Cascade Crew

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:09 am Post subject: V6 guys: Advice please

Looking to build a little V6 beater truck for work/parts hauling. I have a line on a pre-85 S10 with the older-style 2.8, electric 2-barrel Ewwwww

and a 4 speed.

Right now my plan is to buy Bruce's 3.1, a craigslist S10-style T-5, get a multiport MAP harness from any V6 camaro, and do the swap. I already know I'll need the later-style S10 oil pan to clear the crossmember, but other than that I think I'm good.

Is there anything else I need to watch out for doing this swap? I figure if I keep the camaro engine hanress intact, and run it alongside the old S10 carb harness I wont have to splice to many wires. I don't know the 60* 6's from a hole in the ground, but gas mileage kinda forces my hand. Laughing

blue89 · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:35 am Post subject:

I'll volunteer my info. You'll also need the new tank and fuel lines for a TBI truck and a pump from the 3.1 donor car (or buy a new one). Tank should be easy as they bolt to the frame. The harness is pretty stand-alone already. Make sure you get the dash side as well so you can do the VATS bypass or get a chip burned with it deleted, which might be a wiser decision.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:37 am Post subject:

So the TBI tank will take the multiport pump no problem?

blue89 · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:00 am Post subject:

They pumps are the same physically. You need the TBI setup since it has all the return lines and stuff you'll need for the MPFI. 91vert (Jay) has done this swap on his old S10, I'm sure he has pictures and can give more specific advice as to what is needed.

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:14 am Post subject:

I'll lend whatever help I can, even turn wrenches. Not sure what you want to do about the EGR, the 3.1 is a totally digital piece (and quite pricey) with no vacuum input and controlled only by the ECM. If the motor already has it on, that's fine, if not, I'm sure it can be blocked off and programmed out.

91RSVert · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:30 am Post subject:

I put the 3.4 SFI in my old s10. So Ive done very similar.

Yes, the TBI tank will fit an MPFI pump no problem. Just make sure you replace that 1-2" of adapter hose with high pressure hose and double hose clamp it.

The wiring is fairly strait forward. As you said, you want MAP, which came in 91/92 fbody. But, to satisfy the vss stuff AND run your old speedo cable, you will have to get a special thing to bolt into the trans that will send vss signal, and still bolt your cable to it. Ive seen it on jegs, I'm sure summit has something as well.

Not sure how the carb fuel lines go. But take that extra length of high pressure hose and use that in the bay to get fuel.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

I ran an '86-87 Camaro MPFI 2.8 under the '84 Carbed S-10 manifold with a 5 speed. Ran 10 times better than the 4.3L TBI model I had later.

It's not a CC carb.

Put a kit in it and go. Ran fantastic.

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:

@ Jay, Autometer electric speedo solves that problem. Wink

@ Paul, I had just assumed it was electric. It does run pretty good with it actually. I may go with the carb intake initially, and then do the multiport swap later on.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

I had an '84 s-10 pickup as well. It ran okay with the stock 2.8 but the camaro 2.8 under the s-15 (same carb) ran way better. Well... I mean they both ran good but the maro motor had more power and it was in a 4x4 vs the 2wd pickup.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:58 am Post subject:

You guys know that the 86+ 2.8's have bigger valves right? I forgot what they were but they were increased to 1.72 on the intake. Could be the increase in power you were noticing between the old and new 2.8's you swapped in.

If I were to do it again I think I would go 2.8 with a 2bbl carb. IMHO the mpfi intakes were teh suck for flowing air. Or go TBI with a ported intake to run the 5.0/5.7 throttle body.

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:56 am Post subject:

You guys have kinda changed my mind on this. I'm now thinking Bruce's 3.1 + my 2-barrel intake might be a better swap. Plus way less wiring and no tank swap for me. Very Happy

91RSVert · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

Would be cheaper and faster. Plus if your use to carbs, its familer zone for you. You will have to find a s10 carb dizzy which shouldnt be that hard to find.

I dont know the first thing about carbs.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

Just get rid of the worthless 2bbl rochester. I have yet to see one of those work right. Get a decent Holley or Edelbrock 2bbl.

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:58 am Post subject:

Carbs are sort of a learning curve for me right now. Laughing

I've worked on FI cars for years, and just in the past few months I've been learning about tuning the Holley on the Mercury.

I already have a vacuum advance dizzy in the truck now. I'm assuming it will be a drop-in on the 3.1 if I swap intake manifolds.

BTW, on a related note for you guys that have owned these carbs, is there any way I can reduce the vacuum line spaghetti under the hood? There looks to be a good two or three miles of that stuff running all over, and they're all cracked and old. Rolling Eyes

blue89 · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:06 am Post subject:

There is always a way to reduce it Rolling Eyes

Pretty sure the only things that need vacuum are the carb and heater control (if S10's have them). I've seen some of them have temperature controlled vacuum switches though so I'm sure it depends on what year and options you have. Technically speaking though, I'm sure you could get rid of a lot of it.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:30 am Post subject:

I've got a Holley 2300 350cfm 2bbl freshly done. Well I have to put the pieces back together but fresh kit and all the parts are shiney now.

Travis, I've had two the worked great.

Aaron, if you run a 2.8 out of a FI car, the fuel pump wont work. Plumb an inline in the pickup and run a filter BEFORE the pump.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:58 am Post subject:

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject:

blue89 · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:55 am Post subject:

touche

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

Okay, so I have a line on a guy who is selling an Edelbrock Torker intake for the 2.8 with a 390 carb on it. Problem is he wants $350 for the setup, or trade for my blown T-56. Summit only wants $250 for the intake brand new, and I can probably get a small used 4-barrel, so I'm thinking it's probably not worth it.

Anyone use that setup before, or have any experience? I'm hesitant to do it since I'm worried that the mileage will go down the toilet, which was the whole point of this build in the first place.

*Edit: BTW, Paul, shoot me a price on that Holley 2-barrel. Is it a drop-in replacement for the Rochester?