Cascade Crew

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject: TPI Swap....:?

So........How hard would it be to change my 83 z28carbed engine over for a 88 tpi system? And is it really worth the work. What i mean is can i acheive the same hp with a carb as i can with a tpi ? Confused

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

You need to make up your mind!

Didn't you just buy a carb and intake?

Yes you can make just as much power with a carb as TPI.

Carb has less limitations. TPI is limited to a HP peak around 4500. But you get more torque out of TPI.

91RSVert · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:33 am Post subject:

4500 is the limit on a fairly stock setup. A few people have gotten up to 5k and a little higher with some work.

Getting the HP from a carb I think would be cheaper. And if you know carbs, alot easier to work on. Trying to do any work on a TPI setup is a PITA.

As for what it would take. Either a FI gas tank, or put an inline pump. FI fuel lines, or DIY high pressure fuel lines. Wiring in all the sensors, eletronic dizzy, ecm.

I went from TBI to TPI. A decent amount of work, but most of that was my custom electronics.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:15 am Post subject:

Ya man, I was looking forward to comparing our setups once you had your new goodies bolted up.

If you aren't too electronics savy, I'd just buy a new car if i were you.

aaron_sK · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:56 am Post subject:

Hard, no. Labor intensive, yes. Plus you're gonna need to start burning chips. If you want to go EFI, look for something that can spin higher. Shifting at 4500rpm sucks balls, trust me.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:22 am Post subject:

LT1 or LSx FTW!

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:19 pm Post subject:

your heads have the two center bolts at the wrong angle for an 88 TPI setup. You'll have to widen the holes on the lower intake to get it to fit.

Just stick with the carb dude. That 4160 holley you have is pretty user friendly and is about right for a stock 305.

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

Chris is right.

you will have the EXACT same setup as me, and it is tons of fun dude! Just run what you got for now!

~JAKE

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

Well the reason i'm asking is my neighbor's boyfriend has an 88 350 tpi for sale for $100. Needs one new head, but i don't care becuase i plan on making it a 383. I just wondered if it would really be worth wild for me to keep it as a tpi or not. I'm still going to bolt on the carb and intake I got this weekend. I need them to cruise with power until i can finish building the 383.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

Ditch the TPI.

If you get the motor, I'll help you put the intake and stuff on and take the TPI part off your hands :O) Very Happy

91RSVert · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:27 am Post subject:

From my readings, the TPI was built for a 305 (even though it was put on a 350 first Confused

). And that its quite choked on a 350, even worse on a 383.

Id grab it for a bill esp if it has the intake and wire harness. You can easily sell the intake for a bill+, and reuse the block.

Any idea if its a vet 350 with alumn heads? If so, Id like the 1 good head.

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure i came out of a truck last, I don't know what it was originally in.
.
.
Ok i just talked to the guy, it's a tbi. Last in a 88 camaro, previously in a truck. comes with ecu, intake and injectors, no valve covers, out of the camaro for about 6mo. a bunch of misc. other little parts. 1yr. old rockers. It should be a pretty good motor. I should be picking it up mon. or tue. Now i just gotta figure out how to get it to my buddieg house. Confused

Leejo2005 · Member Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick

I was in the same boat. I came across a 1987 TPI 305 on craigslist and ended up getting it for $100. It had just had the heads rebuilt but the seller had dry started it so I had to get the crank turned.

After research I concluded that a TPI motor would be a great swap for a light pick-up like an S-10.

"I'm a grown ass man."