open_road_toad
OBS Enthusiast
Hello everyone,
New guy here and I'm looking for some advice. I have a very nice 1988 Chevy 2wd with the stock 5.7 and 700R4 transmission (Automatic w OD and "kick down cable, no electronics). This truck was a real find for me. Bought it from the grandson of the guy who purchased it new at a local Chevy dealer. Truck had 63k miles on it when I bought it. It now has 95k. I've done a lot of maintenance related upgrades to it over the last 5 years the most recent being replacing all the front end steering components. It is my daily driver when I am not riding my motorcycle. Truck is all original with the exception of a retro tunes radio, amp and speakers.
Here is my question for you all; I need to replace the head gaskets and valve stem seals. Since I will be removing the heads I figured it would be a great opportunity to install a better camshaft. Apparently this particular engine did not come with very good heads or intake. I started down the rabbit hole of replacing/upgrading the heads, intake, convert to roller cam setup, rebuild the TBI, new fuel pump, etc. I've come to find out that there is not a lot of support for the computer that runs the TBI fuel system. So I started looking at removing that and going to a carburetor. I had a 1985 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd that I put a Edelbrock cam, lifters, intake and carb on 15 or so years ago. That thing ran and sounded great.
Adding the cost of this stuff up it is very close to the cost of doing a LS swap. I have a buddy that has a LS in a 400 series truck and he loves it. I really like the idea of modern fuel injection and a newer motor.
What are your thoughts on the direction I should go in? I'm not looking to build a "hot rod" or anything like that. I just want a reliable truck that will run to it's full potential and sound good doing it. I would like to pull a small enclosed bike trailer in the upcoming future.
Upgrade the TBI, ditch it for carb or go LS?
Thanks in advance for the advice. My truck is the pic in my bio.
Todd
New guy here and I'm looking for some advice. I have a very nice 1988 Chevy 2wd with the stock 5.7 and 700R4 transmission (Automatic w OD and "kick down cable, no electronics). This truck was a real find for me. Bought it from the grandson of the guy who purchased it new at a local Chevy dealer. Truck had 63k miles on it when I bought it. It now has 95k. I've done a lot of maintenance related upgrades to it over the last 5 years the most recent being replacing all the front end steering components. It is my daily driver when I am not riding my motorcycle. Truck is all original with the exception of a retro tunes radio, amp and speakers.
Here is my question for you all; I need to replace the head gaskets and valve stem seals. Since I will be removing the heads I figured it would be a great opportunity to install a better camshaft. Apparently this particular engine did not come with very good heads or intake. I started down the rabbit hole of replacing/upgrading the heads, intake, convert to roller cam setup, rebuild the TBI, new fuel pump, etc. I've come to find out that there is not a lot of support for the computer that runs the TBI fuel system. So I started looking at removing that and going to a carburetor. I had a 1985 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd that I put a Edelbrock cam, lifters, intake and carb on 15 or so years ago. That thing ran and sounded great.
Adding the cost of this stuff up it is very close to the cost of doing a LS swap. I have a buddy that has a LS in a 400 series truck and he loves it. I really like the idea of modern fuel injection and a newer motor.
What are your thoughts on the direction I should go in? I'm not looking to build a "hot rod" or anything like that. I just want a reliable truck that will run to it's full potential and sound good doing it. I would like to pull a small enclosed bike trailer in the upcoming future.
Upgrade the TBI, ditch it for carb or go LS?
Thanks in advance for the advice. My truck is the pic in my bio.
Todd