1970

The car is a 1970 Chevelle, engine is a stock 5.3 2004 truck LM7, trans is stock TH350, converter is stock 1970 TH350, open rear has 2.73 highway gears.
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USE: cruise nights within 100 miles, Power Tour if it is ready by June.
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GOAL: low budget, good mileage, trouble free travel, something neater than a SBC under the hood.
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I have been searching for the parts necessary for EFI and it takes lots of parts and lots of time to find them.
Maybe the carburetor option will get the car on the road sooner! RIGHT? WRONG?
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So I came over here to ask about parts and dollars.
1.) What intake will work best for a strictly cruiser?
2.) Go for the MSD? Or the one GM makes?
3.) What transmission kickdown cable?
4.) This is the quick fix and not the final fix, so where are the best prices for:
a.) the intake?
b.) the electronics?
c.) what else do I need?

Hugger67RSSS

iTrader: (2)

Edelbrock performer intake
MSD 6010 to control the coils and timing
Electric fuel pump
Adapter plates for motor mounts
Headers
Carb
Flex plate spacer
Should be all of the major parts....

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Usually for me, it is:

Engine: 400$
Intake: 270$
Ignition controller: 310$
Headers: 250$
Adapter plates: 50$
Starter: 50$
Intake gaskets: 25$

1500$ total without a cam swap, so add exhaust and a carb if need be and that is where my swaps run.

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

I think MSD makes the GM controller so just get the MSD and know you done right

Normally I would say go with an overdrive trans but you have some pretty low rear gears. Keeping the revs low on the highway is where your gas mileage is going to come from and it will make the car much more enjoyable.

Really all you need is the intake, carb, MSD box (which comes with all the needed wiring) and an electric fuel pump. You can probably reuse the stock fuel lines. Since you already have a speedo compatible trans you can take the senders off the original motor and adapt them to the LS motor. That way you keep the stock gauges.

For best prices look for used stuff. I wouldn't hesitating to run a single plane intake if you get a deal. Most guys with 5.3's go with a 650 carb, so you should be able to pick something up used pretty easily

1970

What cam swap makes sense for a cruise only engine?

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Something small so you have a touch of thump at idle, the edelbrock unit is cheap, the small one, has .551 lift and a 111 lsa if memory serves right. Duration in the high needs low 20s.

1970

Is this the one and only SMALL cam for my street car?

New Edelbrock LS1 Camshaft - 108° Intake Centerline.

Lift at Valve -
Intake: 0.510"
Exhaust: 0.510"

Installation Note: This camshaft is designed to be used in engine swap applications using a CARBURETOR ONLY. It is not intended to be used in factory EFI-equipped LS1 vehicles.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

That sounds like the one.

Graybeards64

iTrader: (1)

Will that cam work with stock rockers and springs?

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Well, stock cams work with stock springs...

1970camaroRS

iTrader: (8)

What is the intake and exhaust duration on that? I'm guessing close to stock? Has less lift than a lot of stock cams, just a super tight LSA to give it that lopey sound. Don't be afraid to go bigger so the performance matches the sound.

MikeFSKSpeed

iTrader: (37)

If you decide to go this route, PM me with any questions. Ive helped many customers out with it and have a selection of Edelbrock Carb'd intakes, The MSD Ignition Controllers, a great selection of Proform/Holley/Quickfuel Carbs, and much more.

Good Luck!
Mike

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

It is 220/220 duration, will sound good and be ultra torqy.