88 chevy 350 swap

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Chevyzilla

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Btw great site
88 chevy 1500

Ok so i been looking into this with not much luck...I will be pulling out my stock 350 tbi and 700r4 and dropping in a 383 stroker with a th350 behind it.. Here is the fun part
1= Does the computer control everything or just the engine and gauges any wiring diagrams would be great
2= Are the sensors on the motor different from early model engines i will be replacing the gauges with new mechanical ones not a big deal to but if i can keep some would be nice
3= Has anyone else done this and if so tips and tricks would be great
Yes i know i will lose mpg with out the tbi but im not a big fan of it or that computer i would just buy a older truck but here in east texas you cant find a c20 for under 7000 and thats a rusted out one. She's been a good truck but the 700r4 is going and so is the engine. thanks in advanced for any help.
 

Jackedup92

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Btw great site
88 chevy 1500

Ok so i been looking into this with not much luck...I will be pulling out my stock 350 tbi and 700r4 and dropping in a 383 stroker with a th350 behind it.. Here is the fun part
1= Does the computer control everything or just the engine and gauges any wiring diagrams would be great
2= Are the sensors on the motor different from early model engines i will be replacing the gauges with new mechanical ones not a big deal to but if i can keep some would be nice
3= Has anyone else done this and if so tips and tricks would be great
Yes i know i will lose mpg with out the tbi but im not a big fan of it or that computer i would just buy a older truck but here in east texas you cant find a c20 for under 7000 and thats a rusted out one. She's been a good truck but the 700r4 is going and so is the engine. thanks in advanced for any help.
So youre going from a tbi back to a carb I love it!! I done the same thing with my 92. I dropped an 88 motor in it but I kept the tbi. Some of the sensors are gonna be different. But if you will just swap the old sensors to the new motor whichever ones you can u should be ok. Only thing I would worry about is the what’s gonna feed the ignition module because on later engines the timing is adjusted by the computer that’s why it’s set to 0 degrees with the ecm unhooked. That way when u connect the ecm the computer takes over and adjusted it. However certain sensors like map and iac actually dictate how much fuel is being pumped in but if your not running injectors it shouldn’t matter. Just a hook it up and see what happens kinda deal it seems to me
 

7thdarkangel

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I have a 406 sbc carb in my truck now. Its real easy. Trashed the stock dizzy and put a mechanical hei in. The only sensors i used where the oil sender and temp sender for the gauges. Ran the fuel lines through a regulator because the stock fuel pump has too much pressure or a carb. also rewired the pump relay to turn on with the key/switch. if you dont do that the computer will shut the pump off because it's not seeing oil pressure(i didnt put the sensor on my block) I believe the without the computer the stock gauges wont work so i keep mine.
 

Chevyzilla

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classicdash.com has a cluster that works with mech gauges i will need to run a oil line in to the cab for oil pressure.. Forgot to ask is there a way to gut the fuel pump in the tank but keep the float working was going to use the mech fuel pump thats on the 383.. The Ecu is coming all out so the timing should be basic i like to keep a engine simple that and parts for this stuff are not cheap tbi injectors etc.... and does the ecu have anything to do with the ac at all
 

7thdarkangel

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classicdash.com has a cluster that works with mech gauges i will need to run a oil line in to the cab for oil pressure.. Forgot to ask is there a way to gut the fuel pump in the tank but keep the float working was going to use the mech fuel pump thats on the 383.. The Ecu is coming all out so the timing should be basic i like to keep a engine simple that and parts for this stuff are not cheap tbi injectors etc.... and does the ecu have anything to do with the ac at all

A mech pump might pull through the stock pump. But for what it cost why not pick up a holly regulator and a mech pump block off plate? I believe the ac is stand alone from the ecu. But if you are planning on rewiring your truck to remove the ecu and harness you might want to consider picking up a shop manual of some sort for all the wiring.
 
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