1982 Engine Upgrade
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
to get the most for the least IMO. If your bottom end is good .a great set of heads .a new cam .roller tip rockers .holleys new injection.nice set of headers. msd distributer. a tranny lock up switch.You will be close to both of your goals and be dependable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Thanks a lot bucaneer. I was thinking my CFI wouldn't be sufficient to run an upgraded engine like that. Being able to use that on a "built" engine would definitely save cost. If I can still get between 350-400HP using the CFI it seems that might be the way to go since I could use the current computer. Am I correct? Thanks again.
If you decide to go 383, you are far better going with either the 1227747 or 1228746 ECM and HAM it, use the EBL with Ostrich. However, this means you will have to tune it via laptop which you may or may not want to do. It is a rather steep learning curve and not for the faint of heart. Just letting you know that up front.
Again, if you are not going to keep the CFI, the EFI is a great way to go IMO.
It really boils down to what do you want to spend, what do you want for a motor and how deep are your pockets? The rabbit hole is endless. 
Last edited by Buccaneer; Nov 18, 2016 at 03:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I must say a lot of really good input here guys. Thanks. I started out thinking I would never touch my original engine. Just pull it and get a nicer one. But it does make sense budget wise to use my own block and whatever else I can. I looked at the Holley sniper setup and love it. Very tempting since I originally wanted to stay with fuel injection. Hey guys keep the ideas rolling. Thanks again
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
My 82 still retains the CFI but with mods. You can really wake this engine up but absolutely ditch the intake. My mods include the Renegade intake, Edelbrock aluminum heads with 1.6 roller top rockers, bored 2" tbs, Comp 260 cam, '85 fuel pump with14 psi. The ECM however is not modified but contains a Jet chip. I have a HAM board and the car could definitely use it but I'm lost in that department! Exhaust is true dual with a heated 02 sensor. My car pulls hard even with the 2.87 gear and have plans for a 3.54. So if you want to retain the CFI it can be done. If I had the budget and wife's approval I would definitely go with a LS though. Tons of power and great mileage. And by the way most of my mods are due to buccaneer so thank you 
