I want to change to a carb from EFI on my 87 suburban.?

Question

I own a cherry 87 suburban with a 4 speed stick and no AC. It's a simple truck and I love Driving it. I just tossed out the smog pump and installed Headers with turbo Muffs. But the old EFI unit and dist. Have to go. I am looking to install a Manafold with a Holley 650 and a older dist that I can tune to my liking. I been building small blocks for 30 years and the EFI just does not cut it for me. I need to know if I can use the efi fuel pump, Bill

Answer 1

Bill, the tbi fuel pump will be ok. There isn't that much pressure there, however the camshaft grinds are different between a tbi and a carb.. You would be better off changing the cam while your at it. Hope this helps, John

The tbi fuel pump pushes 12-17 psi at shutoff usually 10 psi will push fuel past the needle and seat. I'd try it without a press. regulator before I dropped 40 bucks on one.

Answer 2

sure just use a carb fuel pressure regulator available from Holley
The stock intank fuel pump max pressure is 15 psi.
Carb max pressure is 5 psi
Are you in California? If so that conversion is illegal.
Whats wrong with the TBI unit and the Distributor?
Looking for more power? then the stock 195 HP ?
Try a Holley TBI kit which consists of Heads, Cam, Headers, 95 TBI fuel pump and Port Fuel injection intake and chip.
That set up is good for 80 more horses is 50 state legal and WAY better fuel mileage then converting back to a 4 bbl carb or try a Whipple Supercharger unit, that will get you 100 more Horses with the stock pulleys
You say you have been building SB chevy's for 30 years and you don't like Fuel injection. MMM way old school and outdated in my opinion.

Answer 3

I have done this on a camaro before, you need to install a fuel pressure regulator, the carb should only be running around 7 psi and your electric pump will put out 20-35 psi, I wouldn't get rid of the distributor though, it puts out alot more spark than the old points set up, if you want to change go with an accel or something like it.

Answer 4

i own a repair shop,and I'm doing a 91 right now ,,a complete restoration on it,you cant use the efi pump,,it has to much pressure on it,,and it wont have a by-pass system on it using a carburetor,,you need to take the pump out and install an older model sending unit,in it,,i had to go back to a 1981 model to get one without a pump that i could use on it,,i got a Long way to go with this one,but you,l have to get rid of the old pump,and either go outside electric with a regulator,or back to a manual pump,,I'm going manual on the engine,that give around 5 pounds of pressure,and that's plenty for that vehicle,,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.

Answer 5

should not be a problem if you put a fuel pressure regulator in the line set it at 7lbs +or- play with it alittle for best performance