Questions on TPI to TBI - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

F404MECH · 10-07-2009, 02:07 PM

I know I'm going backwards but it's more of a financial thing than anything else, so that being said here's the short version of the story...I have a '91 firebird 305 TBI and I am able to get the engine from a '88 trans am 305 TPI minus the injection system and computer, for free. So I figured I would just swap the TBI parts from my engine to the other one. Can this be done? I have heard that the cam in a TBI engine is very particular and the engine wouldn't run right if I did not also swap the cam from my engine. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Also is anyone aware of any other roadblocks or show stoppers? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Like I said all it's costing me is the time, so I figured what the heck.

Thanks,
Pete

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ShiftyCapone · 10-07-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F404MECH

I know I'm going backwards but it's more of a financial thing than anything else, so that being said here's the short version of the story...I have a '91 firebird 305 TBI and I am able to get the engine from a '88 trans am 305 TPI minus the injection system and computer, for free. So I figured I would just swap the TBI parts from my engine to the other one. Can this be done? I have heard that the cam in a TBI engine is very particular and the engine wouldn't run right if I did not also swap the cam from my engine. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Also is anyone aware of any other roadblocks or show stoppers? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Like I said all it's costing me is the time, so I figured what the heck.

Thanks,
Pete

It can be done and it is a direct swap. You won't be gaining much though. The TPI cam will be better than the stock L03 cam and the heads are a little different, but if you can't burn your own chips I wouldn't do it. It could be a potential 200hp+ engine with the TPI cam and heads, but without tuning it may leave you with less than the stock 170hp. If your car runs fine now, I would leave it as is until you are commited to tuning and other supporting mods. Sell the TPI heads and use it for exhaust mods or other stuff on your car that might need some work.

F404MECH · 10-07-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShiftyCapone

It can be done and it is a direct swap. You won't be gaining much though. The TPI cam will be better than the stock L03 cam and the heads are a little different, but if you can't burn your own chips I wouldn't do it. It could be a potential 200hp+ engine with the TPI cam and heads, but without tuning it may leave you with less than the stock 170hp. If your car runs fine now, I would leave it as is until you are commited to tuning and other supporting mods. Sell the TPI heads and use it for exhaust mods or other stuff on your car that might need some work.

Thanks for the info. my current 305 has 150K plus miles on it and a leaking head gasket so I figure as long as I have the opportunity I might as well take it. I do have an ADS superchip right now, don't know if that would be sufficient, or would I need to go someplace like Summit and have one burned?