Doing a TPI Swap.

[Rc 415]

I just bought a Tpi setup off a 1985 Corvette, I got the intake setup, manifold, distributor, harness and computer. It was on a 350. I want to put it all in my truck but do not know where to start, any help is appreciated.


My engine compartment:




The original engine was a 305, but it was replaced in 1995 with the crate engine you see in the pic, its a 350.

[piecesparts]

On that old of Camaro, the TPI setup is one with the 9th stage injector tube, where the later ones did not have that type of cold air injection. I would look at getting the injectors cleaned and flow balanced, for starters. You will either have to figure out what on your harness is not useable to you or get a harness made by one of the many companys that does such a thing. Try looking at the website www.thirdgen.org for information on swaps and installs. Get onto Street and Performance's website www.hotrodlane.cc and get one of their catalogs. Contact them and also ask for their TPI install DVDs that they offer up to perspective parts buyers to get them hooked on the install. Talk to either Mark Campbell or Lambert about what they can do for you. They are expensive, IN SOME CASES, so have an idea of what you want and work for that end. Look at a good fuel pump and what you need for fuel lines to set yourself up for the TPI. The pump has to be higher pressure than a TBI pump. You will need to get clearance around your fan shroud and look for a good filter for the intake. You may want to look for a serpentine belt setup for your engine, Check with the guys at S&P or elsewhere for what your clearance here would be with the stock belts.


There is a book that is sold on the market that can help you here. Pace Performance sells it, as well as S&P. It sell for about $25.00 and is for TPI swaps.

I have a TPI setup and motor from a 90 Vette in my garage that I got with a purchase of a project truck. I plan on installing it in my Daily Driver 91 Silverado. The previous owner had already removed the TPI, from the Vette motor, and sent it off to the Street and Performance guys for a refurbishment and it was sitting in a box with the computer redone and the whole thing cleaned. It had been sitting around for over 5 years and I have some ideas for it. I took it back to Street and Performance and upgraded the injectors to 25 lb units instead of the 19 lb ones that are factory installed, I had the computer xchip bumped for the extra flow. After that I brought the unit home and put the Edelbrock big tubes on it and changed the baseplate over to a vortec plate so that it will bolt to a set of 96 vortec heads. Along with the 1.6 rocker arms, this should produce about 350 hp without any problem.

[Rc 415]

My mistake its out of a corvette, is the 9th stage thing a bad thing?

[71swb4x4]

This site will help you a lot:
http://chevythunder.com/

Also do a board search, this topic has been covered a ton. I am not saying you shouldn't post the question again, just telling you that you can find additional info by searching. I bought the Helm manual for the car my TPI came out and made the original harness work. I think it was the best thing I could have done. Researching all of the wires on the harness taught me a ton about how the system worked, and how I needed to install it in the car.

[Srubydo1986]

Man id be to afraid to do any of that. Id love to have it buyt the money wow. It shure would make an old car run like a modern one with the same fuel mileage to.

[Rc 415]

I got the setup for 150, good investment I think.

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

This site will help you a lot:
http://chevythunder.com/

Also do a board search, this topic has been covered a ton. I am not saying you shouldn't post the question again, just telling you that you can find additional info by searching. I bought the Helm manual for the car my TPI came out and made the original harness work. I think it was the best thing I could have done. Researching all of the wires on the harness taught me a ton about how the system worked, and how I needed to install it in the car.

That link is awsome, Its going to help me a lot, thanks.

[71swb4x4]

I had Brian at http://www.tpichips.com/ burn my factory chip for me. I had bumped up to bigger injectors (started with a 305 TPI), pulled some smog equipment off, and had an RV cam so he burnt the chip to work with my combo. I think it cost $50 to burn my chip.

[Rc 415]

sounds like a plan. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what exactly all I'm supposed to have, besides the main intake setup, manifold, distributor, harness and computer, I was reading that site you linked me and it makes me think theres supposed to be more.

[Russell]

The biggest factor in making your swap a success or failure is in your engine combo. I can't stress how important it is to get a camshaft that is designed for fuel injection. You can get these things tuned to operate with an older style camshaft, but that takes lots of time, or takes lots of money. By starting with an engine that is built with EFI in mind, you'll be bypassing a lot of problems that could otherwise arise.

