350 carburated into an s13

[ghost]

Alright, so I know people do the ls1 etc swaps into their s13s. But I want to know about sticking a carb'd small block into my car. Since there is no need for a computer, what do i do about all my wiring? how do i keep my speed sensors etc all working? I dont mind if i have to get an after market cluster to accommodate for it. What would you recommend? Im trying to do research on it but im not finding carb'd v8s

[Jimmy Up]

Just look up the wiring diagram on a 69 camaro, you wouldnt have much wiring to deal with.- This is something that I have been wanting to do for a while. It would rip for sure muncie 4 speed or a newer 5 or 6 speed?

[ghost]

Well I dont mean the wiring for the engine because there really isnt any other then a positive wire to the distributor. But I mean for the sake of all my interior lights, tachometer, speedometer, temperature etc. How do I keep use of all them? Or will I be tearing apart my dash to rewire everything?

[96Turbo]

it would probably be easiest to get an aftermarket gauge setup (water temp, speedometer, fuel level, tachometer, + any other accessory gauges you want) because they would all come with their own sensor. This way you can eliminate a lot of wires for the stock gauge cluster and just run the few you need for the aftermarket ones you buy. Plus it will look all hot rod and junk with a sheetmetal gauge cluster ;)

[Jimmy Up]

I run autometer gauges in my chevelle, and this gentleman^^^ is right. They all have their own sensors and are very straightforward installation wise. Go for it man, if you have experience with sbc's its perfect.

[racepar1]

The problem with your idea, which HAS been done before, is weight. A 350 is fuckin heavy compared to a ls-x. That is the primary reason that anyone does the ls-x swap, on paper it just makes sense. Less weight, more power, TONS of torque, and a lower center of gravity.

[ghost]

True enough, but I wouldn't know where to get an LS1 around here. Not exactly a popular thing.

[g6civcx]

Alright, so I know people do the ls1 etc swaps into their s13s. But I want to know about sticking a carb'd small block into my car.

This is what I have. GenI GM 350 V8. I'm running a third-gen Camaro V8 T5 gearbox.

Since there is no need for a computer, what do i do about all my wiring?

Nothing. You only need starter, alternator, ground, ignition, battery, and choke if you have electric choke. Nothing else is needed to run a carb'ed GM V8.

how do i keep my speed sensors etc all working?

The VSS goes with the gearbox. You can get any universal speedo to work with a T5 VSS.

I dont mind if i have to get an after market cluster to accommodate for it. What would you recommend?

It depends on what you want to monitor. You literally only need speedo to be street legal, as well as turn signal and high beam indicator. You can drive the car without the rest.

You can go fancy if you want. There are a lot of aftermarket gauges.

Im trying to do research on it but im not finding carb'd v8s

I got all the info you need. What do you want to know?

[g6civcx]

But I mean for the sake of all my interior lights, tachometer, speedometer, temperature etc. How do I keep use of all them? Or will I be tearing apart my dash to rewire everything?

Interior lights work as normal.

OEM tach will not work.

OEM speedo will not work unless mated to a correct generation KA or SR gearbox.

OEM temp gauge will work if you mount the KA/SR temp sensor or equivalent in the V8.


Custom wiring will be required at least to move the connectors to where they need to be.

[g6civcx]

The problem with your idea, which HAS been done before, is weight. A 350 is fuckin heavy compared to a ls-x. That is the primary reason that anyone does the ls-x swap, on paper it just makes sense. Less weight, more power, TONS of torque, and a lower center of gravity.

I prefer a cast iron block and cheap components. Plus my engine mounts place the engine much lower and further back than any kit on the market.


Keep in mind that LSX = LS Extreme according to GM if you want to be technical. That would be the only LS I would get.

[The Chad]

Ahhh Virginians, keepin' on the keepin' on since 1969 :)
great advice, i'm learning something new everyday.

[racepar1]

The 350 would DEFINITELY be a LOT cheaper. I was just using the x to substitute for 1,6,7, etc.... I would like to do the swap carb legally if I ever do it so I think I would have to use a GTO motor as it is the only one that would have a carb legal intake that I might be able to use.

[g6civcx]

That setup in a pre85 S12 would be legal.

[ghost]

Ive got alot to ask. Do you have msn?

[g6civcx]

Do you have msn?

No. Just post all of your questions here so others can help as well.

[ghost]

Do you have any pictures of your wiring for the starter, alternator etc?

[g6civcx]

Check the V8 FAQ thread. Lots of good info in there: http://www.zilvia.net/f/showpost.php?p=1727494&postcount=350

I have just the basic to get the car to run: one wire alternator, starter, e-choke, grounds, HEI, spark plugs of course, and that's it.

[Sir]

The 350 would DEFINITELY be a LOT cheaper. I was just using the x to substitute for 1,6,7, etc.... I would like to do the swap carb legally if I ever do it so I think I would have to use a GTO motor as it is the only one that would have a carb legal intake that I might be able to use.
Actually there are 2 LSx motors that came with GTO. LS1 in 04 and LS2 in 05/06.
You want LS1, its cable driven throttle body and not DriveByWire shit that I have to deal with.

[mugendork]

I am a big fan of swapping in the 350, or better yet a high revving built 327....The power potential is amazing, and for only a grand or so, you can run aluminum heads and take off 60-75 pounds off the top end of the motor and gain nearly 70-100 hp with the proper cam and tuning. My last conversion was in my 914...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs79VZSm9Lw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqHsA0EuYzk

that car was suicidal, 1900 pound dry weight with glass deck lids and completely gutted.

Can someone post up some pics of a carbed SBC in an s13-14?

[racepar1]

Actually there are 2 LSx motors that came with GTO. LS1 in 04 and LS2 in 05/06.
You want LS1, its cable driven throttle body and not DriveByWire shit that I have to deal with.

Ya I DEFINITELY don't want the gay ass e-throttle. I fucking hate it when a computer has to decide weasther or not my inputs are valid! Fuck every single electronic "safety" system other than ABS.

[fellfrosch7]

you can always do an lsx block and convert to a carbed setup

but at that point you might as well go efi

[g6civcx]

Any RWD GM small block V8 can be converted to fuel injection or carb. They make kits that can run each different engine on any fuel system.

[Sir]

Ya I DEFINITELY don't want the gay ass e-throttle. I fucking hate it when a computer has to decide weasther or not my inputs are valid! Fuck every single electronic "safety" system other than ABS.

Actually I think it has to do more with idle control than safety. But yeah, we'll see how it goes on my swap.