Carb guys please step inside

Ive recently picked up a 98 C1500 with a 4.3/4l60E. Since its tax season, i thought i might treat my truck to a 5.3. Ive been doing research and i have a few questions relating to running my motor with a carb on top. I already know its not the common way to go but im set on ditching the EFI stuff. I plan to run a LS6 cam and springs, but otherwise stock for now.Here's a list of things id like to iron out before i start tearing the truck apart....

Would it make sense to run the corvette fuel filter and a standard AFPR, rather than running all new lines? I plan to use the stock vortec pump, since it was just replaced.

Which throttle cable works nicely?

When running carb, ive read i should keep the stock ECU to control ABS, guages, other important stuff. How much of the harness should i keep, what can be ditched?

Any advice on carb? Id like something matched nicely, maybe a 750DP?

How much work would i be looking at to keep the 4L60? I have a fresh TH350 9" tail, and from what ive read it should fit almost perfect and shouldnt be too much involved to swap.

Peformer RPM or Vic. Jr?

Stock radiator? Power steering pump?

Convenient places to mount the MSD box?


Forgive me for the list, but id really like to hear from experience. Wiring isnt my strong suit, but i can make due which is why id prefer carb. I want to start ordering my necessary parts very soon, so any advice is strongly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I can make carbs work but most people here think that makes me retarded.

corvette filter regulates at 58 psi, you only need 7-8 psi with a carb. Throttle cable will be custom most likely due to being a carbed setup. Not sure how you'd control the 60e transmission without the PCM. My two cents.

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Originally Posted by RedHeartbeat

corvette filter regulates at 58 psi, you only need 7-8 psi with a carb. Throttle cable will be custom most likely due to being a carbed setup. Not sure how you'd control the 60e transmission without the PCM. My two cents.

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I had to reword my question, i plan to run the corvette filter and an AFPR to dumb the pressure down for the carb.

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Originally Posted by L&M

Wiring isnt my strong suit, but i can make due which is why id prefer carb.

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I think you are going to be in more of a wiring mess having a carbed LS with individual coil ignition.
Then ditching the 4L60 to go to a th350 drops off the overdrive so highway driving will be at higher rpms, or you have to give up a bunch of rear end gear to be street friendly.
Then to also have all your OBS gauges, fuel system, and abs still work, I think your better off leaving what is a mostly plug and play motor alone.

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Originally Posted by Jess

I think you are going to be in more of a wiring mess having a carbed LS with individual coil ignition.
Then ditching the 4L60 to go to a th350 drops off the overdrive so highway driving will be at higher rpms, or you have to give up a bunch of rear end gear to be street friendly.
Then to also have all your OBS gauges, fuel system, and abs still work, I think your better off leaving what is a mostly plug and play motor alone.

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I agree with everything you said, but im having trouble being able to stomach the prices on a harness. If i could find a good DIY to convert a cheapo truck harness, thats geared towards the wiring beginners, i would go that route. I guess im used to the older GM stuff, where running a carb is so damn simple to get it all to work. It boggles my mind that even the heater works through the ECU. If i can find a write-up that i feel confident with, i will go the EFI route and convert a truck harness to save me some cash to spend on other swap parts. As far the the 4l60E goes, i might still ditch that in favor of the TH350 that will fit right in place. I dont mind the loss of gas mileage, in favor of a nice trans that is already sitting in the garage. The 4L60 in the truck was rebuilt about 20k ago, but im leery as to how long it would last with the 5.3 in front of it. I dont want to have to tear it back out and get it built in the near future. I have thoughts of going with boost, which makes me lean towards EFI.

www.lt1swap.com
Thats where i got the info for the harness i built

^^^^ Very good info there.

With the money you would save not buying a carb or intake mani you could afford a full custom harness. The 60e will last fine behind your 5.3 and fairly light OBS. Once you go boost you will want an 80e anyways. I think an 80e turbo 5.3 would make for a fun and reliable ride. Budget won't be too bad either.