Hey everyone,
I want to do a TPI conversion over the summer from my 305 TBI. So I know I need the harness, but do I need a special coversion harness? or will a regular TPI harness work? I saw them for $450 online, but I thinK i'd rather scavange one. Can I convert/add to my own?
So Basically, what are my options on the harness.
Thanks,
A.sting

 

I'm not sure but i pulled my harness apart and the only wires that feed the eight injectors is four wires. You maybe be able to build your own pigtails to the two injector leads and throw in a tpi pcm and call it good. Just check though.

 

okay, does anyone know for sure? Do I need a specific hybrid one, or do I need just a typical TPI harness? anyone?

 

I did a TBI to TPI. But I went with a newer style PCM.

I say find a used one for your specific year and model (bird or maro). Then get your year ECM with proper trans.

 

okay, so I can just use the stock one (IE from a boneyard).
Also, I have a manual tranny, so there is no proper ECM, however from what I understand I can use a 305 TPI auto and there'll be a check engine light. I've also heard that aftermarket ecms can be bought that are for 305 tpi and manual (I have the stock t-5).

 

Yes you can use your existing TBI harness, by repinning several wires and adding a few new ones. This has been discussed and posted, and there might even be a tech article on it, so

Yes there is a proper ECM and chip for a 305 5-speed. Both automatic and 5-speed TPI's use the same ECM, but the chip is different. You wont get a check engine light from using an automatic chip on a manual trans, but the engine will not run 100%, and will probably want to stall on you when you press the clutch to slow down.

 

okay thanks. As far as I know there's no tech article on it, but if you're talking about the swap as a whole there is. The tech article simply says send it off to get converted, or buy the summit one if you're going to have a strip car ( no accessories). Hm... I thought they didn't make a 90-92 305 5-speed tpi car... Guess you learn something everyday.
So i would be able to just get a whole harness from the junkyard? Or is there a post with just the specific repinning? (I searched, and didn't find anything). I did find posts on swapping earlier tpi into later cars though...
would replacing the harness be way too much work?

Pleasantly wrong;
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/216453-repinning-tbi-speed-density.html?highlight=tpi+tbi+repinning+harness

so now my question is can I just grab the injector connection from before it's spliced from a boneyard and slap it on my injector lines?