C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Carb swap?

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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 10:26 AM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by turbotim23
Hi guys Have you seen the electric choke replacements for Holley carbs that gives you Throttle position sensor info to your tranny so you can use newer 4L60e electronic transmissions with a carb. It's apx. 100.00 from summit,much cheaper than those stand alone shift computers are. anyone used one ?
That will give your tranny tps info, but it still will need a computer to run. Throttle position, rpm, gear selection needs to be fed into a computer to direct the transmission to shift and provide different line pressures to the clutches at different operating perameters. If you don't want to use a computer, use a 700r4 and a switch for the converter lockup. Done both.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 10:28 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by 79Rod
Last moth I did this swap. It was 1990 L98. here is my parts list (summit part#s):
intake: EDL-2101
distributor: MSD-8360
Carb: HLY-0-81670
Coil: MSD-8207
Fuel pressure reg: QFT-30-900
I reused the OEM fuel pump, that's why I used a fuel pressure regulator with return line. My digital display is still working, telling me fuel level.
Remember to buy all gaskets you will need.
Also you will need a fan control to operate the radiator fan (or turn it on direct from switch).
If you will remove all wire harness, please take this advice first: find a signal for ignition coil; be sure not to cut any starter motor signal, find a signal for fuel pump. If you follow this advice you will have: gas, spark and cranking.
find some gauges for oil pressure, water temp, rpm.
been there done that, my Vette is running and pulling strong.
hope this help
PD: I have a TPIS BIG MOUTH, ECM, THROTTLE BODY, SUPER RAM, FUEL RAILS....FOR SALE
Why don't your gauges work? Mine all worked except for the mpg readout.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 03:05 PM
  #63  
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Anther way around getting the 4L60E to work with a carb is on ebay. There is a guy there that sells everything you need to convert the 4L60E over to same shift parts as a 700r4. I don't rember all the parts but it had a new valve body and shift modulator and other parts included. I don't really know what's better change a 4L60E over to shift like a 700r4 or get a 700r4 to begin with. A lot of the 700r4's weren't as good internally as a 4L60. I have a good 4L60E now that doesn't need rebuilding so I was looking for some way to use it with a holley carb on roots type supercharger on a lt1 I'm thinking of building. This isn't on a corvette it's on a caprice 9c1 cop car I bought cheap to have fun with.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 04:09 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by turbotim23
Hi guys Have you seen the electric choke replacements for Holley carbs that gives you Throttle position sensor info to your tranny so you can use newer 4L60e electronic transmissions with a carb. It's apx. 100.00 from summit,much cheaper than those stand alone shift computers are. anyone used one ?
i think there was a paddle shifter that installs under the steering wheel and works with carbs .

as seen on HORSEPOWER TV.. maybe if your interested do a search for it
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 05:00 PM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by 383vett
Why don't your gauges work? Mine all worked except for the mpg readout.
Sounds like he cut all the engine harness out, that would eliminate the gauges I would think.

383 Vette - Did you leave your harness intact ? If not, Id like to know how you kept yours working. Im not too concerned about the mileage calculator...
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 05:46 PM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by jeff355
- Did you leave your harness intact ? If not, Id like to know how you kept yours working. Im not too concerned about the mileage calculator...
Don't cut anything, just tie the redundant injector harness up out of the way on the bellhousing so you can reinstall EFI anytime in future
Computer will still prime pump , key on
Oil pressure switch will still run pump should relay fail
Only thing that didn't work was fan so need a seperate fan switch in head
I have a EFI SP (4bbl) intake on my 383.
Can swap from carb to injection in no time by swapping carb /TB and dist and replacing the spring in the Aeromotive AFPR.
I my case I leave the injection harness in place and just pull the injector fuses
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 06:11 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by vetteoz
Don't cut anything, just tie the redundant injector harness up out of the way on the bellhousing so you can reinstall EFI anytime in future
Computer will still prime pump , key on
Oil pressure switch will still run pump should relay fail
Only thing that didn't work was fan so need a seperate fan switch in head
I have a EFI SP (4bbl) intake on my 383.
Can swap from carb to injection in no time by swapping carb /TB and dist and replacing the spring in the Aeromotive AFPR.
I my case I leave the injection harness in place and just pull the injector fuses
Would you happen to have a link for that kit by chance? I would love to take a look at it.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Black89Z51
Would you happen to have a link for that kit by chance? I would love to take a look at it.
What kit?
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by jeff355
Sounds like he cut all the engine harness out, that would eliminate the gauges I would think.

