Can someone answer the following?

1. Will I have to use a standard distributor or is there a way to make my current distributor run with a carb set up? I understand that the factory
ecm uses TPS as a input for timing. Can I make something work to retain
ECM control of timing?

2. Can I use the fuel pump I have now (wallbro 255) with a carb style AFPR
or do I have to go to a lower pressure unit?

3. What is the max height available for an intake/carb/aircleaner (measured from intake base to the top of the cleaner that will fit under a stock hood.

4. Do I have to cut my stock hood? Is there any way around this?

5. What guages/read-outs will I lose?

6. Will the transmission continue to lock up properly?

7. Will the fans still work from the ECM?

8. Will the O2 Sensor still function? Might be a useful tuning tool if it will still function.


I know there are a lot more questions that I haven't even considered yet. I'd appreciate any comments from those who have already converted their cars.
My car is moving rapidly toward a race only vehicle so streetability is barely a concern.

Thanks for the help!

Cory



[Modified by CHarris85Vette, 9:32 AM 10/2/2001]

 

Hi
All I can says is what I did when I converted to carburetor.
1. I used MSD distributor, non ECM (I can get you the part # if you will need it). I don't think that you can make your current distributor work, but I might be wrong.
2. I try to use my high pressure fuel pump to work, but run into problem and did not fell comfortable enough to play with it, so I changed to low pressure pump from Holley with the regulator.
3. Non - I run my car with 1" spacer (the best combination for the 383 ) and carburetor was all the way to the hood.
4. I did, but I think someone on this forum was running w/out the air cleaner. I would not run w/out the air cleaner, and you can always install hood scoup (I ordered one but not insatalled yet).
5. Only thing that I lost was the mpg and instant mpg. When you run the carbureted car, you will lose lots of the "economy"
6. I am not sure how that works, but my sims to work OK
:confused:
7. My fans are operated by manual switch and I am not sure if that would work (but I don't see whay not).
8. I disconect my 02 sensor and used A/F monitor gadget from Edelbrock in it's place. I don't think that 02 sensor would work, because you no longer have EFI and carburetor works on different principals.

If you have anymore questions, please ask.

Ziggy

 

88white vette covered it pretty much

1) stock distributor wont work, go with a msd pro billet for around 200-250
2) i run a mallory comp 140 carb pump with a $20 holley regulator. It fuels my car into the 700 horse area, through stock fuel lines. I left the EFI intank pump alone and suck gas out of the return line going into the tank and push it through the stock feed line. Pump is mounted behind license plate
3) stock hood clearance is tight. You need a drop base air cleaner (or no cleaner). A victor jr #2975 is about the lowest sitting intake and is great on performance. Its 1/4 inch lower than a performer rpm and will fit under stock hood
4) you dont need to cut stock hood. Just run victor jr with drop base
5) everything on mine still works but the gas mileage readout, avg mileage. everything else works.
6) mine still locks up fine. I just put in a $30 lockup solenoid that locks the converter with a manual switch and automatically in 4th gear.
7) fans still work but i wired them on a switch to run all the time
8) o2 still works.

I run a nitrous express plate under my carb so i went with a homemade cowl hood that i did for about 150 bucks...

 

Thanks for the info guys! I'm moving closer to starting the conversion.

Cory

 

Ziggy,
I've still got those take off injectors for you. Do you want me to send em back?

Cory

 

What made you want to convert to carburetor??
You not happy with the Mini Ram?

I am still waiting for this guy to read that chip. He's having some problems with sockets/plugs :confused: . Since you going to carburetor, you won't need the chip, so you could send them my way when you get chance (no rush)

Let us know how you are doing with your project, and we will try to help when possible.

Ziggy

 

Ziggy,
My decision to go to a carb wasn't intentional. Neither I nor any of the people I conferred with on my new build up ever considered the possibility of a severe port mis-match between the intake and the heads. To properly port the Miniram to mate up to Brodix track 1's would require welding quite a bit if additional material to the top of the ports. If I do all this work to the MR it makes it a piece that is only good for big port heads and therefore not something I can resell after I outgrow it. As far as I know, I'm the only guy who was going to run Track 1's with a MR. Ultimately, the plan was to step up to a carb intake with a carb style throttle body, but I can't justify creating what would effectively be a $2000 paperweight by the time it was all modified. The carb conversion can be done right now and all I'll really lose is my highway MPG. The car is far more race than street anyway, and I'll be towing to the track, so the loss is relatively minor.

 

I was just looking at the distributor and mine is the MSD Part # 85551. It's very easy to install and works like a clock. I have it conected to MSD 6AL ignition box.
Also on the fuel delivery, I am pulling fuel from the tank via stock supply line but I removed the fuel pump and extanded the pick-up by same amount with fuel filter and piece of hose. I also mounted my fuel pump (low pressure) bechind the lic. plate.

Ziggy

 

ive also done the carb conversion but on a tighter budget than most here.
1. i used a stock gm replacement hei unit and added a better ignition module and coil. its vacuum advanced. (under 100 bucks)
2. in the summit catalog, there is a fpr that will regulate your in tank pump down to a safer pressure for a carb. i think 88whitevette is using it. i use a holley red electric and removed my in tank pump.
3. it will be close--i have a edelbrock performer intake(dual plane), a holley 600, and a two inch open element style air cleaner, i think its around a 10 inch diameter. i can close the hood and it will NOT touch the inside.
4.if you want to
5.all my guages work so far, except the mileage
6. yes but wou will have to get a carb conversion piece to hook up the tv cable properly
7 i have mine wired to a switch
8 i dont see why it wouldnt

good luck on your conversion, its pretty straight forward and there are plenty of people here willing to give advice and help out if you get stuck or frustrated!!

 

Has anyone half way converted to a carb and lost interest? I need a few more parts to make my conversion complete. Anyone got a blower cap for a carb? How about something I can lower my fuel pressure to carb pressure?

Matt

 

Hey Matt,
I have a Mallory fule pressure regulator part #MAA-4309 which should be OK if you want to use return line. I will sel it chip if you going to go that way. I don't have anything extra for the carburetor.
Ziggy

 

Question, do you guys have problems passing emissions when you do this? I mean I know you can pass the smog test but what about the visual test? Are you all running smog pumps as well?

 

Good question. Unfortunately, it's not one I can answer. I haven't completed my conversion yet, but I do not live in a county with smog testing. It's technically rural (currently) and should remain such for another year or two. Beyond that I'm not concerned because this will be a track only car at about that same time frame. I'm sure one could make it such it that it will pass the sniffer, but the visual...? I'll bet most of us have a healthy cam that is not healthy for the environment. If this is the case it won't pass emissions.
Don't do this if you aren't serious.

Cory

 

With my cam I don't think I can pass smog or visual. In April I am schedule to go to the test and I am planning to apply for the race/show car registration, this will allow me to drive my car to and from shows racing events and weekends. With this registration you don't need to go for the tet. I think there's restriction on milage you can put in 1 year (7500 miles), which I don't worry about anyways. I drive my car to and from events anyways and I don't use it on every day basis so for me the special registration will work just fine. :chevy
I know some people with Vipers that have done that, and they still drive their cars during the week, just not using it as daily transportation.

Ziggy