Engine Swap
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Midland Texas
Engine Swap
Hi everyone,
I decided I want to switch out the engine in my 1974 Corvette for a fuel injected system. I'm looking for recommendations for an engine that won't need a lot of modifications to make it fit.
Also, my mechanic told me to look into throttle body injection, so if anyone has any helpful info on that I'd appreciate it.
If this has been discussed before, please direct me to the thread! I looked for one but didn't see any posts about pros and cons of switching or successful swaps.
TIA!
I decided I want to switch out the engine in my 1974 Corvette for a fuel injected system. I'm looking for recommendations for an engine that won't need a lot of modifications to make it fit.
Also, my mechanic told me to look into throttle body injection, so if anyone has any helpful info on that I'd appreciate it.
If this has been discussed before, please direct me to the thread! I looked for one but didn't see any posts about pros and cons of switching or successful swaps.
TIA!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
Your question is extremely vague, but I'll give you some common info that might help narrow it down for you.
Your mechanic talking about Throttle Body Injection is most likely suggesting you get a 1st gen small block chevy (SBC) crate motor and buy one of the aftermarket EFI setups that are available (Holley Sniper, Fitech Go EFI, etc...). This is the simplest solution as the motor will bolt right in where your old motor was without any modifications and will bolt right up to your old transmission. Pulling out a SBC, putting in a SBC, simple. The fuel injection part takes a little more work. There are a lot of ways to make this work, but essentially you need an electric fuel pump to supply the enough fuel pressure for the efi. The cheapest solution is probably the corvette filter/regulator combo with an inline Walboro fuel pump. You can also use a surge tank, convert your current tank to an in-tank EFI setup, or buy an aftermarket EFI tank. You'll have to do your own googling and research what is best for you.
The other common EFI/engine swap option is an LS motor. The LS is the successor to the old school SBC. It is a superior motor in pretty much every facet except for price. The stock heads are good enough that a simple cam swap puts you above 400 hp. The LS motor came in almost every modern chevy truck from 1998 to the present, as well as most Corvettes and Camaros. The downside is, it isn't just a "bolt in" install. You need engine mount adapters, transmission adapter, and a decent amount of wiring to go to the electronically controlled ignition and fuel injection. Very doable, just more time consuming and expensive, and judging by your questions, you would be paying a shop to do it. Expect to pay over $10k to have a shop perform an "LS swap" on your car.
The question is, how much power do you want? How will you use the car? And how big is your pocket book?
Your mechanic talking about Throttle Body Injection is most likely suggesting you get a 1st gen small block chevy (SBC) crate motor and buy one of the aftermarket EFI setups that are available (Holley Sniper, Fitech Go EFI, etc...). This is the simplest solution as the motor will bolt right in where your old motor was without any modifications and will bolt right up to your old transmission. Pulling out a SBC, putting in a SBC, simple. The fuel injection part takes a little more work. There are a lot of ways to make this work, but essentially you need an electric fuel pump to supply the enough fuel pressure for the efi. The cheapest solution is probably the corvette filter/regulator combo with an inline Walboro fuel pump. You can also use a surge tank, convert your current tank to an in-tank EFI setup, or buy an aftermarket EFI tank. You'll have to do your own googling and research what is best for you.
The other common EFI/engine swap option is an LS motor. The LS is the successor to the old school SBC. It is a superior motor in pretty much every facet except for price. The stock heads are good enough that a simple cam swap puts you above 400 hp. The LS motor came in almost every modern chevy truck from 1998 to the present, as well as most Corvettes and Camaros. The downside is, it isn't just a "bolt in" install. You need engine mount adapters, transmission adapter, and a decent amount of wiring to go to the electronically controlled ignition and fuel injection. Very doable, just more time consuming and expensive, and judging by your questions, you would be paying a shop to do it. Expect to pay over $10k to have a shop perform an "LS swap" on your car.
The question is, how much power do you want? How will you use the car? And how big is your pocket book?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Midland Texas
Thank you for your reply!
I am familiar with the LS engines. I'm opting not to go that route just because of the extra work involved with getting everything to fit properly. As far as the power question, I'm not really concerned with maximizing speed or horsepower (I don't race it, or plan to). I really just want it to be more turn-key, where I can just start it and drive away and use it as my daily driver. I'll look into the EFI setups you mentioned, that's probably my best bet for what I'm looking for. Thanks again!
