this is a complete shot in the dark (350-TBI)

unruhjonny · Guru

this is a complete shot in the dark (350-TBI)

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Too bad he didn't wait until 1996, then instead of 200 HP it would have had a 255 HP 5.7 Vortec and you wouldn't be craving for power.

Is a repower an option? The Vortec 5.7 is basically the Ram Jet crate engine GM sells and rates @ 345 HP.

A Vortec 5.7 has to be easy to source from salvage yards. BTW very nice truck.

download (1).jpg

-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 15th of April 2021 11:43:51 AM

unruhjonny · Guru

The Sport trucks were not offered through to 1996;
You could get something similar, but not nearly as cool.

I believe that these Sport trucks (2wd & 4x4) were 1989-1992, then in 1993 the Sport package was only offered on 2wd models;
The sport trucks were gone after 1993.

Production numbers for these trucks is surprisingly low - especially the 1992 models.

I am not looking for an engine transplant, I want to keep the truck stock, or at least original looking.
I am not against swapping some parts or putting a chip in it, as long as I can leave it looking stock - but I am not interested in gaining horsepower, and taking a real hit in mileage.
This is not supposed to be a hot rod, just a cool truck, and the coolest truck my grandfather ever bought - the sentimental value is huge to me, I want it to always look like "his" truck.

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

Years ago when these trucks came out the aftermarket offered performance chips for the computer. I havent heard of any for years though.

Paul

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Is that the two wing nut Air Cleaner lid engine ? If so I believe it is RPO LO5 5.7 V8 and that was the Cop engine in Caprices back then and used in Cadillacs up to 94. Its a beast and plenty of torque, 300 lb ft if I recall correctly. I had a Fleetwood with that engine and it would burn rubber for a good 50 feet from a standstill. I was doing 150 on the 401 one day and my passenger asked me if I had it floored, "Nope, about half way" I said.

Just an FYI the 5.7 Vortec in my GMC Suburban consistently gets 22 mpg on highway runs and its 21 years old now.

-- Edited by 73SC on Friday 16th of April 2021 06:33:33 PM

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Have you been on the forum for these trucks: GMT400.com?

There's a wealth of information on there. It's my go-to for any issues I have with my 94.

unruhjonny wrote:
The Sport trucks were not offered through to 1996;
You could get something similar, but not nearly as cool.

I believe that these Sport trucks (2wd & 4x4) were 1989-1992, then in 1993 the Sport package was only offered on 2wd models;
The sport trucks were gone after 1993.

Production numbers for these trucks is surprisingly low - especially the 1992 models.

I am not looking for an engine transplant, I want to keep the truck stock, or at least original looking.
I am not against swapping some parts or putting a chip in it, as long as I can leave it looking stock - but I am not interested in gaining horsepower, and taking a real hit in mileage.
This is not supposed to be a hot rod, just a cool truck, and the coolest truck my grandfather ever bought - the sentimental value is huge to me, I want it to always look like "his" truck.

timbuk · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

headers a spacer for the tb1 and a chip

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

If it works good, leave it alone. A chip that is reversible might be worth trying but Im guessing a chip in this motor may get you a small power increase, under 10%? Sell it to me, I promise I wont paint it or change anything. Its a nice truck.

65Camino · Uber Guru

Tune it up. Give it a coat of clear over everything. Leave it alone and drive it. Enjoy it the way it is.

HK1837 · Addicted!

Cam and compression. The same gen Corvettes had smaller chamber alloys that work well, and from memory those LO5 5.7 engines had provision for a roller cam. Those use a Delco ECU don't they? Easy to tune.

68 Grande · Guru

That is a very sweet looking original short bed truck! I had a 94 long bed with a 350 and it was very efficient engine, great truck.

If it is running good, maybe some headers and exhaust, tune it up and enjoy!

unruhjonny · Guru

73SC wrote:
Is that the two wing nut Air Cleaner lid engine ? If so I believe it is RPO LO5 5.7 V8 and that was the Cop engine in Caprices back then and used in Cadillacs up to 94. Its a beast and plenty of torque, 300 lb ft if I recall correctly. I had a Fleetwood with that engine and it would burn rubber for a good 50 feet from a standstill. I was doing 150 on the 401 one day and my passenger asked me if I had it floored, "Nope, about half way" I said.
Just an FYI the 5.7 Vortec in my GMC Suburban consistently gets 22 mpg on highway runs and its 21 years old now.

Dual wingnut air cleaner, and I just confirmed, rpo L05 350.
I would hardly call it beastly, but it's sufficient for what it is.

