusty! but still gets the job done when needed!)

04-05-2002, 09:20 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	ttt __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

04-05-2002, 11:42 PM	#6
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Fuel injection is awesome. HOWEVER, it is EXPENSIVE!!!!! to do a proper conversion, for the most part and their will be a period of trouble shooting where it may leave you stuck. As a high schooler I would think you could spend your money better somewhere else. I drove my Jimmy while in college. It made the 350 mile trip from Lubbock to Austin and back at least once a month for 4 years, with a 300k mile Q-jet and points. Carburetors are NOT unreliable, but they do need a little routine maintenance. Same is true with points ignition. Were it me, I'd get the truck running well with HEI (keep a spare module in the glove box!!!!) put a new fuel pump on, R&R the brakes and spend the money on a nice set of tunes and a REALLY GOOD set of tires. Tires is where most people have "car trouble" anymore. Oh yeah, don't eliminate your spare... ------------------ 70 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Grande 402/TH400 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert TPI & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 72 Datsun 240Z-ol' reliable __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

04-05-2002, 09:33 PM	#5
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	If its running good now dont f with it,ive heard that many times in my life and guess what i f with it,and then its never the same.A efi with all the wiring,computer stuff will be expensive that converting it all into your truck would be a pain then work out all the bugs,you might get frustrared and put the old stuff back on anyway,spend the money on something more important.like school,other parts for your truck?

04-06-2002, 02:57 AM	#7
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	If I have learned 1 thing in all my screwing around with vehicles, its you can't buy economy, the tbi is very expensive to repair, hard to troubleshoot and doesn't gain that much in mileage. I would stick with the K.I.S.S. technique (keep it simple stupid). I had an 87 K-10 with the tbi, hated it, always trouble, and now I have a 90 GMC jimmy with tbi and 350, not running bad, but uses alot of fuel, about 13 mpg, can't figure it out yet. My old 72 makes 12 with stock QJ and 350 auto and it's also 4X4. ------------------ '72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84 ralleys and 31/10.5s 67 Cutlass convertible 330, 3spd stick 90 GMC Jimmy 350/auto Chad Stephens Orleans,NE __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

04-06-2002, 07:17 PM	#8
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Well, i thought about it some more, and i decided to go ahead and keep it carbed. I already have HEI, and i proably do need some new brake parts, lol. By the end of the summer, i hope to have in a 700R4 transmission, and that is proably all i will do to it for now. What kind of MPG should i get with the change? I get about 12 mpg right now, with 50-50 city/highway, and 3.07 rear gears. I am hoping to raise it to at least 13 around town, and hopefully 17+ on the highway.... ------------------ Lucas "Another proud owner of one of the coolest trucks ever built" drop_shift@hotmail.com My Daily-Driver: '72 Chevy LWB Custom/10. Rebuilt 350, 300 HP thanks to a few go-fast goodies. Ochre with a white top. Future plans include TBI fuel injection, a 700R4 tranny, and possibly some 3.73 rear gears. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

04-08-2002, 02:41 AM	#9
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	go with an overdrive first, you'll get more improvement with overdrive than efi. I'm happy that edelbrock came out with their efi for vortec heads this year, i'm still going with overdrive first. from what i hear that low first gear is killer __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.



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