I am familiar with the LS engines. I'm opting not to go that route just because of the extra work involved with getting everything to fit properly. As far as the power question, I'm not really concerned with maximizing speed or horsepower (I don't race it, or plan to). I really just want it to be more turn-key, where I can just start it and drive away and use it as my daily driver. I'll look into the EFI setups you mentioned, that's probably my best bet for what I'm looking for. Thanks again!
Your question is extremely vague, but I'll give you some common info that might help narrow it down for you.
Your mechanic talking about Throttle Body Injection is most likely suggesting you get a 1st gen small block chevy (SBC) crate motor and buy one of the aftermarket EFI setups that are available (Holley Sniper, Fitech Go EFI, etc...). This is the simplest solution as the motor will bolt right in where your old motor was without any modifications and will bolt right up to your old transmission. Pulling out a SBC, putting in a SBC, simple. The fuel injection part takes a little more work. There are a lot of ways to make this work, but essentially you need an electric fuel pump to supply the enough fuel pressure for the efi. The cheapest solution is probably the corvette filter/regulator combo with an inline Walboro fuel pump. You can also use a surge tank, convert your current tank to an in-tank EFI setup, or buy an aftermarket EFI tank. You'll have to do your own googling and research what is best for you.
The other common EFI/engine swap option is an LS motor. The LS is the successor to the old school SBC. It is a superior motor in pretty much every facet except for price. The stock heads are good enough that a simple cam swap puts you above 400 hp. The LS motor came in almost every modern chevy truck from 1998 to the present, as well as most Corvettes and Camaros. The downside is, it isn't just a "bolt in" install. You need engine mount adapters, transmission adapter, and a decent amount of wiring to go to the electronically controlled ignition and fuel injection. Very doable, just more time consuming and expensive, and judging by your questions, you would be paying a shop to do it. Expect to pay over $10k to have a shop perform an "LS swap" on your car.
The question is, how much power do you want? How will you use the car? And how big is your pocket book?
Your mechanic talking about Throttle Body Injection is most likely suggesting you get a 1st gen small block chevy (SBC) crate motor and buy one of the aftermarket EFI setups that are available (Holley Sniper, Fitech Go EFI, etc...). This is the simplest solution as the motor will bolt right in where your old motor was without any modifications and will bolt right up to your old transmission. Pulling out a SBC, putting in a SBC, simple. The fuel injection part takes a little more work. There are a lot of ways to make this work, but essentially you need an electric fuel pump to supply the enough fuel pressure for the efi. The cheapest solution is probably the corvette filter/regulator combo with an inline Walboro fuel pump. You can also use a surge tank, convert your current tank to an in-tank EFI setup, or buy an aftermarket EFI tank. You'll have to do your own googling and research what is best for you.
The other common EFI/engine swap option is an LS motor. The LS is the successor to the old school SBC. It is a superior motor in pretty much every facet except for price. The stock heads are good enough that a simple cam swap puts you above 400 hp. The LS motor came in almost every modern chevy truck from 1998 to the present, as well as most Corvettes and Camaros. The downside is, it isn't just a "bolt in" install. You need engine mount adapters, transmission adapter, and a decent amount of wiring to go to the electronically controlled ignition and fuel injection. Very doable, just more time consuming and expensive, and judging by your questions, you would be paying a shop to do it. Expect to pay over $10k to have a shop perform an "LS swap" on your car.
The question is, how much power do you want? How will you use the car? And how big is your pocket book?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Midland Texas
Thanks for the info!
I know the LS engines require more work to get it to "fit", so I've pretty much ruled that out (at least at this time). I'm really more interested in the swap to make it more of a "turn-key" car that I can make my daily driver. I don't race it (or plan to) so I don't need anything that's going to make it faster. I think getting one of the EFI setups you mentioned is probably the route I want to go, so I will look into those.
Thank you again!
I know the LS engines require more work to get it to "fit", so I've pretty much ruled that out (at least at this time). I'm really more interested in the swap to make it more of a "turn-key" car that I can make my daily driver. I don't race it (or plan to) so I don't need anything that's going to make it faster. I think getting one of the EFI setups you mentioned is probably the route I want to go, so I will look into those.
Thank you again!
Your question is extremely vague, but I'll give you some common info that might help narrow it down for you.
