5.3 or fuel injection on the stock 350?
Posted by SixNineSkittleHair@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 52 comments
Posted by SixNineSkittleHair@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 52 comments
filtyratbastards@reddit
Rebuild the q jet. $50. It's a fantastic carb. Install a wide band o2 gauge $160 and tune the carb. $210 total for a great running engine that gets the same mpg as FI. You cant buy a FI setup for $210. Not gonna happen.
v8packard@reddit
Why do you need fuel injection?
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
Reliability mostly, 2nd time I have had to rebuild this carb, a few MPG’s wouldn’t hurt either since it’s on 37s.
v8packard@reddit
Don't assume fuel injection is more reliable. OEM EFI systems are reliable and serviceable. So are OEM carburetors. Aftermarket EFI systems are much less reliable and serviceable. I would take a Holley 80457 600 style vac secondary carb over any Holley aftermarket EFI system, any day.
Don't underestimate the work required to get EFI installed into a vehicle that didn't have, and get everything right. Anyone that tells you it's easier than fixing your carb must have zero experience with either.
If you have a carb problem it should be diagnosed. Once you know what the problem is you can make a decision on how to proceed. You should be aware, a Holley 4150/4160 style carb with straight boosters requires a true split plenum with a heated intake for best drivability.
To be honest, I prefer a Quadrajet in applications like yours for torque, drivability and efficiency. These days any Quadrajet has aged to the point they require sophisticated repairs, if that's not for you then Edelbrock AFB and AVS style carbs might be worth considering. But any of these can be set up to be reliable, have great drivability and get good mileage. A carb set up with a lean cruise air fuel ratio, the proper boosters, an ignition system that can handle lean mixtures, and an engine combo that makes good torque can outperform EFI in terms of mileage.
As for your tire size, if you switched to 37s you should have gone to more differential gear at the same time. I would consider 4.56 gears the minimum, and might look to 4.88 gears. What is your trans?
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
It’s a turbo 350 with a np203 transfer case. The truck had a quadrajet when I got it and it ran really good until it started bogging down out of no where one day.
v8packard@reddit
If you still have the Quadrajet, you might get it redone professionally. They really are sophisticated carbs and can work great.
Is the NP203 full time 4wd? If so, going to the NP208, or NP205, would give you better fuel mileage by allowing 2wd operation when 4wd is not needed.
Content-Parking-660@reddit
First off, Sweet Ride. Watch bondo billy, buy a yeswelder and learn to weld from him.
B: Since you said you want a daily driver with modest power (excellent idea) I would buy an old 2500/3500 gmc/chevy van with a 350 and a 4l80e for cheap on a gov auction or wherever and put that in your truck. You could have a overdrive hd auto, fuel injected, Possibly emmisions compliant 350 for less than 3 grand.
D: The 350 would bolt in easy. Those old vans made 250hp and 335 torque according to google. You would have all the wiring and modules to make it run in one step.
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
Just started the rust repair a couple days ago, the yes welder has really surprised me with how well it’s doing for the price. Welded my new rockers in with not issues
joe999x@reddit
Cam and headers and a Sniper if the 350 is still tight
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
The 350 runs good, doesn’t smoke or consume fluids, just tired of returning the carb once a month
LD902@reddit
What are you goals for making a change from a carb?
The will change the answer
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
Reliability mainly and maybe a few more mpgs since the truck is on 37s
LD902@reddit
a sniper 2 set up will accomplish those goals. Easier and cheaper then a full LS swap. But and lS motor will probably get you better MPG
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
I was looking at the snipers, the pro flo from edelbrock, and the aces, the mpg is not a huge concern, just tires of having to retune the carb once a month.
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
It’s got a turbo 350 with a np203 transfer case
mahdicktoobig@reddit
I don’t understand not going EFI. Ever. Put it on a aftermarket ECU and do whatever you want. If you theoretically have the option at least.
hotrodford@reddit
Some of us like old cars that drive like old cars.
mahdicktoobig@reddit
I guess; I only had a carbed 1500 in high school. Not very fast even though it looked it. (Sport edition, everyone thought it was the 454 because the graphics were in the same font.)
My dad actually freshened the thing up, and I drove it recently. It drives COMPLETELY different than I remember 😂, couldn’t take it over 30 tho. Stayed in the neighborhood/ no car seat for the kid
Building_Everything@reddit
Assuming TBI on the stock 350? If you’re willing to do an engine swap, the 5.3 is worthwhile.
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
Yeah she’s just a stock flat tappet 350 atm with a Holley 600 on it.
Syscrush@reddit
IMO just replace the carb with a sniper and drive it.