The electrical portion of this swap is pretty easy, don't waste your money buying fancy aftermarket wiring harnesses when all it takes is a pair of side cutters, mini-needle noses, and soldering stuff to build your own harness with the wiring diagrams you can find at chevythunder.com.

Fuel system is just a matter of spending money to do it right, as with anything, and physically bolting it on is easy, only possible modifications will be changing the center 4 bolt angles, if required.

Chevythunder.com covers everything that you need for the swap, if you think you're missing anything, feel free to post up, and I, or anyone else who has done a TPI swap, would be happy to help you find what you need

[87 STEPPER]

Okay heres the things most people never think of when they do this swap.

Your truck is carbed so you will need to either change the tank with one from an '87 or you can get the FI pump & sending unit assembly that drops in the top of the tank it will have both the press.& ret. lines and the vapor line and then you will need to put a fuel filter in the system that will handle the higher operating pressures.

You need to start looking in the j/y for a '87 C10 and get the complete fuel system & lines from it.

You will still have to modify the hard lines to adapt it to the TPI fuel rails so plan on buying fome flex hoes and some AN fittings.

You will need to either go to a j/y and get a throttle cable assy. from a TPI camaro or order it from Chevrolet cuz your old one won't reach to the front of the TPI.

You will need to get some kind of tranny kickdown cable thats longer and i can't tell you what to use there cuz you probably have a TH350 i needed one for my 700r4 but i was able to use a camaro one.

You will also have to get the alternator bracket from either the Vette or a Camaro cuz your truck one won't work.

I don't see a T-stat housing on your intake manifold so if you don't have that you will need to get the TPI one a regular one wont work also don't run a T-stat lower than 180*.

What ever you do for a wiring harnes get it set up for as a Speed Density System.

Same thing if you get a custom burned chip.

This all may seem overwhelming right now but i assure you it's not that complicated.

It's a great system to run and very reliable.

BTW....the 9th Injector isn't a bad thing at all and it's really refered to as a cold start inj. not cold air.

It was deleted on later TPI systems cuz Chevrolet just programed the ECM to have all 8 injectors to throw more fuel in at the first start and the extra amount is adjusted from the inputs of verious eng. and air temp. sensors.

[Rc 415]

I have an auto 700R4 tranny, and thanks for all the info its helping a lot.

[Rc 415]

Btw, is there any way I can figure out exactly what type of 350 I have by finding numbers on the engine itself?

[Russell]

Yep, right behind the alternator, there is a little boss that has some numbers stamped into it. The boss is part of the head mounting face, so if your block has ever been machined, the numbers will be gone.

Otherwise, there is a casting number on the back driver's side of the engine, casted into the top of the bellhousing just behind / below the driver's side head. Take the number you find there and go to www.mortec.com, should be able to find out what kind of block it is, and potentially the number of main bolts.

I agree with Bruce -- Speed Density is definitely the simpler system to go with, you'll need to make some wiring changes, but you can find out exactly what needs to be done at www.thirdgen.org

[Jim85IROC]

Using the 85 Corvette stuff poses some interesting challenges. The 85 was a unique year for a number of reasons. For one, the MAF and MAF burnoff circuit were unique, and the burnoff module is piggy-backed to the ECM. They are prone to failure, and extremely expensive to replace if you can find one at all. Another big problem with the 85 is that the computer is unique to that year and quite primitive. There aren't a lot of guys that have experience reprogramming them, so if your car won't run well with the stock chip, you're going to have a hard time getting it straightened out. I've also been told by a GM tech taht the 85 Corvette ran a lower fuel pressure than all other TPI vehicles (including later Corvettes), which all ran 43lbs. I can't verify this, but you should try to find out.

My suggestion would be to upgrade the computer and harness to a later model. I did this in my 85 IROC. Right now I'm running a 165 ECM out of an 86-89 f or Y body. There is a lot more support out there for custom chips for this computer, and it is a better computer. Many people upgrade to the 90-92 Speed Density system. This makes chip burning a lot easier because there's no MAF tables to deal with, but is also less capable of automatically responding to mods, so you need custom chips with all but minor motor upgrades. One thing that a few people have been doing lately is to convert to an ECM like what the LS1 cars and later Vortec trucks run. This is a bit more involved, but reports are that drivability is as good as the late model cars. Apparently these computers really control the cars well. Thirdgen.org has some extensive information on this subject and it's well worth reading.

