Carb to TBI engine swap

klink70 · 02-15-2006, 01:55 PM

I'm in the process of rebuilding a carbed engine to swap into my '94 pick-up. They're both 350's. My '94 is a TBI unit. Will a cam for the carbed engine work with the TBI unit? Will the mechanical fuel pump rod lobe on the cam cause any problem or vibrations on the TBI unit since it won't be being used? The engine I'm rebuilding has a 2-piece rear seal, the '94 has a 1-piece. I know I need to use the flex-plate for the 2-piece seal with that respective engine. Will the torque converter from the '94 1-piece unit bolt onto the flex-plate for the 2-piece unit? I know somebody out there has done this type of swap before, so if you could help me out with any info I'd greatly appreciate it.

chevyguy · 02-15-2006, 03:36 PM

The only problem you will have is head to intake mounting. the newer heds have a different angle on the center bolt for mounting the intake. The cam if it isnt alot over stock should be fine I would need the specs to be sure. The fuel pump lobe is not an issue. Flexplate isnt an issue either. Go for it.

klink70 · 02-16-2006, 07:41 AM

Will the TBI intake work on the carbed engine? Can I modify it ,to make it work? Or can I get an intake with the proper bolt angles that will accept the TBI unit?

chevyguy · 02-16-2006, 11:55 AM

go to your local machine shop, they have probally done this before, My question is why dont you swap to the newer heads, they flow better than the older heads, If you want a good factory head use the l31 vortec head, i like them alot and they outflow the old 2.02/1.60 heads.

klink70 · 02-17-2006, 09:00 AM

I was pondering that very idea last night while looking at the truck in the shop. I also pondered just redoing the entire '94 engine. However, the old carbed model is a Targetmaster crate unit. It has a four-bolt and a forged steel crank. Would the '94 have the same crank set-up?I haven't yanked that engine yet, as it still runs, but I use the truck sparringly. You say the '94 TBI heads have a better flow rate? That's cool. Would the push rods be the same length between the two engines, or would I need to use the '94s? Would I have to get a cam spec'd for the '94? And, finally, are the cam bearing journal sizes the same from the carbed model to the TBI model?

chevyguy · 02-17-2006, 10:54 AM

If you have to pull it all down like this, Why not just rebuild the origional. Alot of mixing and matching makes for problems. I would not recommend running a used cam if you can avoid it. Spend the cash and get a beetter product in the end

02-15-2006, 01:55 PM	#1
klink70 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 14	Carb to TBI engine swap I'm in the process of rebuilding a carbed engine to swap into my '94 pick-up. They're both 350's. My '94 is a TBI unit. Will a cam for the carbed engine work with the TBI unit? Will the mechanical fuel pump rod lobe on the cam cause any problem or vibrations on the TBI unit since it won't be being used? The engine I'm rebuilding has a 2-piece rear seal, the '94 has a 1-piece. I know I need to use the flex-plate for the 2-piece seal with that respective engine. Will the torque converter from the '94 1-piece unit bolt onto the flex-plate for the 2-piece unit? I know somebody out there has done this type of swap before, so if you could help me out with any info I'd greatly appreciate it.

02-15-2006, 03:36 PM	#2
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,370	The only problem you will have is head to intake mounting. the newer heds have a different angle on the center bolt for mounting the intake. The cam if it isnt alot over stock should be fine I would need the specs to be sure. The fuel pump lobe is not an issue. Flexplate isnt an issue either. Go for it. __________________ Friends dont let friends use body lifts USMC 92-96 USCG 98 to present

02-16-2006, 11:55 AM	#4
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,370	go to your local machine shop, they have probally done this before, My question is why dont you swap to the newer heads, they flow better than the older heads, If you want a good factory head use the l31 vortec head, i like them alot and they outflow the old 2.02/1.60 heads. __________________ Friends dont let friends use body lifts USMC 92-96 USCG 98 to present

02-17-2006, 10:54 AM	#6
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,370	If you have to pull it all down like this, Why not just rebuild the origional. Alot of mixing and matching makes for problems. I would not recommend running a used cam if you can avoid it. Spend the cash and get a beetter product in the end __________________ Friends dont let friends use body lifts USMC 92-96 USCG 98 to present

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02-16-2006, 07:41 AM	#3
klink70 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 14	Will the TBI intake work on the carbed engine? Can I modify it ,to make it work? Or can I get an intake with the proper bolt angles that will accept the TBI unit?

02-17-2006, 09:00 AM	#5
klink70 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 14	I was pondering that very idea last night while looking at the truck in the shop. I also pondered just redoing the entire '94 engine. However, the old carbed model is a Targetmaster crate unit. It has a four-bolt and a forged steel crank. Would the '94 have the same crank set-up?I haven't yanked that engine yet, as it still runs, but I use the truck sparringly. You say the '94 TBI heads have a better flow rate? That's cool. Would the push rods be the same length between the two engines, or would I need to use the '94s? Would I have to get a cam spec'd for the '94? And, finally, are the cam bearing journal sizes the same from the carbed model to the TBI model?

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