1986 CCC 454 Convert to TBI 454

[HotRodPC]

As most of you know, my Blue C20, originally an 86, so it has a wiring harness for Computer Command Control 454 where it has the ESC and the -E carb with the Idle Mixture Solenoid and Throttle Position Sensor. Of course that -E carb has been removed long ago, and I've installed a standard non ECM Distributor.

Since the 87-90 TBI 454's are basically the same Gen IV 454's as the mid 80's Carbed motors but an adapter is used on the Qjet Intake for the TBI. Anyone know if it's the same heads and all??? Same Dizzy too or does it use a different dizzy like the SBC TBI's used? I don't recall. Been so many years since I worked on a 80's 454 and didn't work on many way back then.

I've been wanting a TBI, or Vortec engine in the K10 all along to avoid the carb fuel starvation issue on inclines. So rather than dick around trying to acquire TBI heads and blah blah for a SBC, I'm thinking of running this low mileage 454 I have in the C20, aloing with the A833 and NP208 and 4.10's. Not like a TBI 454 has mega hp and torque and will hurt the A883 and NP208.

So can someone make me a wish list of what I'd need as far as Adapter, TBI Unit, Dizzy, ECM, Wiring harness, blah blah blah. And is it a stand alone harness from the ECM? Fuel Tanks and in take fuel pumps will be needed too.

And who might have this stuff I need to do it. It's my intent to have this K10 running by this summer, preferably late spring.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Looks like heads are all the same through 1990.

Dizzy is different but as you know, you can use a 305, 350 or 454 EFI dizzy.

You can either have the ECM tuned or run a manual trans 7747.

 

[HotRodPC]

So for the ECM and Auto trans, All the ECM should be doing is controlling Lock Up of the TCC. If I run a Th350, Th400, or Manual Trans, shouldn't need to worry about TCC unless I run a 700r4 or Th350C.

Does Wrench A Part, or Budget Wrench have many Big Blocks? You just won't see Big Blocks in Pull A Part here, so I'll have to find this intake adapter, and TBI Unit other ways.

How about the Intake? What years are they the same? I'm pretty sure 88 used a different intake, but would my 1986 intake also be a TBI intake?

 

[HotRodPC]

Just for notation purposes. My intake cast # is 14087487. I'll be looking to see if this is one of the intakes that accepts the TBI adapter.

 

[HotRodPC]

Some Pic Notes.

First Pic is a 1990 QJet/TBI Intake

2nd and 3rd Pic are 1988 Qjet/TBI Intake.

 

[HotRodPC]

For some more of my notes... Here is some pics of the intake I have on my 454, cast # 14087487. This is for a fact as I suspected, a Peanut Port head motor. This intake does appear to have the same Qjet shape that the 88 and 90 454 intake look like that use the TBI Adapter. So I feel pretty confident, my 454 can be converterd to TBI by simply using the adapter and adding the TBI unit, and using the same intake, heads exhaust manifolds and all.

 

[HotRodPC]

And my 454 also has the knock sensor in it already too since it had an ESC or CCC ECM in it, which is currently bypassed. I'll need that the knock sensor to go along with the TBI HEI Dizzy.

But it appears my current intake will work with these 2 item. I do believe this is the GM OEM TBI adapter that came on 87-90 454 TBI engines.

Hmm, converting a mid 80's 454 to TBI seems to be much easier than doing a SBC doesn't it? I think this just might work out if i can gather up the parts.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

About 2-3 a month for a 454, gotta be quick though.

The intake seems to be different for 1987-90 though.

 

[bucket]

I'm all for putting a 454 in your K10, but your logic has me stumped. Why is it easier to TBI swap a 454 rather than a small block?

 

[HotRodPC]

Because I have a used 350 Carbed and ready to roll, but I don't have to use TBI heads and intake or add a knock sensor where the 454 is ready for the adapter and TBI now. Just seems I'd be a couple steps ahead already to use the 454. It's not really a power thing, although more torque in the K10 would be nice, I'm more after some form of injection in the K10 to avoid the carb fuel starvation on inclines.

I'm pretty sure there's been another plan change anyway and it goes along real well with using the 454 out of the blue C20 anyway if you know whutta mean.

Just trying to nail down permanent plans that makes sense, the cheapest way possible so I know what I want to start bringing from my dads to work on here at the house this spring. This **** has sat to fuggin long and broke or not, I want to be working on something. Also knowing for sure what I'm going to use, I can start selling some of the other parts to put this one together.

I guess I oughta update the K10 thread with the plan change. Some might be a shocked or disagree.

 

[HotRodPC]

About 2-3 a month for a 454, gotta be quick though.

The intake seems to be different for 1987-90 though.

Wait? Whut? Where the **** are all the pic I posted for my pic notes? What makes you think the intake is different?

EDIT: Ho Lee *** !!! I found them. I put them in the wrong thread. I'll be moving them over here where they go.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Hollander says it is for some reason, but they have been known to be wrong.

 

[HotRodPC]

About 2-3 a month for a 454, gotta be quick though.

The intake seems to be different for 1987-90 though.

Ok, so I put my pics back here where they were intended. I got my intake cast #, and comparing pics of the 1988 and the 90 intake manifolds. The carb area appears to be the same shape, the EGR is in the same location and so are the EGR ports in the intake in the same place. Now that is just comparing pics of my cast # to the 88 and 90 intakes. I did not take my intake off. Just got the Cast # and found pics of it for comparison. What's appears to be different.

 

[HotRodPC]

Hollander says it is for some reason, but they have been known to be wrong.

Ahh OK, it's a Hollander thing. And it could be they don't match up my years that GM used them, but in appearance, it appears my intake is very similar to the 88 and 90 intakes. Maybe I'm missing something. If anyone sees a difference that would hinder this idea, lemme know. If I can't use the adapter and have to get a different intake, then I'd rather just use a 91-95 intake and avoid adapter. However, I wonder if that adapter might add a few ponies. Many say that a spacer does add performance. Negligible at best, but any few extra is better than none.

 

[HotRodPC]

Hey, I just had a brain fart. It appears that a 91 350 and a 91 454 use the same ECM. Soooo how about the wiring harness? Now I'm wondering how hard would it be to put this 454 in the 91 TBI 350 Burb? Swap motor mounts of course. Find that intake adapter, then could I use the smaller 350 TBI unit on that adapter? Meaning, Does the 350 TBI and the 454 TBI have the same footprint and bolt pattern? Maybe I'll get the Burb running with the 454 and just drive it until I come across or acquire a 4x4 Burb Frame.