I'm in the process of deciding on a crate engine to drop in the TA in a couple of weeks. I was really thinking about building a shortblock, but I think a crate will be the way to go. I found this "internet only" engine that I think would be great to put in, but I have a few concerns and need some help.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...578&pid=154041

If I use my factory TPI will it choke this motor? I know it will not flow well at higher rpms, but I will be upgrading the system as the budjet allows. I will be burning my own chips for this thing, and I have a set of #24 injectors already. I plan on putting a set of headers in when the motor is out. Will I need anything besides a knock sensor and injectors to make this work?

What do you guys think of these two as alternatives?http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=120&pid=115

http://www.goautocenter.com/300hp_tpi_1987-89.htm

I have been searching the boards and gotten a lot of good info, but I was hoping to get some input from some people who might catch some issues I'm missing. Thanks

 

ill bounce for the H.O. pretty nice engine. just get that and thgrow an rpm intake and a 750 carb and you'll be reasy for low 13's and maybe a high 12.

 

I have the 300hp autocenter crate motor in my 92 RS.
Mine is tbi, so the cam specs are a little different, but it's been running great for the year and a half I've had it in and it currently has over 25,000 miles on it. It's my daily driver. Car's so much more fun to drive now!

For tpi, you'll want to get the bigger injectors, as well as the correct knock sensor and esc module. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator and a good exhaust system and intake will help it make the advertised hp.

Burning your own chip will save you the expense of a custom chip that may not be ideal for your setup anyway.
-Rich-

 

Your going to need a Vortec specific intake or modify your lower intake to mate to the Vortec heads. I've read were CarCraft made a Performer or something similar work with mods, but, alas, with a carb or TBI you have more choices.

The goatautocenter motor looks like a better option as it has '87- up-specific heads.

Also, your "Grunt" motor seems suspiciously similar to the GM Performance 350HO, without the chrome.

 

I forgot to mention the need for the vortec manifold. I was looking at the 330HO engine, but for less money I can get the engine with the vortec heads already on it. It's probably going to be a matter of whether or not they have any "internet only" engines available in about two weeks. The "Grunt" motor has a different timing chain cover on it too, so I'm not sure exactly what it is. I will try to get the specs from them next week.

Sorry, correction, I meant that the 330 "Grunt" motor was cheaper than the 330HO with basically almost the same setup, but I will have to find out more about this thing after finals tommorrow. I don't know what kind of block it is based on, and judging from the timing chain cover I need to find out. If this one won't work I'll probably stick with the 300 hp tpi engine. I was hoping to pick up a stronger engine, but with the additional 400 dollars for a manifold it looks like I may stick with the cheaper one and upgrade later. Man 330 hp would be nice though.

Anyone know anything about the engine with the odd timing chain cover?

 

Where can you get the 330ho motor with the vortec heads already on it for a cheaper price? Also i was to the understanding that the 330ho swap would only need bigger injecotrs, knock sensor and esc module and then a chip for it to work.

 

If your swapping from a 5.0L 305 all you need is injectors and the different knock sensor. It should run on the 305 chip just not well. So a new chip is really a must to realize the performance of the engine.

However if you are getting a crate motor with Vortec heads then you do need to get the Vortec TPI baseplate which is like $400.00 more.

The stock TPI will choke the motor but you can change that by modifying it. There are a few guys around using the basic TPI system with an aftermarket intake like the Stealthram or Mini-ram that are doing quite well.