Spncking

I am fairly new to third gen camaros so any suggestions will help. I have an 86 with a 305 tpi in now but I need a new engine. (No compression) I need to know what other engines will work and what years. I'd like to find one that I could use my tpi settup and need to know if what engines would be a simple swap over. Open to a 305 or 350 but I can't find any tpi's nearby. Very small budget I really just need a simple swap to get back on the road. Thanks in advance

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

305 or 350 TBI (throttle body) or even older carb'ed engines will swap right in. It can be from a pickup truck, van, suv, car, etc.. Don't just have to be from a camaro.

You may need to use some of your accessories and brackets off your stock engine.. Use your intake and tune port injection over on the other engine too if you like.

Spncking

Thank you. Yeah I figured I'd need my brackets for my power steering pump and alternator because most engines I've seen have the alternator on the driver side and mine is on the passenger side. So I won't need to change my computer or anything like that. And I'm guessing if I do get a 350 I'll need bigger fuel injectors right?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The factory used 19 lb/hr injectors in 305 TPIs, and 22 lb/hr injectors in 350 TPIs. Also used a different knock sensor and module. You can run a 350 with the 305 parts, but usually it'll run a little better with the 350 stuff.

Spncking

I'll be buying a complete 350 minus an alternator and starter so I'll be able to use the knock sensor and injectors from it and just put on my tpi setup and swap the brackets for the alternator and power steering pump from my 305.. What years will work? any from 85-97 ( I think that's what years the tbi was offered) or will any specific years be easier?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The only 350s from the factory with TPI were in f-bodies from 1987-1992, and Vettes from 1985-1991. The 1985 engines were pretty lame. 1986-1/2 up Vette engines had aluminum heads (which your '86 TPI will bolt to). Your chances of finding one of these engines for a decent price, with the injectors, is pretty slim.

'87-'95 truck 350s are a decent choice for a budget 305 -> 350 swap. The heads are garbage, but you simply take your 305 heads off, have a shop go through them, and put them on the 350 truck shortblock. The knock sensor from the truck will also work. Get a cam & lifter kit like Summit's SUM-K1103, timing set & valve springs (that the shop will put on when they go through the heads). If your budget allows, you could even have the shop machine the intake valve seats for 1.94" valves, which you can steal from the truck heads.

You'll still need to find 22 lb injectors, but that shouldn't be too hard. Check the TGO Classifieds forums.

In 1996, Chevy light trucks went to the "Vortec" engines, which had really nice heads, but the injection system was nothing to write home about. In order to use one of those, you'll have to get a different intake base or manifold to work with the Vortec heads. That would be a very nice setup, but the intake issue could be a budget buster. They also have roller cams, and your TPI would actually work pretty well with the stock Vortec cam (unlike flat tappets, roller typically last a very long time, as long as oil changes are somewhat regular).

Confused yet?

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

I have Bosch 3 injectors from south bay which are farely new and worked pretty well before I changed engines 6 months later. I also have other TPI stuff if you need it including he esc module from a 350. The TPI won't work with "Vortec" heads because the angling is different on the 906 heads- do not get a jasper reman for f-body cars because they'll sell you a 350 with the wrong cam and caprice heads fyi