recently, i rebuilt the 22RE in my '91 4x4, due to not wanting to do another t-chain job because my tensioner suddenly failed after 6 months. it was sort of a "lite" rebuild, as all it needed was a good cleaning to get all the sludge out, and a hone on the block.

i reassembled it with engnbldr's RV head and 268 cam, no decking or anything here folks. basically a virgin engine with nice big valves <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> however, i haven't noticed much, if any performance increase over how it was before the rebuild. it runs great and drives just fine, but i was looking for a little more power.

my '79 has an engine built similarly, but it's an early 22R with a 20R head and EB's oversized 20R valves. it has an offy c series intake and a weber carb that could probably use some tweaking, as well as a 9" open element filter and thorley header with 2.25" "shorty exhaust"(dumps into a cherry bomb under the cab and then to the world).

even on 33" tires, the '79 would absolutely destroy the '91 if they ever got into a drag race. this thing will pull to 65mph in 3rd gear, hardly breaking a sweat. 60 is no problem in 4th on a steep grade. only real limiting factors here are wobbly bias tires, a locker that likes to unload, and a squirrely suspension.

so i guess my question here is, what am i missing on the EFI truck, or rather, what is limiting me here? i've got a couple possible ideas, either exhaust or intake since the engines are built similarly. the exhaust is full length with a regular "school bus" muffler, but all the piping is 2". however, the cat is still original so i think it may be bottlenecking things. also, on the intake, what is the optimal setup for this without sucking a ton of dirt into the engine? i've just been running parts store filters. is some sort of open element filter a good idea?

or in the end, is the EFI system just my limiting factor and i should slap a carb on it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />