TBI carbs. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

grs · 09-08-2010, 01:43 AM

What year did Chevy put TBI carbs on there trucks. I may get an 85. The guy said it had a TBI carb. And do they have a computer box to make them operate?

irishman999 · 09-08-2010, 01:57 AM

TBI means "Throttle body injection", They started that in 1987.

motornut · 09-08-2010, 05:26 AM

Well i have a 85 with a tbi at least it's regestered as a 85.In the last month maybe, i've been all over this and nope seems mine is the only one lol.But thats another story,and now i can drive it like i stole it!!

RandyP · 09-08-2010, 08:00 AM

Just like Euro money ending up in the US, things get transplanted. If you have a 1985 GM truck with TBI, someone added it during its lifetime, it did not come from the factory that way. The TBI is actually fairly easy to add on, and yes you have to have the ECM to go with it.
As mentioned, 1987 was the first year GM offered the TBI in their truck, suburban and K5 blazers. Was also the first year for the 350 to be available in a 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton, and I believe it was the first year of the center bolt heads.

Having been through all the TBI stuff on my 87 model, if I had it to all do over again it would be carbureted instead, or have a LS1 installed instead.

bigblock73 · 09-08-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyP

Was also the first year for the 350 to be available in a 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton

Maybe first year for a 350 with TBI, but 70's 1/2 ton C10's had 350's available in them from the factory...even 454's up thu '79.

Keith Seymore · 09-08-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyP

Just like Euro money ending up in the US, things get transplanted. If you have a 1985 GM truck with TBI, someone added it during its lifetime, it did not come from the factory that way. The TBI is actually fairly easy to add on, and yes you have to have the ECM to go with it.
As mentioned, 1987 was the first year GM offered the TBI in their truck, suburban and K5 blazers. Was also the first year for the 350 to be available in a 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton, and I believe it was the first year of the center bolt heads.

Having been through all the TBI stuff on my 87 model, if I had it to all do over again it would be carbureted instead, or have a LS1 installed instead.

Agree with everything you've said, except the last paragraph.

What problems have you had with your TBI? Mine is still on there ('87, original owner) and I've had no issues.

In fact, I've commented in the past: "...the more I work on carburetors, the more I like Fuel Injection".

K

RandyP · 09-08-2010, 01:19 PM

Jeff, I apologize, when I think of these I always think of the 81-87 body style, should have said that.

Keith, mostly I have a sour taste from my recent engine swap. What I had thought would be a good candidate crate engine has turned out to be "one of the worst choices for TBI". I do love a fuel injected system when it comes to cold weather though, was the biggest reason I decided to get an 87 and to keep the TBI.

glock35ipsc · 09-08-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyP

Just like Euro money ending up in the US, things get transplanted.

I have nothing worth while to add to the conversation, other than that cracked me up!

motornut · 09-08-2010, 09:30 PM

well in my truck it's a light duty 454 3/4 ton 2 wheel converted to 350 1/2 ton 4X4..... and still workin out how the tbi got in there...........when i bought it it was the same as my 87 1/2 ton 4X4

09-08-2010, 01:43 AM	#1
grs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Roanoke, Tx. Posts: 1,561	TBI carbs. What year did Chevy put TBI carbs on there trucks. I may get an 85. The guy said it had a TBI carb. And do they have a computer box to make them operate?

09-08-2010, 01:57 AM	#2
irishman999 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Reno Ne-VAH-da Posts: 594	Re: TBI carbs. TBI means "Throttle body injection", They started that in 1987.

09-08-2010, 05:26 AM	#3
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: TBI carbs. Well i have a 85 with a tbi at least it's regestered as a 85.In the last month maybe, i've been all over this and nope seems mine is the only one lol.But thats another story,and now i can drive it like i stole it!! __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

09-08-2010, 08:00 AM	#4
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: TBI carbs. Just like Euro money ending up in the US, things get transplanted. If you have a 1985 GM truck with TBI, someone added it during its lifetime, it did not come from the factory that way. The TBI is actually fairly easy to add on, and yes you have to have the ECM to go with it. As mentioned, 1987 was the first year GM offered the TBI in their truck, suburban and K5 blazers. Was also the first year for the 350 to be available in a 2 wheel drive 1/2 ton, and I believe it was the first year of the center bolt heads. Having been through all the TBI stuff on my 87 model, if I had it to all do over again it would be carbureted instead, or have a LS1 installed instead. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

09-08-2010, 01:19 PM	#7
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: TBI carbs. Jeff, I apologize, when I think of these I always think of the 81-87 body style, should have said that. Keith, mostly I have a sour taste from my recent engine swap. What I had thought would be a good candidate crate engine has turned out to be "one of the worst choices for TBI". I do love a fuel injected system when it comes to cold weather though, was the biggest reason I decided to get an 87 and to keep the TBI. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

09-08-2010, 09:30 PM	#9
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: TBI carbs. well in my truck it's a light duty 454 3/4 ton 2 wheel converted to 350 1/2 ton 4X4..... and still workin out how the tbi got in there...........when i bought it it was the same as my 87 1/2 ton 4X4 __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

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