For me in my truck, I have to pass emissions, so a carb isn't an option unless I but a new truck. But which do you think is better overall, TBI or carb, without completely building the carb version? It seems like a lot of people hate on the 87-91 TBI 318s and 360s. For me, it does just fine, and has been reliable. The only two things I don't like are that aftermarket choices are severely limited, and it tunes itself too rich by default when anything electronic is even a little bit off.

As far as MPG, power, being a reliable runner, which do you think is better? Keep in mind that factory numbers are 140hp for the 318 in 86, and 170 for the 318tbi in 1987.

 

i don't know if 140hp is accurate for the 318 from 81-87. some trucks came stock with 2 barrel and some had 4 barrels and you can tune them and gain power. it would not surprise me if the 4 barrel version of the 81-87 had 170hp or more. with the carbed engines there are more options for upgrades but with a throttle body you can't really do anything.

 

I havent had any issues with my TBI, it starts with one click after sitting in -20 for a couple days, and its never let me down. The only problem Ive had is the idle is way too low on it, like 300-400rpm, and I cant figure out just what exactly is wrong with it. I still vote for TBI tho.

 

I think the 140hp figure is probably for the 2bbl. And my numbers may be off by a year or two, but I think they accurately represent the majority of both of the engines mentioned. Maybe 85 vs 88 as the quoted years. And I agree with the comment about tuning them. I like my truck, but I wish I could lean it out a bit by turning a screw, instead of showering it with dollar bills.

 

i wonder how a throttle body engine would react to a more aggressive cam? i know on obd2 truck you can get a sct tune and on carbed vehicles you can just adjust the carb but what would you do with a throttle body?

 

Eh. After doing some more scrounging, I'd say you are right wolf. Literature is hard to find, but it seems like certain (probably 4bbl) carbureted trucks are coming up at 170hp too.

 

I was wondering about that today. The most informative thing I can find is this http://www.moparchat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1228 from over a decade ago. First guy says there is a certain range of cams to use, second guy says any cam will work, third guy says to install nitrous. I'm not really sure if it would like a cam or just freak out. At comp cams, they list 3 cams for a 1988-1991 with a electronic fuel pump. One says nothing. One says it "may require" computer modifications. And one says it "will require" computer modifications.

 

I cant see my 91 d250 with 360 tbi only putting out 170 horses cause it can destroy the tires and it has a locker in it unless the previous owner regeared the hell out of it. idk but i'm sticking with the tbi gonna throw an edelbrock air gap with the adapter on it, long tube headers, a small cam (just enough to get a little lope), and a double roller timing chain on it just to see what happens. if any adverse effects happens i know how I can ditch the factory computer and use an aftermarket one to run the tbi for less than 500.

 

the 360 in a 91 is suppose to have 190HP. the guy that suggested nitrous owned a 99. another advantage of using a carb is you can run e85 by just changing the jets or tuning the carb.

 

I've never had a Dodge new enuf to have anything but a carb. But I've had so many EFI cars, pickups, and SUVs since my first one in 1984 a 75 Renult that I cant remember how many now.
Only had two EFI problems. A plugged cold start injector on the Renult at why over 100'000 miles. And a fuel pump on a 99 chev pickup at 180'000 plus.
Carb vs EFI ? For the stuff I drive every day? EFI. No brainer.