[68c-10]

I am surpised that no one has mentioned this yet, the tpi setups only bolt onto 87 and newer center bolt valve cover heads. You have a crate motor (by look of the valve covers) that is to replace the 86 and older motors. Your intake will not bolt down to your current heads. They changed the angle of the center bolts when they went to the center bolt valve covers. They also added a one peice rear main seal and the back of the crank is different.

[Malo83]

Rc hate to be a bearer of bad news but have you checked with the DMV on this swap, notice it's a Cali truck , if you have to do the bi-annual smog test you won't get past the VISUAL , my 83 is due this June and they go over it with a fine tooth comb, but if you can get around it , go for it, looks like a nice setup
John

[Jim85IROC]

Originally Posted by 68c-10

I am surpised that no one has mentioned this yet, the tpi setups only bolt onto 87 and newer center bolt valve cover heads. You have a crate motor (by look of the valve covers) that is to replace the 86 and older motors. Your intake will not bolt down to your current heads. They changed the angle of the center bolts when they went to the center bolt valve covers. They also added a one peice rear main seal and the back of the crank is different.

You're incorrect. TPI units on f-bodies from 85-86 will fit onto the old heads, and TPI units from any year Corvette will fit onto the old style heads. The 113 Corvette heads retained the old bolt angle even though the f-body went to the new bolt angle with the centerbolt heads in 87.

[Jim85IROC]

I'm not familiar with Cali laws, but since his truck is an 83, as long as his motor and induction are from a newer vehicle and have all proper pollution control equipment installed, isn't it legal?

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by Jim85IROC

I'm not familiar with Cali laws, but since his truck is an 83, as long as his motor and induction are from a newer vehicle and have all proper pollution control equipment installed, isn't it legal?

Wish it were so , everything the truck rolled out with has to be attached and functioning

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by Malo83

Rc hate to be a bearer of bad news but have you checked with the DMV on this swap, notice it's a Cali truck , if you have to do the bi-annual smog test you won't get past the VISUAL , my 83 is due this June and they go over it with a fine tooth comb, but if you can get around it , go for it, looks like a nice setup
John

The last time I got it smogged the dudes didnt even pop the hood, is there any way around this?

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by Jim85IROC

Using the 85 Corvette stuff poses some interesting challenges. The 85 was a unique year for a number of reasons. For one, the MAF and MAF burnoff circuit were unique, and the burnoff module is piggy-backed to the ECM. They are prone to failure, and extremely expensive to replace if you can find one at all. Another big problem with the 85 is that the computer is unique to that year and quite primitive. There aren't a lot of guys that have experience reprogramming them, so if your car won't run well with the stock chip, you're going to have a hard time getting it straightened out. I've also been told by a GM tech taht the 85 Corvette ran a lower fuel pressure than all other TPI vehicles (including later Corvettes), which all ran 43lbs. I can't verify this, but you should try to find out.

My suggestion would be to upgrade the computer and harness to a later model. I did this in my 85 IROC. Right now I'm running a 165 ECM out of an 86-89 f or Y body. There is a lot more support out there for custom chips for this computer, and it is a better computer. Many people upgrade to the 90-92 Speed Density system. This makes chip burning a lot easier because there's no MAF tables to deal with, but is also less capable of automatically responding to mods, so you need custom chips with all but minor motor upgrades. One thing that a few people have been doing lately is to convert to an ECM like what the LS1 cars and later Vortec trucks run. This is a bit more involved, but reports are that drivability is as good as the late model cars. Apparently these computers really control the cars well. Thirdgen.org has some extensive information on this subject and it's well worth reading.

So your saying I should keep the manifold, intake setup, distributer, and trash the rest? will a later computer and harness plug and play with this unit?

[Rc 415]

bump

[Pyrotechnic]

I thought you either had the have the stock engine with the original emissions system, or a newer engine with it's own stock emissions system, but never older in any case. Making a law that keeps you from having LOWER emissions seems rather stupid, especially in the case of going from a carburetor to fuel injection.

[jdb368]

my dad and I installed a tpi into a 68 2wd c10. i will try to find some better pictures and some info on where we got the wireing done and other things.
http://yfrog.com/5dphoto1xslj