I'm looking into purchasing an 87 Iroc with a blown 305. I would be replacing the engine with a 350. My question: I found a 1996 LT1 350 that I'm looking at buying. I still want to use the TPI system, as i dont want to do ANY wiring or tough stuff like that... I am wondering if I remove the complete intake from the LT1 and add the current TPI goodies from the 305... Will it work? Are 96 LT1 heads Vortec? Is there really any difference betweem a Lt1 350 and TPI 350? Thansk

Hmmm...
I would say that if "Wiring" is a show stopper for you then
skip the LT-1 deal altogether...

LT-1 heads and vortec heads have similar combustion
chamber shapes and ports. Otherwise they are not interchange
bits.

As far as TPI engines being the same as LT-1 engines ...
In the grand scheme of things there is no difference
between a 1957 283 and a 2002 LS-1 other than a few
evolutionary changes :-)

At a slightly "finer overview" they are different in both
character and approach.

if you're worried about wiring theres 2 things you can do.

1. forget about the LT1 because you would be wasting over $1000 for a long block only. probably more like $1500. pretty pointless if you ask me because then all you have is a reverse cooled 350 with a basically worthless TPI intake on it.

2. get a Painless wiring harness or something like it and still do the LT1 and be happier in the long run becuase you have a better engine.

Everybody thinks it's hard to wire an LT1 to a non-LT1 car ... ya right .... Gm uses the same colors codes for the fuel injections, (Miniram, TPI and TBI) .... just match wires ....that's it that's all ...

If someone is doing a swap don't except to drop the motor in and go for a ride 30 minutes later ...

You might also learn something by accomplishing this swap and I bet ya, you'll be a pround mofo.

You see I did the swap in 8 days with the factory harness and it wasn't hard, ok ok I did mess up with the VATS but that's it everything else is , matching, wire fews relay and bing bang ...

Ill elaborate on the differences between the TPI 350 and the LT1. The TPI block is very similar to the 55, except for the roller lifters and one piece rear main seal and a few other inconsequential details(spin on oil filter, Bore size, stroke etc...) Now, the LT1 is a different animal and may of the parts will NOT interchange. The LT1 uses an entirely different cooling system. The standard small block water pump is belt driven, the LT1 is cam driven. This means all new front cover, differnt thermostat location, but higher compression ratio.(aluminum heads if F-body variety) Now, the LT! has a standard distributor dive on the end of the cam, but the regular LT1 distributor is also cam driven. The lt! also mounts differently, and as a result, the accesories mount differently also. The LS1 is a TOTALLY different animal, and nothing but maybe a single pulley interchanges.