Frankenchevy
Proverbs 16:18
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2018
- Posts
- 6,098
- Reaction score
- 7,806
- Location
- USA
- First Name
- Jeremy
- Truck Year
- Square
- Truck Model
- CUCV
- Engine Size
- Small
Hello. Let me start by saying I’m not a mechanic. I’ve worked on small engines on motorcycles and air cooled vws. Other than that, just maintenance items on various vehicles. Let me also say, all in, I’m trying to keep this project around $4000 bearing in mind the longblock manifold, electronic ignition, EFI, serpentine setup and fuel tank/pump mods. Been kicking around what do with my truck for quite sometime now. Went back and forth on a Cummins swap, but decided to just buy a 1st gen cummins.
I finally settled on l31r vortec longblock from Chevy with a self learning efi system. I’m mostly focused on reliability and fuel economy. Don’t need a bunch of hp, just usable torque.
As the truck sits, it is a 327 with a t400 behind it. That little revver has to push my heavy 3/4 ton, t400, and 14-bolt & Dana 60 king pin front. It isn’t an ideal pairing. The fuel is supplied by dual saddle tanks, only one of which I use regularly. For now I’m sticking with that transmission until I can figure out something sweet like a 6l80e down the road.
My three questions are:
1. What is the best route on the fuel supply? Who makes the cheapest reliable solution to the efi fuel pump? I’ve seen quite a few inline ones that get okay feedback, but I can’t mount it lower than the k20s stock tanks, it would be to prone to getting damaged by a stick or rock. I want to get ethanol compatible on pump, tank and lines. I was thinking an oem 87 tank, but not sure of an ethanol proof fuel pump to go inside the tank.
2. Which EFI? I am leaning towards the newest version of the Holley sniper efi @$800-1100 depending on if you get their fuel supply setup. I like the feedback on their customer support. I know the more expensive units have the ability to control electronic trannies, but they are double the money and I can wait. Besides, most say they control 4l60e or 80e, not much about other trannies. By the time I get around to that, maybe stand alone tranny controllers will be cheaper..
3. Probably the most straight forward question. I’d like a link to an affordable flex plate for a one piece rear main 350 to a t400 trans.
My main concern is reliable pressure and something that can handle our horrible e15 fuel. This fuel is what has mudded up my current carbureted setup as the truck sees very occasional use. The amount of moisture our newer fuel out here sucks up is incredible!
Since these EFI systems have been out for a long while now and are getting more popular, I figured I’d rely on the most up to date knowledge from this forum, rather than the 5 year old posts google returns.
I finally settled on l31r vortec longblock from Chevy with a self learning efi system. I’m mostly focused on reliability and fuel economy. Don’t need a bunch of hp, just usable torque.
As the truck sits, it is a 327 with a t400 behind it. That little revver has to push my heavy 3/4 ton, t400, and 14-bolt & Dana 60 king pin front. It isn’t an ideal pairing. The fuel is supplied by dual saddle tanks, only one of which I use regularly. For now I’m sticking with that transmission until I can figure out something sweet like a 6l80e down the road.
My three questions are:
1. What is the best route on the fuel supply? Who makes the cheapest reliable solution to the efi fuel pump? I’ve seen quite a few inline ones that get okay feedback, but I can’t mount it lower than the k20s stock tanks, it would be to prone to getting damaged by a stick or rock. I want to get ethanol compatible on pump, tank and lines. I was thinking an oem 87 tank, but not sure of an ethanol proof fuel pump to go inside the tank.
2. Which EFI? I am leaning towards the newest version of the Holley sniper efi @$800-1100 depending on if you get their fuel supply setup. I like the feedback on their customer support. I know the more expensive units have the ability to control electronic trannies, but they are double the money and I can wait. Besides, most say they control 4l60e or 80e, not much about other trannies. By the time I get around to that, maybe stand alone tranny controllers will be cheaper..
3. Probably the most straight forward question. I’d like a link to an affordable flex plate for a one piece rear main 350 to a t400 trans.
My main concern is reliable pressure and something that can handle our horrible e15 fuel. This fuel is what has mudded up my current carbureted setup as the truck sees very occasional use. The amount of moisture our newer fuel out here sucks up is incredible!
Since these EFI systems have been out for a long while now and are getting more popular, I figured I’d rely on the most up to date knowledge from this forum, rather than the 5 year old posts google returns.