need more power from 1989 TBI 318
#959164
03/26/11 05:16 PM
03/26/11 05:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068 Irving, TX
feets
OP
Senior Management
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OP
Senior Management
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068
Irving, TX
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What's a fair way to step up the towing power of this throttle body injected 318 without spending much cash? My sister's BF is trying to use a 89 D150 for towing his sprint car. Despite the light weight of the car the truck simply can't handle the load. There's one hill on the highway they have to drive around because the rig drops to 45 mph with his foot flat on the floor.
Is there any gain to be had by ditching the TBI and stuffing an intake and carb on the little engine?
I thought about finding a rear end at the salvage yard with some steeper gears but I don't know what it has now.
I'm willing to help him put it together but he has exactly ZERO bucks to spend on it.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind. - Stu Harmon
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Re: need more power from 1989 TBI 318
[Re: buildanother]
#959166
03/26/11 08:08 PM
03/26/11 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,668 Mi,U.S.A.
mike s
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,668
Mi,U.S.A.
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That's a tough one.Make sure the cat/cats don't need "cleaning" causing a lack of power.Maybe a bit more gear.They did have a bit of torque but it was max at 2400-2600 if IIRC. H.P.was only around 160 at 4400.How about the fresh air inlet set up from a later 150 or a Dakota.That and the gear should be available at the local junk yard.
Leave the gun.......take the Cannoli's....Mike
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Re: need more power from 1989 TBI 318
[Re: mike s]
#959167
03/26/11 08:28 PM
03/26/11 08:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068 Irving, TX
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Senior Management
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Irving, TX
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I was thinking about scrounging the local yards to find a steeper rear gear. I don't know if it's an overdrive truck or not.
If he had a little extra cash we could drop a 360 in the truck and get a little torque.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind. - Stu Harmon
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Re: need more power from 1989 TBI 318
[Re: feets]
#959168
03/26/11 08:37 PM
03/26/11 08:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,668 Mi,U.S.A.
mike s
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,668
Mi,U.S.A.
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Good point.1989 should be an overdrive w/lock up.I would have to check for sure.Overdrive off to scale that hill.
Leave the gun.......take the Cannoli's....Mike
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Re: need more power from 1989 TBI 318
[Re: mopfried]
#959170
03/26/11 10:18 PM
03/26/11 10:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 390 kentucky
superbyrd
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 390
kentucky
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i put 50,XXX plus miles on an 89 LWB 1/2 ton towing cars all over the country. mine had 3.55 gears,318/auto overdrive. i added a 14 in. open element breather with K&N filter,160 thermostat,pacesetter shorty headers,no cats, 2 1/4 duals with 40 series flowmasters,truck got 13-14 mpg running 80-85 with a 3500 pound car in tow across kansas, stayed around 11-12 mpg in the mountains. the truck would loose 10-15 mph on a big hill,but i never had a complaint with it's power.truck had 185,XXX miles on it when i sold it. of course,now a 12V cummins handles those duties for me,and i have never looked back.
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Re: need more power from 1989 TBI 318
[Re: feets]
#959172
03/27/11 01:25 AM
03/27/11 01:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903 Oregon
hooziewhatsit
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Oregon
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Has he done a basic compression/leak down test to see what shape the engine is in? If it's too bad, this may be all he's going to get...
If you ever find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.
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Re: need more power from 1989 TBI 318
[Re: hooziewhatsit]
#959173
03/27/11 01:38 AM
03/27/11 01:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,068 Irving, TX
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Senior Management
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OP
Senior Management
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Posts: 28,068
Irving, TX
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I gave him an alternator to install on the truck earlier in the week. He's been so busy putting the sprint car back together he hasn't installed it yet. I'll check with him later on that one.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind. - Stu Harmon
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