How hard is it to add fi to a S-15??

[akira]

I wouldn't mind adding fi to my 83 S-15 since it will be restored now that I found a new box. I am going to build a 3.2L N/A to run with my 700-R4. I don't know wether to run a carb (I have 2 different intakes, edel and offy) or to run a tbi or go all the way and run the camaro mpfi. Right now it has the 2 bbl with a MSD 6btm and blaster 2 coil. I will have this truck torn down, no box, doors, no motor+tranny, fenders. I am putting in a new motor and doing a new paint job. I would like to do a mpfi but don't know how much I would have to change, thing's like sensors and will my dash work. I am very mechanicly inclined and am doing all the work myself. Also, does anyone know of a place to get a bracket to bolt on rear disc's? I was thinking of using a set of rotors and calipers off of a 4wd blazer with a adjustable valve and welding a adapterplate to my axleshaft. Anyone done this yet??? The rotor should just slide onto the axle like a fwd car. And, I should be able to mount the caliper with a welded in peice of plate. Am I nuts???

[Anonymous]

MPFI would be the best for performance, but TBI I think is easier to set up and less parts. There are lots of Lumina/transport vans out there in the junk yard with TBI, probably more than f-bodies. Aren't (some?) f-boeids TPI? Thought I saw a Firebird V6 at the junkyard with it(?)
I hate carbs :P

[Cliff8928]

As i recall, only the 2.5s and 5.0s were TBI in the F-Bodies... the 2.8 did originally come carb'd until 'bout 85

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[Anonymous]

I should make a trip to the wreckers and take a second look.. looked like a V6 but maybe I wasn't looking right and it was a 5.0

[geoffinbc]

Camaro never had TBI... But in all honesty if you buy a Weber carb for your S-10 you will probabally have the same power as TBI and just as good reliability without the investment in time, money and headaches.

EVERYONE who has a Weber carb absoutley loves it. If you goto www.lmctruck.com and order a free catalogue they have the kit in there.

[Anonymous]

Aren't (some?) f-boeids TPI? Thought I saw a Firebird V6 at the junkyard with it(?)

I meant TPI... tuned port injection.. on a V6?

[Anonymous]

Don't think so... I thought the F bodies went straight from carbed 2.8's to MPFI 2.8's.

[Anonymous]

Must have been a 305 TPI then.. didn't look at it very long :P sorry bout that.

[Cliff8928]

Yeah, the F-Bodies (82-92) came with

2.5 TBI
2.8 Carb
2.8 MPFI
3.1 MPFI
3.8 Turbo
5.0 Carb
5.0 TBIx2 (Crossfire)
5.0 TBI
5.0 TPI
5.7 TPI


Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[geoffinbc]

3.8L Turbo was the best. Maybe 350TPI. TBI crossfire would look pretty cool... Must really suck the gas though.

[akira]

I just want to know what it takes to install a tbi or mpfi system in a carbed vehicle. There were some S-10's that did come from the factory with the mpfi the same as the camaro's. If I go with the mpfi from a camaro it should be half assed straight forward, and then I can use the computer out of a 3.1L when I build my 3.2. I just need to know if I have to switch EVERYTHING like the instrument cluster and so forth or can I maintain the one I have? And can I use the 700-R4 with a 3.1L computer that will be out of a fwd car? Or can I hack the comp to use my tranny? I know I have to put a fuel pump in the tank for FI, what pressure does it run at? Can I use an inline or does it have to be in tank??

[evilmiata]

I just want to know what it takes to install a tbi or mpfi system in a carbed vehicle. There were some S-10's that did come from the factory with the mpfi the same as the camaro's. If I go with the mpfi from a camaro it should be half assed straight forward, and then I can use the computer out of a 3.1L when I build my 3.2. I just need to know if I have to switch EVERYTHING like the instrument cluster and so forth or can I maintain the one I have? And can I use the 700-R4 with a 3.1L computer that will be out of a fwd car? Or can I hack the comp to use my tranny? I know I have to put a fuel pump in the tank for FI, what pressure does it run at? Can I use an inline or does it have to be in tank??

About the brakes: you ARE crazy.

What kind of fuel system does a 3.2 have? What year is the engine?

[Cliff8928]

3.8L Turbo was the best. Maybe 350TPI. TBI crossfire would look pretty cool... Must really suck the gas though.

It does look kinda cool, especially with the active cold air intake (i got some pics of it around here somewhere)... I don't remember the MPGs being that bad (we had a low-mileage 83 Z28 conv't a few years back)

There were some S-10's that did come from the factory with the mpfi the same as the camaro's.

Nope, there weren't.... all V6/60 trucks (including minivans to 95) were TBI or Carb'd


Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[akira]

Well I was sure there were a few since I have seen a few from the States, musta been custom. Anyways for the motor I was gonna take a rwd block and use the 3.1 crank and overbore it. Maybe even have the crank ground with an offset to get an extra 0.010 - 0.020" travel. So it would come out as a 3.2L or close enough. If I use mpfi it will be out of a camaro (so rwd won't be an issue) but do I need to know how much I have to reuse from a camaro and what I can keep in my S-15. The engine will be a large journal (already have one from an 88 or around there) the truck is a 83 S-15 Gypsy (std cab with factory tweed buckets and doors, posi, 700R4, air, tilt, cruise, and one dead engine #4 or 5 can't remember, but it has 600,000 kms on it). Is it just a matter of taking out the ENTIRE wiring system from the Camaro and grafting it into my truck? Or do I need the instument cluster as well. I know I need to switch to a electric (probably in-tank) fuel pump. Will my older tranny work with the ECU (does the ECU need the input) and can I use a ECU from a front wheel drive 3.1L or can I reprogram the 2.8 ECU from the camaro? Can I reprogram the ECU to use a GM H.O cam (the 3.4L flat tappet cam). What are the minimum sensors I need to install without making a ECU run all funky. Hasn't someone here done this swap????

[Anonymous]

1988 engine? you do have a later model flexplate to go along with it, don't you?