Cheap TBI injection?

[crazypurgatory]

Is there any body that's makes a cheap TBI injection kit?
I looked at Holley and there stuff starts at 900 and up.
I can go to a salvage yard and get a TBI for cheap and what would you need to run it O2's a TPS and a MAP sensor.
Thats around 80 bucks and what ever you would pay for a TBI unit that I'm sure is dirt cheap.
Then all you need is a very simple computer and make it able to be programed by a laptop.
Whats the big deal?
Why are they so much money?
I had a 79 cadillac eldorado that had a TBI setup just like I said but the computer was bad and I went to a carburetor at the time because it was cheaper than replacing the computer and the car was turning into a money pit.

 

[THOMAS81Z]

yea i would love to do this also but it still some cash and i dont drive the z enough to justify the cash outlay

 

[John Wright]

Chris...you can pick up a TPI system for a few hundred....either way you still have to work out the electronics, harness and the fuel tank pickup which can be a few hundred more....I get emails from ebay daily where a new listing is posted for a TPI system for sale....I also know of a board member who has a complete one, I had talked with him briefly when I was looking for one.

 

[crazypurgatory]

Chris...you can pick up a TPI system for a few hundred....either way you still have to work out the electronics, harness and the fuel tank pickup which can be a few hundred more....I get emails from ebay daily where a new listing is posted for a TPI system for sale....I also know of a board member who has a complete one, I had talked with him briefly when I was looking for one.

I would think the electronics would be the hardest part.
The Cadillac I had had a external pump and I don't think it even had a return which means it had a low pressure fuel pump.
I wish some body said here's a computer it's 200 bucks with a diagram of inputs and outputs go to the salvage and get this and that and have fun.
O yea and of course some software to program it and how to make a cable to interface with it.

Waite you are saying TPI.
I'm saying TBI.
Two different things.

 

[tom3]

Keep in mind that you need to match the computer prom to the engine, even a TBI from a 305 doesn't match up too great with a stock 350. A truck setup might be the best to start with.

 

[John Wright]

I
Waite you are saying TPI.
I'm saying TBI.
Two different things.

Correct Tuned Port Injection..not Throttle Body Injection.

 

[jwscab]

it's easy enough to do either. for tpi, you've got vettes and camaros.

for tbi, there are 3 different varations, and all work pretty well.

early tbi trucks, most simple
later tbi trucks, more complex, can run electronic trans
tbi cars, 4.3l, 5.0l, 5.7l, all pretty much use the same ecms, just different 'chips' they are also earlier and later versions.

yes, you can do it cheaply. the first tbi set up I installed was pulled from a full size chevy van, got everything i needed for around 80bucks at a u pull it.(probably paid less that it was worth). retrofit it into a 81 buick regal and it ran sweet.

the hardest part is not the harness/computer, it ends up being the fuel system. TBI is more forgiving becuase the pressures are lower. TPI requires higher pressure and good fittings.

all in all, systems you see for sale normally include the manufacturers custom ecm or controller, and brand new electronics (sensors, wiring, etc) which drives the cost up.

in the scrapyards, electronics are viewed not very highly, often with no warranty, so harnesses and ecms go reasonably cheap (I like to make sure the harness looks like a rats nest, the guy takes one look and says 'uh....twenty bucks') nicccceee......

there is plenty of info on the net:
try searching on:
'ludis langens'
'gm ecm'
'thirdgen.org'
'fullsizechevy'

plenty of others that specialize in one body type or another also exist.

 

[ejpii]

If your looking to stay with stock components. I believe this is where you should start. I phoned him several years ago and he was very helpful.

http://www.howellefi.com/shop/customer/home.php

 

[takid455]

you can get used Holley Projection setups pretty reasonable.

 

[GoldenOne7710]

Keep in mind, if you switch over to a GM TBI setup, then you'll need to do your homework to see if you'll need the bigger injectors. The injectors for the V6s and V8s are different.....and the V8 injectors are specific to engine size. We used a modified throttle body and fitted it with injectors specific to a '91 GM 454 SS truck. We also used an injector pod spacer as well as a throttle body spacer which improves the air charge velocity. Go to http://www.tbichips.com and read up about what works best with certain mods. We based our entire intake/fuel system off this guys work and it turned out flawless.