EGR help

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Michael Hild

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I just recently put a new to me engine out of a 78 corvette into my 88 C1500. Truck has shorty headers no cats and dual exhaust with glasspacks and is running the original TBI setup from the factory. My intake had been modified to fit the engine that was in it last which I believe was out of an 86 pickup. My problem now is my intake is cracked so I need a new one. I was wondering if i needed the egr and I could by an intake that didn’t have the mounts to support an egr and adapt it to fit my throttle body? I know the egr helps circulate the exhaust gases and helps cool the combustion chambers but is it really necessary to have if my exhaust is more free flowing? Do I have to have it tuned to work without the egr?

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PlayingWithTBI

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A couple questions come to mind - are you running the OE 1227747 ECM with an O2 sensor (it doesn't care if you have cats) and the computer controlled distributor with EST, ICM, ESC (and knock sensor), IAC, TPS, MAP, CTS, and all that stuff that normally comes with the TBI system?
http://www.gearhead-efi.com/gm-ecm-pcm-conversion/efi-dictionary.html

No, you don't have to run the EGR, it does cool down the combustion chamber but not for performance, just to pass NOx emissions, as a matter of fact, when you mash the skinny pedal (usually >80 MAP) it drops out the EGR and gives you full clean air. You can tune it to run better without. In the tune you can delete EGR MALF light (SES). You can buy a 4 BBL 2 plane intake manifold and a TBI adapter plate or the Edelbrock 3704 TBI intake and block off the ports for the EGR.
 

Michael Hild

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Yes that’s what I am running. I’ve still got the electronic spark control and factory computer. O2 sensors still in as well. Edelbrock gave me the 2104 number which is why I asked if I needed the egr valve bc the 3704 id still have to drill out the center holes and I was thinking about maybe putting a more breathable intake on it.
 

df2x4

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You can delete EGR if you like, but you will need to tune the ECM afterward. Otherwise you'll have a check engine light (like PlayingWithTBI mentinoed) and the potential for knock at part throttle.
 

Michael Hild

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That’s what I’ll probably do. The only other issue I have is routing the heater hose. I don’t remember seeing a port for the heater hose on the intake I was suggested to use.
 

Schurkey

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Keep in mind that the heater hose "quick-coupler" is heavily restricted. You MUST restrict coolant flow to the heater core or you run the risk of popping the core from over-pressurization due to high water-pump speed.

When it was me, I bought a used a "ZZ4" style intake from eBay, adapted the EGR to work, and installed a TBI-to-4-barrel adapter plate on top. That also allows the use of some brass fittings and a lightly-modified quick-coupler for the heater. The ignition coil mount and the steel tube for the power brake booster needed some finesse, too. There's no boss for mounting a brace to the back of the A/C compressor. Someday I'll rework the brace to get that functional. Overall...EGR was the worst part of getting that manifold to work.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-10185063/overview/

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/trd-2211
 

Michael Hild

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I found an Edelbrock performer intake 2101 that would fit my heads. I’m on a budget or I would love to use the zz4 intake. I’m hoping to use the 2101 with the adapter plate but my only question would be what is the best way to somewhat restrict the coolant flow to the heater core since I probably won’t be able to use my original hose fitting
 

Redneckgeriatric

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I found an Edelbrock performer intake 2101 that would fit my heads. I’m on a budget or I would love to use the zz4 intake. I’m hoping to use the 2101 with the adapter plate but my only question would be what is the best way to somewhat restrict the coolant flow to the heater core since I probably won’t be able to use my original hose fitting

back in the day, would put a deep socket splised into the inlet hose to the core. iirc, it was 1/2 inch 3/8 drive. i used to blow cores up everytime i punched the throttle on old mustangs.

curious, does that 78 vette motor have a knock sensor?
 

Michael Hild

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I don’t know that it does. I didn’t really look for one bc I thought I was going to plug and play when I did the engine swap and everything that I looked up doesn’t show a knock sensor on one until 1982
 
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