Engine Swap for my 78?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,005
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From: Ridgecrest CA
Engine Swap for my 78?
I am looking at doing a complete engine swap to keep my original engine, but still have fuel injection, but I am unsure exactly what parts I need. Has anyone done this? I know I need the following:
Engine, complete with intake, pulleys, etc.
ECM
Wiring harness for ECM and engine
However, do I need the wiring harness under the dash as well? I am sure that there are other things that I need, I just can;t figure out what. Thanks for any help you can offer.
:cheers:
Berserker
Engine, complete with intake, pulleys, etc.
ECM
Wiring harness for ECM and engine
However, do I need the wiring harness under the dash as well? I am sure that there are other things that I need, I just can;t figure out what. Thanks for any help you can offer.
:cheers:
Berserker
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,248
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
Re: Engine Swap for my 78? (Berserker78)
Here is something for you to consider before the swap. Do you want to keep the 78 original, now or in the future? It is an expense to add the components to your 78 to install a TPI or fuel injected engine. If you go that route it will then be another big expense to return the car to it's original condition in the future. I installed a TPI in my 78 and there is no way that I want to go back to a carburated engine. As far as the harness goes you are basically adding a computer and the associated wiring to yor car. The dash wiring is pretty much left alone. Roger L. Gibbons
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
Re: Engine Swap for my 78? (70 LS1)
I would be getting the FI from a blazer, whatever that system would be. Where do the guages hook up to the new engine if I leave the dash wiring alone? Do they plug into the computer? Or are they still hardwired to the engine?
I know that I need new fuel hoses and pump for the higher pressure, but what do I need to do to the cooling system?
I would be keeping the original engine in case I ever want to sell the car. As for me, I want Fuel Injection, but need to do a full engine swap in order for it to be CA legal.
Thanks Guys,
Jason
[Modified by Berserker78, 8:55 PM 7/26/2002]
I know that I need new fuel hoses and pump for the higher pressure, but what do I need to do to the cooling system?
I would be keeping the original engine in case I ever want to sell the car. As for me, I want Fuel Injection, but need to do a full engine swap in order for it to be CA legal.
Thanks Guys,
Jason
[Modified by Berserker78, 8:55 PM 7/26/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Re: Engine Swap for my 78? (Berserker78)
You need to pick up a shop manual for the donor vehicle. This will have wiring schematics in it and you can see how to hook up your gauges. Chances are that most of them won't work off of the computer and will need some research to get them to work correctly. You might be beter off getting an LT1 engine from a camaro or corvette, or a TPI engine from a late eighties camaro or vette. These engines are favorites for swaps and there is a lot of aftermarket support for conversions.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
Re: Engine Swap for my 78? (70 LS1)
I need one that I can get cheaply, and Alaska does not have many LT1s or LS1s around here. What years of Camaros had the TPI 350s? Do you know?
Berserker
Berserker
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,975
Likes: 22
Re: Engine Swap for my 78? (Berserker78)
Fbody cars had TPI 85-92. Look for a later year unit, 89 and newer, because the computer is better. I believe the 90-92 engines are the speed density engines, while the others are the MAF style. Vettes ran TPI 85-91. Same engine, except aluminum heads after mid-1986 through 91. Budman has a TPI motor. Email him for tips.