Your mechanic talking about Throttle Body Injection is most likely suggesting you get a 1st gen small block chevy (SBC) crate motor and buy one of the aftermarket EFI setups that are available (Holley Sniper, Fitech Go EFI, etc...). This is the simplest solution as the motor will bolt right in where your old motor was without any modifications and will bolt right up to your old transmission. Pulling out a SBC, putting in a SBC, simple. The fuel injection part takes a little more work. There are a lot of ways to make this work, but essentially you need an electric fuel pump to supply the enough fuel pressure for the efi. The cheapest solution is probably the corvette filter/regulator combo with an inline Walboro fuel pump. You can also use a surge tank, convert your current tank to an in-tank EFI setup, or buy an aftermarket EFI tank. You'll have to do your own googling and research what is best for you.
The other common EFI/engine swap option is an LS motor. The LS is the successor to the old school SBC. It is a superior motor in pretty much every facet except for price. The stock heads are good enough that a simple cam swap puts you above 400 hp. The LS motor came in almost every modern chevy truck from 1998 to the present, as well as most Corvettes and Camaros. The downside is, it isn't just a "bolt in" install. You need engine mount adapters, transmission adapter, and a decent amount of wiring to go to the electronically controlled ignition and fuel injection. Very doable, just more time consuming and expensive, and judging by your questions, you would be paying a shop to do it. Expect to pay over $10k to have a shop perform an "LS swap" on your car.
The question is, how much power do you want? How will you use the car? And how big is your pocket book?
Your mechanic talking about Throttle Body Injection is most likely suggesting you get a 1st gen small block chevy (SBC) crate motor and buy one of the aftermarket EFI setups that are available (Holley Sniper, Fitech Go EFI, etc...). This is the simplest solution as the motor will bolt right in where your old motor was without any modifications and will bolt right up to your old transmission. Pulling out a SBC, putting in a SBC, simple. The fuel injection part takes a little more work. There are a lot of ways to make this work, but essentially you need an electric fuel pump to supply the enough fuel pressure for the efi. The cheapest solution is probably the corvette filter/regulator combo with an inline Walboro fuel pump. You can also use a surge tank, convert your current tank to an in-tank EFI setup, or buy an aftermarket EFI tank. You'll have to do your own googling and research what is best for you.
The other common EFI/engine swap option is an LS motor. The LS is the successor to the old school SBC. It is a superior motor in pretty much every facet except for price. The stock heads are good enough that a simple cam swap puts you above 400 hp. The LS motor came in almost every modern chevy truck from 1998 to the present, as well as most Corvettes and Camaros. The downside is, it isn't just a "bolt in" install. You need engine mount adapters, transmission adapter, and a decent amount of wiring to go to the electronically controlled ignition and fuel injection. Very doable, just more time consuming and expensive, and judging by your questions, you would be paying a shop to do it. Expect to pay over $10k to have a shop perform an "LS swap" on your car.
The question is, how much power do you want? How will you use the car? And how big is your pocket book?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Midland Texas
I've had nothing but carburetor issues since I bought the car, and since the motor had already been replaced when I took ownership I'm not worried about keeping things original. In lieu of getting another carburetor, I've just decided to go another route.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
Ok with that in mind and with you not caring about horsepower too much, as long as your current motor is healthy, I would just buy an EFI setup. My recommendation would be the Holley Sniper, but do some searching, there are other options.
So pick the EFI you want, and pick the fueling setup you want. Pretty simple!
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Midland Texas
Researching EFIs is actually what I've been doing since I read your original post yesterday! I'm pretty excited about it!
Ok with that in mind and with you not caring about horsepower too much, as long as your current motor is healthy, I would just buy an EFI setup. My recommendation would be the Holley Sniper, but do some searching, there are other options.
So pick the EFI you want, and pick the fueling setup you want. Pretty simple!
So pick the EFI you want, and pick the fueling setup you want. Pretty simple!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
You have a 74 so the tank and pump is not so easy. I'd think that the simplest way to do the fuel systems would be installing a Holley Hydromat attached onto the pickup so it goes across the bottom of the tank. Then, use an external pump pulling from the Hydromat equipped pickup. Weld another 3/8" line into the pickup assembly so it parallels the stock line except ends a little above the bottom of the tank so you have a return line.
On a slightly different note - If your mechanic didn't know about the aftermarket EFI systems like the Holley Sniper then he might not be the right person for the job. The questions just make me think he was saying that finding a GM TBI engine to swap into the car was the easiest way to get EFI. The swap is not terribly difficult, but there are still things you can do wrong.
On a slightly different note - If your mechanic didn't know about the aftermarket EFI systems like the Holley Sniper then he might not be the right person for the job. The questions just make me think he was saying that finding a GM TBI engine to swap into the car was the easiest way to get EFI. The swap is not terribly difficult, but there are still things you can do wrong.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Dec 12, 2017 at 01:00 PM.