You may have to run a higher octane fuel though so you will have to consider that. A custom chip will add more timing under the curve to improve low RPM torque, so adjusting the base timing is pointless. You can advance the base timing if you want, but timing is mainly controlled by the engine’s computer. The factory setting for the L05 (TBI) 5.7L engine is 0* but check your engine’s emission sticker under the hood for the factory timing setting for your truck. Finally, you will want to check your timing.
They get old and crack and break down over time and this would be a good time to replace them. You will also want to check your serpentine belt and coolant and vacuum hoses. Cleaning or replacing the PVC valve is also crucial. This requires taking it off and cleaning all of the small passages that run along the bottom side of it. The TBI or throttle body unit should also be cleaned thoroughly. This means replacement of the spark plugs and wires along with a new distributor cap, and rotor. The first thing you should do to your engine is to make sure it has a complete tune up and is in proper running condition. What should be the first thing I do to my TBI/Vortec engine? If you wanted fuel economy, you would have bought a hybrid car instead. V8 engines, despite their “advanced” fuel injection, are only capable of about 17-18 miles per gallon on the highway. Not always easy, but that’s the key to saving money on fuel costs. Light throttle saves you money at the pump. It is power that you can feel and it will save you money at the pump. On the highway, you’ll especially notice the difference when your engine doesn’t have to downshift in order to get up hills. How? Because it takes less throttle to get going and less pedal to keep you going. Speed costs money…How fast do you want to go?īetter fuel economy can come with more power. But unfortunately, more power requires a significant investment in time and money.
You can also learn how to burn your own PROMs for a small investment that will pay you back huge as you keep upgrading your motor with better fuel economy and power.
There are free or relatively cheap mods for sure, like the infamous reverse air lid trick on TBI engines, the ultimate TBI mods, and making your own AFPR for your TBI engine. Well it depends on how much of the work you can do yourself. Production of these engines ran until 1998 when GM redesigned the Chevy and GMC trucks for the 1999 model year, ending the smooth body style now referred to as the old body style (OBS).Īre there any cheap ways to make more power and get better fuel economy? These enhancements allowed the 5.7L Vortec engine to produce 250 hp and 320 lbs-ft of torque. In 1996, GM introduced the 5.0L and 5.7L Vortec engines were that included several key enhancements: hydraulic roller camshaft, new higher flow Vortec cylinder heads, central sequential fuel injection (CSFI), OBDII, etc. These pre-Vortec engines used hydraulic non-roller camshafts. The 5.7L TBI engines were produced from 1987 to 1995, with power levels that ranged from 185-210hp. The 7.4L version aptly resided in 454SS trucks and production ran from 1990-1993. TBI-equiped motors included the 4.3L V6, 5.0L, 5.7L and 7.4L engines. GM introduced a redesigned body style the following year in 1988, which would last 11 years from 1988 to 1998. This was one of the first mass-produced fuel injection systems on GM trucks starting in 1987 for the final year of the square box body style. Feel free to offer suggestions or add your own Q/A entries to the appropriately entitled.
Hopefully, this thread will serve as an important resource for those of you who are new to OBS trucks and serve as future reference for the FSC “old timers”. I have used a running FAQ-type commentary to minimize reading through a ton of posts and so that I can share with you my experiences and expertise. I have not limited myself to this board and have included very useful discussions/info from other websites. Well to lessen repeat questions, I've attempted to gather together some great discussions on TBI- and Vortec-related performance topics into one big post – perhaps the ultimate post. Although the forum has a search feature, it is often easier to just ask your question. I’ve been on the forum long enough to notice the same questions popping up again and again.
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