I guess it might seem beastly depending on perspective;
Years ago I had a 1981 Malibu four door 267/2bbl - compared to that car, this is a power house (but I suspect a part of that is the gearing) - That was a great driving car, even if it couldn't get out of it's own way.

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

I had a 1979 Malibu with a 267 v-8. Good on gas, but underpowered with the 2:29 axle ratio!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Those 350 TBI's are great engines. They may not have the Vortec power but they're a good engine.

As far as a 267....................good fuel economy! But even with 4.56 gears you could likely outrun it on foot in an 1/8th mile drag race.

timbuk · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

267! wow had one in a 81 regal beauty car absolutley gutless

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Lets put it this way, A 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood with the LO5 350 TBI engine and the VP4 trailer towing package was rated at 7,000 lbs towing Capacity, the last passenger car so rated by General Motors. This in an era when Cadillac even published that the Seville, Eldorado and Allante were not recommended for towing at all.

unruhjonny · Guru

/\ I did not know that!
I know that this truck is rated higher than either of my brothers suspected for towing.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I never understand how they are allowed to rate vehicles so high for trailering. It's ridiculous to think it's safe to tow 7000 pounds with a vehicle that likely weighs 4500 pounds.

I pulled 6700 pounds (500 gallon water tank on a 1700 pound trailer) short distances for many years when we were on the farm. I did this with a Vortec 350 pickup rated at I think 255 horse. Slow speeds, trailer had good brakes but that was a rig that was underpowered for the load and was overpowered by the trailer.

And by the way, that shorty is a very cool truck!

unruhjonny · Guru

Thanks for the kind words guys.

I think gearing, both differential and transmission, as well as torque are all factors;
I have a friend with a 1980(?) half ton 2wd, hers has the "stump puller" four speed that was her grandfather's farm truck;
I have seen GM videos of that era truck pulling obscene loads up hills - and I'm sure it's all about that specific four speed... if my memory serves me, first gear is something like 5.xx:1 - combined with a 3.73:1 rear alxe, that's ridiculous torque multiplication!

-- Edited by unruhjonny on Friday 23rd of April 2021 10:24:48 AM

unruhjonny · Guru

Canadian Poncho wrote:

Have you been on the forum for these trucks: GMT400.com?
There's a wealth of information on there. It's my go-to for any issues I have with my 94.

I just realized I neglected to reply to this one;

I am on there.

I have noticed that although well intended, there isn't the same degree of level-headedness always observed than there is on a "restoration" style site like this one.

I did get some help there last year when I was trying to get my radio properly functioning again, but I had to really dig for some info in round-about's ways - which led me to figure out the CDM was a part of my radio's issues - this wasn't posted there in a manner that nwas easily attainable.
I found that once I had compiled the information, my post about it offered more about factory radios & CDM's in a frank clear manner than anything which preceded it.

I see lots of threads on replacing carpet with rubber floors, or changing interiors, but not much on the realm of restoring these trucks to stock, or 100% stock appearing.

To illustrate this in another manner, after repeatedly hitting a brick wall on first hand accounts on available carpets, I reached out directly to ACC and am awaiting samples before making a carpet and floor mat order.
After placing, and receiving my order from ACC, I will do a side by side picture/post about the stuff I bought, to help anyone looking to do the same as me.

Can you believe that ACC offers floor mats, but has NO pictures of their product!?
I wonder how many sets have been ordered, and no one has any images to share!?

My carpet is mostly fine, but starting to show it's age;
My original carpeted mats are a bit of another story though.

-- Edited by unruhjonny on Friday 23rd of April 2021 10:38:44 AM

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

73SC wrote:
Lets put it this way, A 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood with the LO5 350 TBI engine and the VP4 trailer towing package was rated at 7,000 lbs towing Capacity, the last passenger car so rated by General Motors. This in an era when Cadillac even published that the Seville, Eldorado and Allante were not recommended for towing at all.

If you want a real good gvwr, get a 59 El Camino, coils in rear, used to have a hitch on it too. 13,500 KG.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

unruhjonny wrote:

My carpet is mostly fine, but starting to show it's age;
My original carpeted mats are a bit of another story though.

Am I seeing things, or is there a peace sign drawn in marker on your mat?

unruhjonny · Guru

I am pretty sure you're seeing things;
Just random chance and/lighting.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

The 350 in my 94 3500 runs great but it feels under powered mostly due to the power the 4L80 robs. It'ssupposed to be able to tow 9000lbs but I couldn't imagine trying with that engine unless I do some performance mods.