1985 Chevy k10 ( EFI or Carb )

[Owens23]

Alright, my question is pretty basic. I was wondering what would be better for a 1985 k10, has a 4 inch lift with 33's under it. A EFI crate motor or carburetor? Yes I know this question is a very loose one, but I just want to see everyone's opinions. Let me know what you guys think.

[DieselSJ]

EFI >> Carb about 99% of the time.

What crate motor?

[Owens23]

I'd be putting in a 350.

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by Owens23

I'd be putting in a 350.

Can you be more specific as to which EFI crate motor?

[Owens23]

Well I'm still making my mind up on that one. Just wanted to see multiple opinions on the matter. What EFI 350 would you recommend? The truck will be my daily driver.

[Nick_R_23]

EFI any day. Factory style EFI's are increasingly easier to install, and the aftermarket EFI kits are getting more affordable and easier to use as well. Both Holley and FiTech make $999 bolt on EFI systems, and there are Holley flange'd intakes available for any style 350 you want.

[Blessed66]

As for EFI, I guess the big question is this; How much work do you want to do? I've retro-fitted an '87 TBI system onto an '84 truck and can tell you it's not exactly difficult, but it isn't plug-and-play, like some systems claim to be. The downside is most of these plug-and-play systems are fairly fixed in what they will do, as in, if you are running stock or mild, it should be fine (daily drivers), but if you're going to do something silly, you'll want a system with more tuning features, robust enough to handle whatever you want to do.

That being said, EFI any day. I have nothing against the carburetor guys out there, because the fact carb's are still being made and sold in 2016 proves they are plenty capable of fuel delivery for a variety of purposes.

[Owens23]

Thanks Nick and Blessed. I've been looking at the bolt on EFI systems to be honest ( since it'll be a daily driver ). Even though it's a daily driver I still want it to have a bit of power as well. Is that really possible??

[dieseldawg142]

i would go efi as well.
power wont change just by switching to efi. i installed a pro-flo f.i. on the 454 in my '85 k30 and what it did do, is vastly improve the "drivability" of the truck. i haul big loads threw the mountains & there's no more "wheezing & struggling" on the big hills. no sputtering or holding the throttle when you fire it up in the winter, just reach in & turn the key- yes, it is nice...starts & drives almost like a modern truck now.
and fi is pretty durable & reliable. the tbi in my '90 has over 300 000 kms with just one rebuild (same injectors) 'bout 9 or 10 yrs ago. the mpi pro-flo has been just as reliable. 10+ yrs on without a single issue.
it took me yrs of driving my tbi '90 before i made the jump to fi in my k30, i've always been a die-hard carb guy- cant beat simplicity...

[tucsonjwt]

EFI is always the better choice, but for the difference in cost I think you would have to drive your truck to justify the extra $$$.

I got a rebuilt Qjet carb for my 83 C20 454 online for less than $200 and it seems to be working OK. The carb has a lifetime warranty, and I kept the original carb, so I can keep the old truck running if I send it back for service.

The quick start up and convenience is nice with FI, but I only drive my truck less than 1000 miles per year, so it would not make sense for me. I think if I wanted FI I would just buy a late model truck with everything hooked up from the factory. Nice rust free trucks like that are available out here for less than $5,000.

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

The quick start up and convenience is nice with FI, but I only drive my truck less than 1000 miles per year, so it would not make sense for me.

ya, same here, my crew gets maybe a thousand miles a yr tacked on it, but i dont buy stuff for it to be price conscious. who does on these trucks?...
a paint job is 3-4 times more than a fi set-up, but never hear anyone going "got to drive this puppy for x miles to make that paint worthwhile" you do it to make it look better.
i went fi to have a better running truck, and if it costs this much to do it, so be it...and with the mountains i'm surrounded by, fi is definitley a nice plus over the carb

[Blessed66]

You can nab a decent, dependable EFI kit for $1,000. It'll essentially be a stand-alone TBI system. If you piece one together, you'll save a few hundred (maybe), but what you save in money you'll lose in time... but that's not an uncommon trade-off.