What should I do to my new trucK?

[thoughtpolice]

Whats up guys! I finaly got arround to getting a truck after selling my K5 a few years ago. Feels good baby. Feeeeeeels good.

I picked up a 89 Chevy Scotsdale 2500 4x4 for 2k cash! Not too shabby. It runs and drives fabulously with cold ac and all that. I believe a crate 350 motor was put on the truck about 50k ago, but its still TBI.

What do you recomend as far as some moderate modifications for a daily driver? Im looking for some nice power (its not bad like it is) and perhaps a little better economy if possible. I have already ordered a K&N filtercharger assembly, a PRO CHOICE performance module and a TBI spacer from ebay, but I was just curious on some opinions on where to go from here.

Good day!

[Blue Bowtie]

Welcome Aboard!

If it were mine, I'd get the truck current with all required maintenance and service for a vehicle of that age and mileage. That would include oil changes in the transmission, transfer case, both axles, lubrication of all the steering, suspension, and universal joints, fuel filter, ignition tune up, fresh oxygen sensor, throttle body and IAC cleaning, EGR check, brake inspection, bushing inspection, body lubrication, brake fluid change, belt and hose inspection, exhaust system inspection, etcetera. After a couple good weekends of work and poking around the truck, and all that is completed, you'll have a much better idea about the condition of the truck, and know where it may need some help.

The exhaust systems tend to be a bit restrictive, and the intake system is already addressed with the parts you've ordered, so long as it includes new ductwork.

If the knock sensor and ESC are functioning, you can usually get away with about a 4-6° advance of the base timing with no adverse affects, and pick up a little performance and fuel mileage.

The TB spacer may help with low-end torque a bit, which is just what you'll need in a truck.

Aside from that, the next best step would be to consider a camshaft swap. Even though your truck had a block designed for a roller cam, it probably still had a flat tappet cam and lifters installed. That was the case for most trucks through the early 1990s. And with a crate engine, it's even more likely to be a flat tappet cam, yet a very mild grind unless it was a Fastburn 385 or some more "special" crate engine. You'd have to check the block and head casting numbers to have a better idea of what it is you have, and the ID number on the deck at the RF corner of the block might offer some clues, too.

[thoughtpolice]

thank you very much for your response and warm welcome! I am going to go check those numbers out today so I can see excatly what im dealing with here. Thanks so much for your help bro!

When you said ingnition tuneup do you mean new plugs, wires and distributor? Any recomendations?

[Blue Bowtie]

Tune up for a TBI?

Check and clean or replace the plugs. Clean, inspect, and test the wires. Frequently they are in useable condition. Inspect the distributor cap and rotor.
Clean the throttle body and IAC air passages. Clean or replace the PCV valve (cleaning with a carburetor spray cleaner is ususally sufficient). Check the throttle minimum air position and TPS voltage when finished. Inspect the air filter. Check the base timing. That should be a good start to a tune up.

[jveik]

it all depends on how "legal," for emmissions standards, the truck has to be lol. you can get some kick ass heads for less than a grand and throw a lumpy cam in there, though your mileage will kick the bucket lol

[thoughtpolice]

Well i would like to continue to get good gas milage if possible. I have decided I want to aim for about 350-375HP. If anyone could help me get there and be above 15mpg.....I would love you.

What are some quality headers for my application? Is the Preformer TBI series the only aftermarket intake manifold I can get or what?