Oldsmobile 350 TBI in a Buick Hearse project

Ok here is what I have. It is my room mates car but I do the wrenching on it. She does the electrical and wiring. It is a 1988 Buick Hearse with a 73 Oldsmobile 350 engine. I have been wanting to do EFI on an Oldsmobile engine for quite some time and now it may happen. We plan on using a 454 2 inch bore TBI with 80lbs injectors on an Edelbrock Performer intake with an adapter plate. We will be using a MegaSquirt for the computer. We don't plan on having the MegaSquirt to spark as right now it is set up nice using a Mallory Unilite distributor. If I want to upgrade we could find a way to either wire it into the MegaSquirt or I have a new in box billet MSD distributor we could either wire in or hook to an MSD controller. But really don't see a need as of yet. We plan on using the stock take with a fuel pump/sending unit rig from a 90's whale body wagon. Should swap right in. We are thinking of going with a Walbro 255 pump but are up for suggestions. I have heard the stock pump can run out of steam at times. And we plan on playing with the pressures as we get it in tune. Big thing is will the stock feed and return lines be up to the task? We will upgrade the hoses. I plan on using AN fittings and wire braided hose between the lines and the TBI as that all has to be run anyway. And I have most of the fittings I would need. About all we do need that we don't already have is the sending unit/fuel pump rig, the hoses and sensors. We will run a Spectre air hat and complete cold air intake with a sealed off filter in the fender. All with 3 inch tubing. That way too if we decide we can run an air intake sensor in the hat. BTW that car also has true duals on it.

I don't know why anyone would convert to EFI without using the spark control, that's missing out on 60% of what the EFI controller can do.

A friend of mine uses Olds engines pretty much exclusively in his (and his GF's) cars. He has a '71 Cutlass with a built 455, and custom 4 bbl throttle body backed by a 4L80E, that we run off a stock GM ECM. His GF's car, an '89 Caprice has a similar, though slightly less built combo, and he will be installing a 403 in his '90's Olds Custom Cruiser wagon. The Wagon will be using a stock 454 TBI, and a different ECM than we used in his other cars, but the trans will be the same.

The biggest thing I've found with the BBO engines is that they like fuel and thy like timing. I haven't tuned a SBO yet, to know if they react similarly.

I would swap the entire fuel tank into from the whale, which is another part of the recipe my friend uses. On his Cutlass he has an Aeromotive fuel pump, on the Caprice it has Ford pump, I don't recall the application, but it works well. With the single 454 TB and only 2 80 lbs/hr injectors you should be fine with a stock pump, but a Walbro also fits right in place and is what I use in my Turbo V6 Datsun.

The hard part about tanks around here is I have heard the u-pull-it yards hole the tanks to drain them. Not sure if this is true or not. Olds engines in general like alot of timing in them. The 403 is a small block too. We may do spark but not right away. I have a 4 barrel TB that can be used either as a straight TB or as a TBI but not sure what injectors it takes. Also don't feel like paying a ton of cash to adapt and intake.
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That's an old (or a copy of the) AirSensors throttle body now sold by Auto-Nomics. It's been machined for IAC and TPS. Originally the system would have been MAF equipped with four Bosch injectors supplied by small fuel rails. http://www.autoinsanity.com/Howtos/EFI/tbody.jpg



You could likely machine it to accept other brand injectors, or you might be able to locate some injectors that have hose barbs from the early to mid-80s. I've had one of those TB's on my bench for years. It seems like I always opt for the easy way out and use a GM TB instead of doing the work to machine rails etc to use the AirSensors TB.

You have more to gain IMO by sticking with a carb and switching to computerized spark. Why can't you integrate the Unilite with GM electronics?

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Originally Posted by 1project2many

That's an old (or a copy of the) AirSensors throttle body now sold by Auto-Nomics. It's been machined for IAC and TPS. Originally the system would have been MAF equipped with four Bosch injectors supplied by small fuel rails. http://www.autoinsanity.com/Howtos/EFI/tbody.jpg



You could likely machine it to accept other brand injectors, or you might be able to locate some injectors that have hose barbs from the early to mid-80s. I've had one of those TB's on my bench for years. It seems like I always opt for the easy way out and use a GM TB instead of doing the work to machine rails etc to use the AirSensors TB.

You have more to gain IMO by sticking with a carb and switching to computerized spark. Why can't you integrate the Unilite with GM electronics?

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Definately agree on the spark control. Its not like its difficult or anything with a small block olds. The 307s throughout the 80s had the distributor you need with the 7 pin HEI EST module.

I have worked with a couple oldsmobile EFI conversions and one Cadillac 500 PFI swap.

All good info I will keep it in mind.

As was said a few times the whole EFI package is the way to go.

I run a 454 TBI unit on my 403 Oldsmobile in my 98 Regency, it sits on top of a 2812 Victor manifold with an adapter plate , Distributor from a 307 with the 7 pin module , 16197427 PCM controls the fuel and timing and it also controls the 700R4 I have behind it .

Makes a great cruiser ......

TOM

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Originally Posted by Nasty-Z

As was said a few times the whole EFI package is the way to go.

I run a 454 TBI unit on my 403 Oldsmobile in my 98 Regency, it sits on top of a 2812 Victor manifold with an adapter plate , Distributor from a 307 with the 7 pin module , 16197427 PCM controls the fuel and timing and it also controls the 700R4 I have behind it .

Makes a great cruiser ......

TOM

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If the 700r4 ever died I would swap in a 4L60E or better yet 4L80E.

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Originally Posted by Fast355

If the 700r4 ever died I would swap in a 4L60E or better yet 4L80E.

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100% agreed :rockon:

TOM

Nasty-Z just noticed you are in the Poconos. Maybe We could meet and I could get a look at your 98 and pick your brain. I am in Allentown.

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Originally Posted by The Stickman

Nasty-Z just noticed you are in the Poconos. Maybe We could meet and I could get a look at your 98 and pick your brain. I am in Allentown.

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Sent you a P/M

TOM