mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Ok its been 3 years since I gave up my 91 1LE 5 speed TTOP formula. Now a 1989 GTA sits in the garage. 350TPI auto. I have a fresh 383 vortec head roller long block begging to be installed. Here is where I am stuck. Run the Stock TPI or go HSR? or keep the stock TPI as is on the side and run the carb I already have?
Cam selection really leaning towards .510 lift 226/234 @5 112 installed at 108. I have already contacted tunedperformance to obtain a tune.
Injector size?

Carb is way cheaper and but keeping the TPI keep the GTA true. So lets here your thoughts?

92rsvortec350

iTrader: (8)

hsr would be cheaper then hi flow tpi parts and make more power and they have a pro comp stealth ram that can be bought for $200.

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

I hate to break it to you, but that does not look like a GTA, but rather a Trans Am only.

TPI, depends on what you want. Do you want the torque and power and fuel mileage, or do you want the power and simplicity (carb)

Hopefully someone who hasnt moved on from TPI will chime in.

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

oh and I forgot to add, if you do go with TPI, decide what you want maf or speed density. (Mafs are expensive, more complicated, and chances are your not going to find a used one that will work much longer - ask me how I know )

VincentZ28

iTrader: (2)

The HSR is the best for the 383 and will get good gas mileage if tune right.

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Ok. First it's a true GTA. I ran the VIN before I bought it. Previous owner never put the right badges back on the car after it got painted. I don't want to drop a crap ton into the engine. PC intake I can actually get cheaper than $200 locally. Not a bad deal but really depends on the cost to tune this ghing up. Worst case senario I go larger cam for a carb and keep the original engine on the side

ray jr

iTrader: (2)

hsr or a modified tpi setup ..

if those fenders have cut outs in the lowers then it is not a gta .. then again it could have been wrecked and somebody put trans am fenders on it ..

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Yes it has the trans am fenders. The guy put them on bc the stock fenders were shot. It's a GTA gentleman. By vin not by looks

FalconZ28

I'm curious to see how this turns out. I'm building a 383 vortec myself, and I think I'm going to go with the HSR in place of the TPI after learning what a giant turd these intakes become at high lifts and RPMs.

So go with the HSR. It's probably a better performer all around, and I can't justify dropping 400 on the SDPP vortec intake for a TPI considering how restrictive they are.

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Definitely going to HSR route. I found a hotrod Tpi shoot out article that was interesting. It even had the same cam I was thinking of using. And tuned performance is doing my tune. And you can't beat 200 for the PC HSR

FalconZ28

Can anyone advise on a source for this $200 pro comp? A quick google and ebay search have come up dry.

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Type in speed master Tpi intake on eBay or go to their website it has a 79 after their name

Priya

Lots of good info here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...-tpi-dyno.html

cuisinartvette

Do you want it " true" or making power?
Dont put a stock TPI on it unless its temporary to drive..then upgrade.

dfarr67

iTrader: (2)

I have a used Edelbrock set up. I went to First TPI for my 385.

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Anyone looking for the speedmaster/procomp intake is out of luck. They only have the upper and the rep told me at least 4 months before they get any.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

They told me a few weeks. ?

-- Joe

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

I have called 3 different times and each rep has told me more than 4 months

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Ugg.. Oh well. Guess that project is on hold.

Thanks for the info

-- Joe

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

So is mine after a column swap that triggered security light that will not go off. Even tried all the usually VATS over rides and nothing

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

From what has been explained to me from my neighbor who has a gm crate 383 carb setup in his 81 vette, the 383 already makes a ton of torque, a higher ratio than most motors. Having said that, I think go with the hsr since you won't need the torque that you'd get from a stock tpi setup. Just my thoughts

VincentZ28

iTrader: (2)

You will not loose any torque going with a HSR or Miniram with a stroker. Just make sure you have the right tune and at least 30lb-36lbs injectors.

Nelz

I just installed my Vortec headed TPI with a Super ram. Runs lean and I'm working with PCMforless on the tune. (Need warmer weather for datalogging.) It passed emissions testing. Cam was a David Vizard cam from his book How to Make Max Small Block Chevy Horsepower. DVH270-06 HRH (I forgot to tell Lunati it was a factory roller block and had to use a thurst button. If you order that cam, you need to let them know you are using a post 87 roller block.) Can't remember the lift exactly off the top of my head but it was adv. 270, 219@.50 and I think lift was at .540 w 1.6 rockers. 106 LSA single pattern cam. (Recommended by DV for 383's.) I have to say, it feels like I did lose torque with the SuperRam. Maybe my butt dyno is off, but the old 305 setup had lots of Torque off the line. The Super Ram, although I haven't revv'd it past 4000 yet because I've only driven it a few days before winter set in and still need to break it in feels like I lost low end torque. And I'm still using the log exhaust manifolds! But if you look up an article called Ten times the Torque, you can see the results of a 383 with all types of intakes including the stock TPI and HSR. With Vortec heads you're gonna have to switch intake manifolds which add to the cost. Unless you go with EQ lightning heads or maybe some RHS's or Dart heads with the heart shaped chamber that can use the conventional stock TPI base (I'd port the base to make it bigger) it does get expensive. The HSR does make a lot of horsepower and does come as a kit. (Although I'd go with 36lb injectors instead of the 30's.) The cheapest way to keep yours a stock TPI is to go with a David Vizard Cam, go with some good aftermarket heads that use the conventional TPI base and get siamesed runners unless you are ok with around 400HP and 500 ft. lb's of torque (and which I've read was actually possible with a 355 with the right combo.) The HSR setup made 501HP and 493ft. lbs using Trick Flow heads and a huge cam.

Copperhead

You may be able to get the results you want with TPI IF you have a local tuner, and there aren't many around that know or care about TPI anymore. It can be done.

That being said, if you have to BUY all the hi-flo stuff then you are further ahead with the HSR etc. I had the stuff so I used it and it turned out fine (340rwhp/370rwtq/20mpg hwy.)

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

I also just talked to another member on their experience with the knock off HSR. THe lower intake had to be milled in order to fit the heads properly.

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Either way I just came home to a receipt for a carb 383 top end setup for Vday. So I am getting away from the TPI setup all together.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

I think his combination was off from decking.

Carb huh? I remember those.


-- Joe

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Yeah going carb. It's a done deal and since I do not drive the car in the winter no big deal. The TPI is great on these cars for what they are. As far as decking on that engine I have no clue. Either way I still have a lot of my carb parts off my 91 formula I can use. I plan on taking out the AC portion of the harness so I can use it and I have a new spare c100 connector to make a new plug and play setup for the carb conversion. And besides 500hp is 500hp regardless of which fuel system you use. EFI is just more efficient.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

My car is a trailer queen, hasn't had places since 2001. I Rely heavily though on the ECM since it's forced induction, I like having control over timing, fan settings, boost control, etc. Plus I use the wideband as a tuning aid and like to be able to re-tune sitting in a stool. I change things very often and am constantly chasing the tune.

-- Joe

mackjar66

iTrader: (9)

Yeah I can't bring myself to build the trailer queen. My son was upset when I sold my 91 1LE car and when I bought this my son couldn't wait to go for a ride. He is seven and comes out to get his hands dirty on everything. One day I hope to pass it down to him. Once the drive train is out I'm sending to my cousins body shop to get all the under body fixed up and paint the car black lava red

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Sounds like it's gonna be a nice car.

My car has a big turbo engine and a th350 trans. I can drive it around town but I've got a 4th gen convertible that I never drive so..

-- Joe