SBC TBI to Carb Swap

[demo296]

Looking for some info on swapping a 305 TBI to Carb. 305 is out of a 1990 bubble caprice. I am aware I need a carb'd intake, a carb, and a different distributor(maybe). Can anyone give me any tips or info on the intake manifold part. i.e. what intake to look for. I have also read about the center holes being on different angles. I have looked it up on other forums but it usually turns into a debate about "TBI vs. Carb and who thinks which is better" this engine will be for a derby application so simplicity is key. Have a limited budget so looking to use this 305 up.

[STROMI 121]

I put a TBI intake on an old style 400 small block. The four center holes had to be reamed a little to get the bolts to line up. It was not a big deal. I would assume the opposite would be true.

[fordpowerforever]

I wouldn't mess with the intake, just buy the proper adapter, any autoparts store should be able to order tbi-carb adapter for you, you can use that dizzy and coil, but better off just dropping any old hei in it, id go with a holley 500, great all around carb that will work for anything.

[Luke Wells]

Like Stromi said, you can make an old style intake work with a lil reaming with a die grinder. Very easy to do.

Never even thought of an adapter like fordpower said. May be worth a few minutes to check it out.

Here ya go. I took a min to look it up for ya.

About $40 for the adapter.

m.summitracing.com/search/part-type/throttle-body-adapters-carbureted-manifold

[goines2]

DO NOT be afraid of the TBI... for an otherwise stock motor, TBI is hard to beat for dependability and power. They are also VERY simple to wire up.

[demo296]

I had seen those adapters and the wording is confusing. I understood that they were for adding a TBI to a carb manifold. I might get one anyways to see if I can make it work. Going to have to get out to the shed to see what else I got lying around. Thanks for the help.

[lahnen]

you can find a carb intake for those from Camaros, get or make a adapter plate. I have actually ran one with a old 2bl intake with just the outsides bolted and heavy silicone in the center with no bolts. its not right but it worked just fine.

[m16]

Probably need an electric fuel pump, depending on your block.

[heavymetal11]

I just put a 94 tbi motor in my chevelle and the block off plate is there, but there is no lobe on the cam for the fuel pump.

[mcw731]

I just sat a 2b carb on top of my fi intake and seen that the butterfly would still open as intended and got some self taping screws and retapped new holes into the aluminium intake and used the stock one on my carbed engine.

[fordpowerforever]

they make an adapter to any carb just about for those tbi setups, simple as that

[fordpowerforever]

www.jegs.com/p/Trans-Dapt/Trans-Dapt-Performance-Products-Carb-To-TBI-Conversion-Adapters/1067206/10002/-1

look at these

[fordbasher]

isnt that taking it from a carb engine and turning it into a TBI....not a TBI to a carb?

[starsky12]

I was thinking the same thing. I am also wondering what everybody is doing about the serpentine belt set up. Do you leave it or run put on all new brackets and pulleys?

[99x]

All the adapters are for your carb intakes to swap to tbi set ups. I have looked and searched high and low for them they do not exist because there is no real good reason for a random Joe to swap his caprice engine that runs multiple vacuums and electrical components on these engines. That converting carb to tbi improves performance. And is what a lot ofstreet rod guys are doing. I broke down and got a correct aftermarket intake. Hogging out the intake center bolts works,but the bolt won't seat properly, I was super and found one in a scrap yard and got it for free.