Throttle-body injection (TBI) in G.M vehicles, and  Central Fuel Injection (CFI) by Ford) or single-point injection was introduced in the 1940s in large aircraft engines, which was called the pressure carburetor).

What form of fuel delivery system is on my rebuilt engine? That all depends on the year of the vehicle, throttle body injection was used extensively in American cars as an early form of affordable ways to increase gas mileage, increase performance and reduce emissions. In essence, it was a fancy carburetor, controlled by a simple engine management unit (computer).

My 1988 GMC 1 ton pickem up with a 5.7 liter engine has throttle body injection.(TBI). Although the truck has never had a rebuilt Chevy engine put in it. I did have to replace the camshaft  few years ago. The engine is very solid otherwise.

Simply put, TBI is a fancy carburetor. In fact it is basically a carburetor body with 2 injectors in it, centrally located on the top of the manifold. I would debate that it improves power or fuel mileage by much if any, but it is a highly reliable system. Hence, ‘throttle body injection‘. I would like to have a Vortec system, but that would require a new harness and a Vortec setup, which cost a fortune if purchased separately..TBI is also very simple and reliable.

My choice is to wait until I need a rebuilt engine (if that ever happens) and buy a newer model engine with Vortec fuel injection already on it, then replace the harness and computer in my truck with the harness and  out of the vehicle the transmission originally came out of. BYW: A qualified company that sells rebuilt engines will be able to help you get the components you need from one of their sources, otherwise, find another supplier.

It may not matter to you in reality as to what type of fuel injection system is on your car. Don’t be an ignorant consumer, read our GotEngines.com blog before you buy a rebuilt engine, become an educated consumer and understand what you are purchasing.