I have a 85 El camino that currently has the 4.3 TBI and 200 trans and I am going to a v8 swap in it. I am planning on running the following set up and would appreciate any tips anybody has.I am putting a GM 350/330hp w/vortec heads Crate Motor and use the GM intake for TBI (I have a complete Dist &TBI setup from a 1988 Suburban with all the sensors ) and use a TH350 Trans (nonlockup) with the auto/manual kit and some minor mods (rated to about 400HP).Does anyone have any tips on this change out ? I am going to have A/c &p/s cause this will be a driver I know I will need to change the ECM Prom to a upgraded one does anyone know of someone who does custom proms ? I am going to run headers and the Gforce crossmember with 2 1/2 in exhaust but am up in the air on what model flowmasters I want, I am looking for the model that sounds good out the tail pipe but keeps the interior noise down Any Ideas?I am also thinking of using a electric fan setup instead of a fan clutch any comments on this also?Any tips on Radiator to use ? Well I have wore my one finger out typing for now anyone with any Ideas or suggestions please respond . Thanks Ray

Sounds like you got all it planned out :D Id suggest the delta series (40 or 50) flowmaster for a quieter rumble inside. Really good sounding. I have delta 50.. If you wanna hear what they sound like, just goto their site, as they have wav files of each model.
About your elec. fans. Just run a fan clutch. Itll keep it cooled properly, and not give you that big of a boost compared to reliability ;/ Electric fans dont nearly come close to a fan clutch in airflow. No reason to run the risk of frying ur new engine ;/ And the stock radiator does a fine job of cooling. No need to go w/ an expensive alum. radiator, unless your going for show quality. I had a 383 in mine and it never got above 170 degrees. I now have a 400 that doesnt go over 180 ;/ and thats w/ all stock cooling.

on the g Force crossmember..recently we have been talking about this guy in other topics that makes his own crossmemer built for true duals and it is supposidly much better than the g- force crossmemer plus its oly 100$$(as of now) look at the disscusion topic "whats this X-Member" it will give you ev erything we have been talking about about rick (the guy with the cross member, check it out it might be just what you need for cheeper!

Thanks for the info . Ray

...I am putting a GM 350/330hp w/vortec heads Crate Motor and use the GM intake for TBI (I have a complete Dist &TBI setup from a 1988 Suburban with all the sensors )...
You'll need to use the 1227747 ECM. Is that what you currently have in your Elky?

I am getting the 1227747 with the TBI setup I bought it is currently a 1226868 with the 4.3 any tips on getting a performance chip burned for this change out ? Thanks Ray

...any tips on getting a performance chip burned for this change out ?...
There are lots of people who have hacked their way into the EPROM.

http://www.tbichips.com They specialize in 87-95 TBI chips and they sell a Stage 1 performance chip for the 1227747 ECU.

http://www.diy-efi.org/diy_efi.html These guys have a lot of good reading material if you want to try hacking the EPROM yourself.

I had a 350 TBI in my 79 El Camino SS. I'll be putting one in my sons 79 Malibu pretty soon too.

You said you are going to use:

GM 350/330hp w/vortec heads Crate Motor and use the GM intake for TBI

Is this an intake you already have? If so you might want to double check it. The Vortec heads are different then other heads and not just any intake will work. There are differences in the intake ports. Maybe also the exhaust ports so you might have to do something for the exhaust manifolds or headers.

I checked into this and as of now GM is the only manufacturer of the TBI intake for Vortec heads ( I talked to someone who has experience in this and was told that GM went to Edelbrock to develop it and GM holds the rights to it ) I don't know if that is true or not but it does make $&cents since these manifolds go from about $320.00 to upper 3's. Has anyone else heard of this to confirm if it is true ?

Running a electric fan is way better than using a clutch fan. The reliablity & air flow of modern fans will be more than enough to keep it cool. Plus faster warm up & the noticable increase the performance.

Dear Razor376:

I have a 1985 Chev Monte Carlo with a 4.3 V-6 with /TH-200 Lockup with ECM:1226868 Prom:FYX-0382 and I wanted to put a V-8 Engine in it with no ECM Change at all:
1.Engine: 1982 Pont Firebird V-8 HO-305 Chev with TH-350 Transmission
2.1987 Late GM V-8 TBI Distrutor #GM-1103838/1103749
or MSD#8386
3.GM base Gasket GM:14081271
4.GM#10159409 Intake Gasket Set
5.Edelbrock 3704 TBI Intake Manifold
6.Change Rad, and hats it.

Yours Truly
Powhatan

Dear Razor376:

E-Mail Me at powhatanorg@Earthlink.net, I Change The TBI 4.3 V-6 with a V-8 305 with a TH-350 and ECM-1226868 PROM FYX-0382also I may add that a ECM 16646299 will work also my Intake is a Edelbrock TBI Unit and Dist GM-1103838/1103749

Yours Truly,

Powhatan

Dear Razor376:

I have a 1985 Chev Monte Carlo with a 4.3 V-6 with /TH-200 Lockup with ECM:1226868 Prom:FYX-0382 and I wanted to put a V-8 Engine in it with no ECM Change at all:
1.Engine: 1982 Pont Firebird V-8 HO-305 Chev with TH-350 Transmission


After owning a 4.3 TBI, I'd say going to a 305 w/o an ECM is a step down in perfromance. I don't think there was a 305 HO in 1982.

If you're going thru the hassle of the swap, at least go with a 350.