Yoda

This is the conversion of my 68 327 in my FJ 40 to a 1987 Chev V20 truck TBI system. I figured since I got the TBI, wiring, computer, and manifold for $125 that I could do the conversion for under $400. I figured wrong!

Yoda

Another before pic

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another angle

Yoda

Parts to install. I found a set of 89 TBI heads, so decided to do them too. You see both cyl heads, intake manifold, distributor, ECU, TBI unit, and a big mess of wiring.

Yoda

Had to change the camshaft as edelbrock said my "performer" for carburetor was not efi compatible. Had to pull radiator, grill, my brush guard and had to raise the engine to get the cam out! I was glad it cleared the winch.

Yoda

Starting the reassembly

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Starting to play with the wiring. Had to rework the harness to bring most wiring to the passenger side.

Yoda

More wire rework. The circle in the left center firewall is the OEM wire grommet hole. The plugs just behind the alt (100 amp from Suburban) will go to the computer on the other side of that hole. Had to enlarge hole for GM grommet to fit. The loose guage above the valve cover is so I can see the oil pressure at initial startup (some day).

Yoda

Fuel pump relay with reworked harness routed through firewall. The small wire plug 8" below relay is the timing conecter (EST) to set base timing.

Yoda

Air cleaner installed. Still have to work on the fuel plumbing and the few connections on the drivers side to the ign switch. Need to mount the computer, wire the ALDL connector, and the check engine light. No more pix til the next roll of film is done.

crash

I thought edelbrock had made a TBI manifold to go on earlier heads? Also, instead of replacing the cam, why didn't you have a custom prom burned?

Yoda

The manifold was given to me. The edelbrock for early heads was close to $250 IIRC. Found the heads on ebay for $76. They have the correct bolt direction and were a higher CR that the smog heads I had on. New heads are also the high swirl design.

I didn't want to mess with burning a prom (maybe a couple times to get it right). I got the system from a truck with 4 speed so I wouldn't have to contend with the AT codes for newer trucks. Also it was a 3/4 ton so the emissions are a little looser.

EDIT: I ended up using the prom from automatic. Since the stick idle speed was like 900 RPM, my automatic in drive would cruise about 20 mph. Idle speed is about 700 now. Custom prom I could have designated the idle.

crash

Yes, the heads are definatly a better design..

Depending on the year of the tbi, you won't have any AT codes, on the early ones the only ecm control was TCC and there were no diagnostics for it, and the later 4l80e's had tons of stinking codes

Yoda

Yeah, the 87 automatics had the TCC and a 4th gear switch. My harness has the connection for the AT because the harness in the truck was crushed so I grabbed it from the same year/engine Suburban parked next to it. That is where the 100 amp alt came from. Maybe in future a 700r4? I got the prom from the Burb, too.

David

crash

So I assume you do not have a speed sensor either? Without that yo will trip speed sensor codes. This was an issue with my 4.3 swap also, one that I knew about but didn't wanna run a sensor, so the only other choice was a custom prom..

Yoda

I got the 2 pulse Toyota VSS from Jags that run. Installs into the speedo cable.

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/

https://web9.tdl.com/jags/SpeedSensors_Order.html

crash

Ok, thats the same one my buddy was going to sell me, but I don't even need a speedo, the rig doesn't see any street use anymore.

Yoda

IT RUNS!

Fired it off this afternoon. Runs good, set base timing, and ran for 1/2 hour to break in the cam. Still need to get exhaust done and finish the fuel lines (clamping)

Yoda

bring to top so I can find it.

Mad Chemist

Awesome, sounds like alot of work....