RS-Chevy-SS

So I was just offered a rebuilt 350 with a intake and valve covers already installed.It would be the replacement for the extremely old and tired 305TBi in the camaro. Its set for carb. He wants 2100 for it and 3000 installed. What do I need to convert this to TBI? Should i just convert to carb? HELP! lol

RS-Chevy-SS

bump up

RFmaster

Regulator
Ask him what kind of cam he installed in it - get all specs(flat or roller, duration, etc). A wild, bottom of the page cam will be difficult to tame with a stock ECM.

Also, ask which pistons and compression that 350 is sporting. Make sure that you are getting later vintage 350 with a single piece rear seal (less chances of oil leaks) - heads casting numbers and valve job.

This is just a bare minim. A carb intake can be converted to TBI with a simple adapter plate. IMHO - I hate adapters and I always swap to a correct intake, but in interim you can run adapter plate.

To swap out and install engine is about a days work - if you are good.

//RF

RS-Chevy-SS

Will do, just texted that to him right now. So I can keep the intake thats on their? Ill post a pic of the motor

RS-Chevy-SS

RFmaster

No photo - check the angle of the four centrally located bolts. Post 87 heads are at 72 degrees and old school are 90 degrees (also newer heads can be ID by center bolt covers and old school are perimeter bolts)!
//RF

RS-Chevy-SS

The photos are up, The engine itself is about 3 hours away from me

RFmaster

Sorry OM - office firewall is blocking links to photo storage websites - later tonight.

//RF

RFmaster

Hey regulator

From camera phone photos this what I could determine:
1) Block is pre 79 - driver side dipstick.
2) Valve covers appear to be perimeter

if above is true you are looking at an engine that was built for 60/70 + early eighties application. If you can live with SPRMS and perimeter valve covers it might be ok. Now, what are internals components???
//RF

camaronewbie

$2100? Are you kidding? there better be an aweful lot of goodies inside, and dyno shets to prove it, before I'd spend brand new crate motor money on some craigslist ad motor.

My 350 was $600 carb to pan! $2100 is way too high for a 350 unless it's packing some documented punch! My entire 1997 Z28 (the whole running car with under 100k miles) was only $2800, and that was 3 years ago!

I'd think you could get a used LS1 for that, they are suposed to be pretty mean when carbed! But it is Cali - maybe everything costs a leg out there.

Wait - can you even carb a car in Cali?

Kevman

Sorry to but in, but is it possible to put TPI on pre 85 heads?

RFmaster

yes, it would require modifying four inner bolts holes. It is ugly, but can be done.