I just built a new engine and dropped it into my 93 Chevy. Here are the motor specs

350 bored .030 over
Stock Crank and Connecting Rods
KB 193 D-Cup pistons (9.6:1 Compression Ratio)
Crane Cam #114122
L31 Vortec Heads
GM Performance Parts TBI-Vortec intake
Stock 350 TBI Unit

The motor is in the truck and it's time to set the timing. I've heard you have to disconnect a brown wire to set the base timing. Where is that wire at and what should I set the base timing at?

 

I dont know about the brown wire thing, but with that cam i would start out at about 14* at idle. Then go up from there.

 

I can't remember where mine was at in my 88. We searched and searched and never found it, then one day out of the blue I came across it.

I'll keep it in mind to try and remeber where it was, but it's been about 5 years.

 

The Vortec head swap on the tbi's works very nice. We did one on a 94' and what a wkae up!! We put the motor ont the dyno at our race shop, and it made 285hp and 370 ft lbs. All with stock vortec heads, 9.2 to 1 compression, and the stock Vortec cam shaft. The timming was set at 10 deg advanced.

 

I can't find this wire. There are 6 large wires that are bolted to the firewall on the passenger side. Then about 8 inches under that there are about 50 wires going into the firewall. Where is it?

 

Alright, I found the wire. Right in front of my eyes, just covered in mud and grease. Next question, how do I know when I have enough advance in it? I started at 2*, it ran like crap. Went up to 8*, it ran a little better. Went up to 10* and it ran a little better still. I'm really not seeing the power I was expecting though. I'm going to run out there and try 12* and see how that turns out. Neighbors are getting pissed! Hehe.

 

My mom's 1994 Suburban calls for 0* base timing with the wire disconnected.

 

You need a custom chip for your project. Check out tbichips.com just get the chip codes off the computer behind the glove box and let him know what you have done with it. He also has some good info on the site. That should help a great deal. Also look into getting a TB with bigger bores. The stock one flows, maybe, 450cfm. Thats not enough to feed the vortec heads. Also be sure you have new exhaust from the motor back, the stock system is worthless. You will have a great running truck for sure.

 

those old motors stock run 7-9* advanced at idle. With a cam you will need to up it to 14* or more. Dont be surprised if you go as high as 18*. My old 90' i built up with heads, cam, Wiseco 11:1s, and a few more things ran best at @ 20* at idle. The ballancer only showed up to 15* advance, but i was way passed that.

 

I ordered my chip from tbichips.com earlier this week. It should arrive today. I've also got a new fuel pump (walbro 190ltr) and a fuel pressure gauge. Today I'm going to modify the fuel pressure regulator. Has anyone done this modification? Any tips/tricks? http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/tbi-afpr.shtml

I already have a set of long tube headman headers going into two 3 inch exhaust pipes feeding dual flowmaster mufflers.