TPI vs carb

[Blizz]

can someone give me the pros and cons of each? is it as simple as getting off an old camaro and slapping it in? i have a newer gen crate 350.

[jhow66]

Makes a nice street setup but a lot is involved in setting it up. (wiring in the comp., adding sensors, adding high pressure pump and return line and welding in oxy. sensor in exhaust.)

[71swb4x4]

slap it in? Not quite, but's it not impossible either. I did it, and I'm not a pro at this stuff. There are a ton of threads on it here, do a search. Also check out www.jagsthatrun.com and www.chevythunder.com

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

slap it in? Not quite, but's it not impossible either. I did it, and I'm not a pro at this stuff. There are a ton of threads on it ere, do a search. Also check out www.jagsthatrun.com and www.chevythunder.com

I did it last summer and it took me a while but I love it. Cold starts are great (although I converted from a manual choke Holley) and the low end torque is excellent. If you do any offroading, it's definately the way to go.

If you decide to go for it, do your research first and make sure that you get a COMPLETE setup for a 350. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and check out www. thirdgen.org. It's a Camaro/Firebird site and the guys know their stuff about TPI.

Besides, I think it gives your truck that extra "Wow" factor when you pop the hood.

[Deuce]

I put a TPI 383 in the old truck and after hearing it run (Haven't driven it yet.....doing suspension now) I would never go back to a carb. throttle response is awsome,and it starts like a dream.

[Deuce]

I also moved the battery to the frame on the pass side to make a functional cold air intake.

[Blizz]

so how much is a complete setup usually?

[71swb4x4]

You can find them on Ebay where they "claim" to be complete for $300 - $500...but they aren't complete. I bought a whole car and that's how I would do it again. I knew it ran before I started, so that helped when I had to chase gremlins. A complete one will have everything, the harness, computer, distributer, injectors, 02 sensor, knock sensor, relays, etc. I think it's so much easier to start with a whole car though, that way you know that it runs before you start.

[EFI70Blazer]

Just curious where you guys put your computer. My Jimmy has factory A/C so i am not sure if it will even fit under the dash with all the extra hoses and vents. I am hoping to be able to do this soon, so any info would be helpfull.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Blizz

can someone give me the pros and cons of each? is it as simple as getting off an old camaro and slapping it in? i have a newer gen crate 350.

Alot depends on 'why' your looking into doing it.
Fairly big project but by no means impossible.

IMO, I'd go with an after market wiring harness, not a complete car.
Reason being is with an A/M harness, you'll only need power it and install the sensors. (short version)
A stand alone brain will be way easier as well.

Do the research for sure, there's lots to learn before you jump in.


For me, it's wheeling the steeps.
No carb, no stumble...stumble on the steeps bites.

[Mike C]

vtblazer is on the right track IMO, but I would do both. Get you a complete car so that you know you have all of the pieces/parts. Then buy the aftermarket wiring harness. You can sell the body to help offset your investement. I bought an '86 305 TPI Trans Am for $1275. After pulling the motor and all the FI parts as well as the TH700R4, I sold the car for $1000. I'll swap in an extra set of LT1 injectors instead of the 18lb 305 ones and am planning on controlling with a DFI box.

[Hart_Rod]

Agree with all that has been said (and definitely buy a complete car: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...44#post1706244 ). I've done all 4, TBI, TPI, LT1 and now a 5.3 vortec (2006 Tahoe). Fuel injection is hard to beat for horse power, dependability and gas mileage. It's more work setting it up, but you will appreciate it afterwards. I've used a Painless Harness, Howell Engineering and a Street and Performance one. Quality and ease of installation is about the same with all of them. Pick one you like after doing some more research.

Rob

[EyeH8the24]

one tpi is better for bigger cams than the other isnt it ?

[Hart_Rod]

If you are going to change from stock, you need to use a MAF (mass air flow) system, vice a MAP (manifold absolute pressure) system. MAF actually measures incoming air, MAP uses preprogrammed values. Some aftermarket systems (holley projection?) will allow you to make adustments to match your engine.

[EyeH8the24]

so tha maf is better when using bigger cams ? was that the early years or the later years ?

[Hart_Rod]

Both, early had MAF, then they went to TBI and later they went to MAF & MAP. Not sure which years.

Rob

[Deuce]

In canada I believe MAF was 85-89.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by EFI70Blazer

Just curious where you guys put your computer. My Jimmy has factory A/C so i am not sure if it will even fit under the dash with all the extra hoses and vents. I am hoping to be able to do this soon, so any info would be helpfull.

I used the extended "painless" harness and put the computer and relays under the seat where I could get at them easily.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by EFI70Blazer

Just curious where you guys put your computer. My Jimmy has factory A/C so i am not sure if it will even fit under the dash with all the extra hoses and vents. I am hoping to be able to do this soon, so any info would be helpfull.

Mine's in my glove compartment. I just cut a couple of holes in the cardboard to feed the wires through. After all the work installing the whole thing I guess I got too lazy to do anything more involved.

[EFI70Blazer]

I already have a Street & Performance harness that is extended so i may just mount it under one of the front seats. To do that i may have to make a hole in the floor otherwise the harness would show under the carpet. I was going to go with a modified LT-1 manifold and decided to go with the earlier TPI manifold instead since i was after torque and not top end power. Has anyone installed one of these on a SBC 400 yet with success. I am also going with a speed density system since i heard that they are a little more forgiving when it comes to modifications to a motor.

[Hart_Rod]

I believe MAF gives you more ability to modify the motor. MAP sensors are specifically designed for a give engine, cam, HP..... Whereas MAF, make adjustments based on the actually airflow required by the engine. Here is some more information.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/24549/
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=52057

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by EFI70Blazer

Just curious where you guys put your computer.

I put mine under the center seat.

[tpi72blazer]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

I put mine under the center seat.

Depending on the ECM you use, you can mount them either inside the cab or in the engine compartment. Corvette ECM's were designed to be waterproof and can be mounted in the engine compartment. If you go this route, make sure you have the waterproof connections on your wiring harness.