TBI 350 rebuild suggestions

droptail · May 28, 2004

Could anyone direct me to any threads/info. regarding smog legal engine rebuilds for my '90 5.7. Maybe what heads, cam, cr, exhaust manifold we can get away with (in CA). Also, while I'm at it, any upgrades for the 5-speed?

Thanks

Elwood 2000 · May 28, 2004

I would seriously check with GM on a new crate engine, unless you are wanting to build in a little more than stock.

For my '79 a little over a year ago, I bought a BRAND NEW GM 350 from my Chevy dealer, complete from valve covers to oil pan with a 3 yr./36k mile warranty for $1600 out the door.

Just a thought.

OUMike · May 28, 2004

$1600 for a crate motor??? What kinda power/torque did this motor produce?

maroonsilverado · May 29, 2004

yeah, if you're going with a bone stock rebuild id check on a GM crate motor.

if you're wanting to go a little more than stock here's what i put in mine. forged pistons, stock connecting rods and crank, a edelbrock cam.....that's the kicker right there. you can't go to overboard with the crank on a computer controlled vehicle or else it wont run right. the knock sensor will mess with things and adjust the timing accordingly. but edelbrock makes a cam for the performer series #3702 (i BELIEVE, double check that) for computer controlled small blocks from 89-98. i used the stock heads and intake for the next few months, but had them ported/polished. the heads and intake edelbrock sells in the performer line should come with a C.A.R.B # and be 100% compatible with everything you have on the stock engine.....i know the cam has the carb #.

then i'm running an accel distributor/coil/wires. im not sure if they have the carb # or not, but im prett sure they do.

as for exhaust......if you do work after the cat it dont matter, but im sure you knew that. once again we can turn to edelbrock, they have a manifold replacement that i believe is carb approved, but you'd have to double check. i know they claim a pretty good gain on their cat-back exhaust. i KNOW my exhuast wouldn't pass the sniffer.......i dont even have any cats on mine

Elwood 2000 · May 29, 2004

$1600 for a crate motor??? What kinda power/torque did this motor produce?

This was a bone stock 350 cu. in. engine for a 1979 Chevrolet truck. Nothing more, nothing less. For what I did with the truck, the power was sufficient.

They sell engines per application when getting stock. Just give them your year/make/model and possibly your VIN in case there is a break mid-year for some reason.

I considered a big block and almost wish I had done it, but that would have meant purchasing a new intake, headers, etc.