Posted: 12/21/2004 6:56:16 AM EDT
| Just what does all of this mean, 5.7L V8 TBI CNG Capability. I understand the 5.7L and V8 but the the TBI or CNG. I was am currnetly looking to buy a truck and tthis is the motor in the current truck I am lookin at. So does anybody know what in the hell TBI and CNG mean? I was just guessing that TBI had somthing to do with the fuel injection systom. |
TBI is Throttle Body Injection CNG is Compressed Natural Gas |
5.7l is the size of the motor. the total volumn of all 8 cyclanders = 5.7l V8==nuff said TBI= Fuel injected Throuttle Body Injection CNG=Compressed Natural Gas(alternate fuel) What is this in? SGatr15 |
So it is can use CNG as an aftermarket product? |
GMC Sierra 1500 SL |
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Keep in mind that TBI on the 350 went the way of the Dodo in 1995. CNG capability implies a fleet vehicle. Based on this info without knowing about the truck in question, I'd stay away because of age and usage. I've got a '94 350 (5.7=350) TBI in my GMC, and it performs well. When one says that EFI (textbook fuel injection) is better than TBI, they are technically correct. It increases effeciency, and give more control to the computer. In doing this, it also is capable of developing slightly more power given the same amount of fuel. Unfortunately, the reality is that for normal get from point A to point B driving the difference is almost non existant. |
That's EGGS ACT LY what I was thinking. And usually when I see alt fuel trucks that means they were owned by the .gov boys and probably abused. Sgatr15 |
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sounds like the 350 came with the alternate fuel package. my '98 350 was that way.........................biggest dog EVER, don't know if it was just a shitty engine or if GM intentionally built it that way to reduce their liability for incorrectly installed alt. fuel packages. supposedly the only difference was supposed to be hardened valve seats.................................. good truck, just a fucking dog |
| Throttle body injection is a cheap electric carburetor. It may be easy to work on, but how often do you really have to work on fuel injection? I have a 93 GMC Jimmy with CPI (central port injection). It's a pain to work on (only had to once) but I'd still rather have that than TBI. TBI has gone the way of the dinosaur for good reason. It didn't offer enough efficiency over a carb. I'd walk away from whatever it is you're considering. If it is made to run on alternate fuel sources, that just means more trouble in finding the fuel and neccessary repair parts. |
IMO, TBI was replaced to adhere to government emissions & OBD II requirements. TBI did an excellent job cheaply eliminating the problems of real carbs. Note that I'm not saying that it's better than EFI, it's clearly not. However, it's not that much worse in terms of driveability or livability. My point is that I wouldn't consider TBI vs EFI in the purchase equation unless all other factors are dead even. |
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TBI was an excellent transition between carbs and FI. There's still tons of TBI chevy engines on the road. I have the first year of the true fuel injected chevy engines (1992, 4.3) and I would disagree about the TBI being easier to "maintain". (What, stick in some fuel injector cleaner?) The reason I say this is cause the older FI (CPI) will fail before 100K anyways so you just pop off your upper intake and slap in a new injector(One piece unit) every 100K, engine runs like new. The TBI's are having alot of issue's also due to their age, leaking and failing. |
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CPI is actually the newer injection on the 4.3's. It was used up until the end of the S-series even. It is a pain to replace, but I didn't have to replace mine until about 165k. TBI was a good transition, but for performance and efficiency, it's a far cry from being par with individual port systems. It is alot better for emissions as the fuel is electronically regulated rather than by suction. I'd rather have a carb than TBI but I'd rather have multi port than both. Keep in mind this is coming from a performance view though. As for the easier to maintain, I meant the TBI. The CPI is a bitch especially when the upper intake bolt nearest to the fire wall strips out. 
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