------------------------------------------------------------- ■Q I am planning to replace the 5.7L TBI on my '94 Silverado with a multiport conversion kit from Edelbrock. I know there's one that will bolt directly on the engine and use the stock ECU and throttke body. Another kit uses a different ECU and doesn't use that kit,but Edelbrock only makes it for use with Vortec heads. I don't know much about the benefit of the Vortec heads and manifold. Would Vortec heads work on the block I have? Also,are there any other changes I would have to make to use this intake?
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Edelbrock offers two kits that are 50-state emissions-legal for your truck and several systems sold under the Performer Pro-Flo EFI line. These are standalone EFI systems using a calibration module that will not interface with any of the emissions systems or transmission on your truck. They're great replacements for a carbureted small-block in a street rod or late-'60 car that doesn't require emissions legality. First we've got the Performer multipoint EFI system(PN 3501),a direct bolt-on for your '94 Chevy truck. The kit featurres a single-plane inlet,which retains the factory throttle body with the fuel pod removed. Removing the fuel pod increases the airflow considerably over the factory configuration. Switching from the TBI to the port fuel injection corrects the fuel-distribution issues that have plagued the TBI systems since their release. The kit comes complete with throttle cable brackets,lines,fuel rail and injectors,harness,and calibration for your factory heads and camshaft. Edelbrock also offers a camshaft(PN 3702) and performer aluminumsylinder heads(PN 60859) that have calibration for the increased airflow. Another option is install iron Vortec heads to increase the airflow over the stock swirl-port heads. These heads are a direct bolt-on for your '94 350. The second kit Edelbrock offers is the Performer multipoint EFI Vortec PN 3506. This system uses the same inket manifold configuration;however,it allows you to plumb in the exhaust gas for the EGR system remotely. The Vortec heads don't have an exhaust crossover and require you to feed the EGR system from the exhaust manifold or header. The Vortec EGR adapter kit is sold under PN 2899. The calibration supplied with this kit must use the factory '96-and-later hydraulic roller camshaft for the L31 Vortec 350. This is what the carlibration Volumetric Fuel tables are built on. With this swap,Edelbrock has seen horsepower on the dyno come in at 265 at 4,500rpm. This is a very nice boost over the stock TBI 350 currently in your truck. It's not just about the peak numbers,thought;the port fuel injection gives you much better driveability and fuel economy over the factory system.
Finally,with either of these systems,you'll need to replace the factory fuel pump with a later highpressure unit. The TBI system runs on a very low 12psi,and the multipoint system is in the 45-psi range. Edelbrock offers pumps for both the single- and dual-tank units.
Hope we've filled your technical needs until you get home. Keep safe and enjoy your project when you get back.