383 Vette - Did you leave your harness intact ? If not, Id like to know how you kept yours working. Im not too concerned about the mileage calculator...
No, I didn't cut anything. The harness on the left side of the motor pretty much feeds the sensors. These will allow the dash functions to work. The stuff that splits off to the right side is mostly engine management stuff. I pulled that back through the firewall and it is still intact under the passenger's kickpanel. I could/should remove all that stuff since I am now using an Accel Dfi unit for my SuperRam setup. I rewired the fuel pump relay since my ecu is in a cabinet. As mentioned, the cooling fan(s) need to be rewired.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by vetteoz
What kit?
The intake kit for carb/FI.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Black89Z51
The intake kit for carb/FI.
No kit. Gotta buy a FSM and figure it out. It's not that difficult and there is a lot of help on the forum available.
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Old Jan 20, 2011 | 11:07 PM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by Black89Z51
The intake kit for carb/FI.
No kit
Victor E EFI intake ( EFI version of Vic jnr )
Takes 4bbl TB like the Accufab I have or Holley carb
I have the supply line Tee'd so when swapping from EFI to carb just hook carb line up and change spring in AFPR.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AEI-13301/

Fuel still goes through rails but with fuses out injectors don't spray
All stock electronics with MSD 6
I run a MSD 85551 dist with carb and a F-Body small cap dist with EFI

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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 11:18 AM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by jeff355
Sounds like he cut all the engine harness out, that would eliminate the gauges I would think.

383 Vette - Did you leave your harness intact ? If not, Id like to know how you kept yours working. Im not too concerned about the mileage calculator...
Mine its a 90 Corvette L98. The tachometer signal comes from distributor (wich is cotroled by ECM--> wich was removed). Also the ECM gives the ground to the Oil temp sensor.
a damage instrument cluster its a common problem on C4s. So I decided go to autometer gauges.

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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 01:06 PM
  #74  
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Originally Posted by 79Rod
Mine its a 90 Corvette L98. The tachometer signal comes from distributor (wich is cotroled by ECM--> wich was removed). Also the ECM gives the ground to the Oil temp sensor.
a damage instrument cluster its a common problem on C4s. So I decided go to autometer gauges.

Looks nice. The 84 tach gets it's signal directly from the distributor. I guess that's progress.
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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 01:52 PM
  #75  
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1 more question for you 383 Vette.

I have an assortment of wheels around here from other projects.
What size are you running front and rear on your car? What about the backspacing front and rear to clear the brakes and stuff?

What about the tire sizes?

You can pm that info if you like. Thanx !
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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 02:36 PM
  #76  
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Hi Jeff. Fronts are Weld 15X4.5 with a 2" backspace (I think). I run MT frontrunners also 15X4.5". Rears are also Welds. 15X10 with 11.5X28 MT ET drags. (sorry, don't know the backspacing). Both the front and rears cleared the 84 brakes (even before the straight axle conversion).
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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 08:27 PM
  #77  
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Willie, if you ever get the chance to measure up the backspace, please let me know.

Oh ya, thanx.
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Old Jan 23, 2011 | 10:55 PM
  #78  
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Originally Posted by jeff355
Willie, if you ever get the chance to measure up the backspace, please let me know.

Oh ya, thanx.
When I get a chance, I'll pm you. Willie
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Old Jan 10, 2017 | 04:09 AM
  #79  
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Default Carb conversion from TPI list

Thanks for listing some of the useful knowledge about doing this swap. I have all parts: 4 bolt main 350 block, carb, engine parts and intake and HEI ready to go from previous upgrades over the decades just sitting on my shelf in man cave shop. I am faced with wanting power like my 69 Nova's 406sbc has with 520HP or my 79 el camino's 383 with 470HP, but this L98 TPI "POS" costs over $5000 to upgrade with mini ram $900, new mini ram fuel rails $300, bigger injectors $400, bigger cam kit $400, new stand alone ECU $2000, better heads $1000 for basic 2.02x1.60 180 intake runner aluminum heads, plus engine rebuild kit option $1000. I can rebuild my transmission and put in 2500 stall and keep my 3.07 rear diff and still only spend the money on the trans kit, stall, and adjustable fuel pressure regulator for all under $1000. I save money cause of my FREE old parts but I paid $5000 for my 90 vette, which is street value, that would be a waste to spend $5000 more for only 300 RWHP with the EFI/TPI upgrades, when my carb set up would make at least 100 more RWHP then TPI upgrades for cheap! Hell,c my 406 stroker costs under $5000 with ALL parts included and would smoke even the new vettes at the track running 10.77 in 1/4 mile on NA 93 octane fuel!!!!! Every single person who posts that keeping the TPI is better choice is either comfortable with a corvette that makes the same power as a new V6 Ford Taurus or they have no mechanical skills to make any upgrades without paying some one. Whatever their choice, my choice is all out power with the c4 having a baseline to handle modern day driving and run all out at the track too. ***Rant over***
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Old Jan 11, 2017 | 12:24 PM
  #80  
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Making it yours is what owning a Corvette is all about, indeed, the entire car hobby. There are many vettes here that have a lot of talent, money and deep thinking invested in them, in different doses. Carbs injection, I like/admire them all. Keep on turning wrenches and busting knuckles guys, your vettes are great.
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