I just got an 85 T/A 305 TPI. It needs a motor and i have a 305 TBI from and 89 camaro. Does anyone know if i can swap intakes and use the 89 motor. Everyone in my area says they dont know so i should just try but i dont wanna waste my time. Any info would be great.

The 85 engine uses perimeter bolt heads while the 89 uses centerbolt style heads. I am pretty sure those centerbolt heads will not just bolt up to the 85 lower tpi manifold because the bolt holes are at different angles.

You could probably have a machine shop make that manifold work though.

Correct. The 2 center bolts on the 89 heads are "stood up" at a steeper angle than on the 85 heads.

That issue aside, the 305 TBI cam and heads are a much milder combo than your 85. Your stock chip won't be optimal to run it. Even with tuning it won't go as fast as the original 85 parts.

The 89 will be a roller cam and will be easy to upgrade to any number of cheap cams for a slightly better than stock (85) setup. And failing that theres no reason you cant run the 85's tappet cam in the roller block.


The TBI heads are the crappy tumble port heads but they can make suprising power and tons of torque. The tumble port's tendancy to generate torque and fall on it's face at higher RPM's can compliment the TPI manifold and tune nicely but again failing that the original heads can be inspected and swapped to the new block eliminating any manifold issues.

thanks for all the help guys. Now that ive got all this info i found out that the motor i just took out wasnt the orig. it has the newer style heads and valve covers with the center intake bolts at the dif angle. and now that ive got the manifold off i see someone already bored out the holes so the bolts would work. So im guessing this camaro motor will work. As far as power goes i just want the car to run...been staring at it in the garage for a month now. Ill worry about HP later...thanks again