Engineerasorus_rex@reddit
Holley sniper on the 350 is the cheap and easy answer if you just want driveability. 5.3 LS if you're looking for any performance or fuel economy gains.
Clegko@reddit
Edelbrock's Pro-Flo is about the same cost as the Holley (once all the bits and bobs are added on) and you get a new intake and port injection instead of TBI.
DrEnd585@reddit
Agree to disagree. A 383 stroker is gonna be a better fit for that truck with those tires/setup. The 5.3 is a nice motor but stroker motors can give better torque overall. Now admittedly this varies on what OP is DOING with said truck but to keep it on those 30s I'd run a stroker motor long term
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
It’s a carbureted 350
ZeGermanHam@reddit
The only thing that TBI gets you is better cold starts. Otherwise, they don't have any power or reliability benefits over a carb.
In this case, I'd go with a 5.3L swap that will get you a vastly superior port injection setup.
devilpants@reddit
Yeah TBI kinda sucks its like half fuel injection pretending to be a carb.
hotrodford@reddit
Electronic carburetor
ZeGermanHam@reddit
Yep, and they suffer from electronics reliability issues over the long term.
Envoyager@reddit
The ol 350 still sounds the best through a pair of original 40's and tailpipes. I say try out a fuel injection kit, there's options out there!
LD902@reddit
a small block 100% sounds better cooler then an LS
shotstraight@reddit
Just go ahead and say you have no idea what you're talking about. Or just not comment.
DrEnd585@reddit
I mean, he's got a point, 350s have a better exhaust note to the LS especially on period accurate exhaust/glass packs.
salmonstamp@reddit
Keep the carb if you’re looking for power and reliability. Upgrade to a roller cam and maybe some heads and an intake. This will get you the simplest, cheapest, quickest gain in hp/torque as you can probably do it all in stages and without having to take the engine out or mess with any electrical. Or you could build a motor in your spare time while you enjoy this thing and just swap it when you’re done building
I’m a tbi enthusiast but unless you’re willing to go back in time a bit and work within a very narrow band of parts you can use, you’re only going to gain the advantage of better cold starts and not having to re-tune for elevation changes. In my experience, carbs and tbi are about neck and neck in terms of reliability.
If you have the cash and time, 5.3 is certainly not a bad option, but you will spend more than you planned and it will take you longer than you think
chmod-77@reddit
I've had one 5.3 (In an Escalade of all things) and was really surprised at the amount of torque it had. Much stronger than any 350 I had in my two square bodies.
I vote 5.3 all day.
Slimybutthamer@reddit
If you do the 5.3 I personally recommend the aces jackpot system.
StartwithaRoux@reddit
Depends on budget. If I had a choice, budget no factor, 5.3 all day.
DrEnd585@reddit
Looks like you're on 30s, so you've got a basic lift, nothing crazy, but you ARE likely in original axles and hubs. You want a daily driver capable of basic off road use, and we're not talking insane horsepower, we're talking drivability and comfort.
Personally I say keep the 350, fuel inject it and later on maybe build a stroker motor out of it if you want horsepower. But the decision IS yours
fallenangle666@reddit
5.3 you're gonna pay about the same amt of money on a holley tbi without even getting electronic timing control
Bobtuckerq-highway45@reddit
I think Fuel Injection because if i was put on the Fuel Injected it will make the Power increase and Lower emissions or Reliability
shotstraight@reddit
English, please.
shotstraight@reddit
5.3L = more horsepower and torque, even more so with a cam change, lots more, and you can have EFI. No comparison. It will last longer, too.
Good_With_Tools@reddit
I swapped my 72 c10 with an LS and 4l60e. It's the best mod I've ever done. 22mpg and more power. The OD trans makes it much more comfortable on the highway.
legojoe7874@reddit
gotta keep it carborated! Nuhnuhnuhnuh
Damaged_One@reddit
The question is how much money you want to spend
ChainBlue@reddit
Depends. What kind of build are you going for ?
SixNineSkittleHair@reddit (OP)
Just a daily driver, not looking for crazy power just want something I can drive to work and back and maybe a woods trip once in a blue moon.
ChainBlue@reddit
Go for a stock LS or LT and transmission.
TheSeansk1@reddit
Whatever you prefer and have the budget for…
Eat_Your_Paisley@reddit
Very little falls into the LS everything movement but this does
BaconNPotatoes@reddit
Even a stock 5.3 will be more power and probably double the gas mileage
rudbri93@reddit
if i was goin with fuel injection id rather have the 5.3, takes way better advantage of the benefits of FI.