Here goes...
I own and drive a 1988 T/A. It came with a 305 TBI 5-speed. I bought the car because I loved the T-Tops and 5-speed. I had an 86 that was auto and a hardtop. Anyway. I recently plucked a 1987 T/A with a 305 TPI LB9 with an auto. I also got it because it had an all black deluxe interior, with the overhead console and power everything. It was the special performance edition for 87. It cam with black GTA wheels as well. I got it for $500.00 and did 110 mph on the way home.
I am now thinking of putting the TPI into my 88. The only thing holding me back is the fact that I don't have the five speed TPI computer. Is there anything different between the auto and manual computers? I am pretty sure there is some difference. Also, I do not want to lose any of the features of the 88 like cruise and A/C. Has anyone done a swap like this? The other thing is will my headers from the 88 tbi fit the 87 tpi? I can always replace them, but I would like to make this as cost effective as it can be.

So lets review:
- TPI Auto into TBI 5spd
- Differences in Auto TPI and Manual TPI wiring
- Will I lose Cruise and A/C
- Will I be able to keep my TBI Headers
- What will I need from the TPI car to put into the TBI car for the swap?

Please remember, I have a great advantage because the cars are sitting side by side. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

why dont you just take the 5 speed out of the T\A and swap it into the 88 then have a chip burned?

 

It is just a Matter of minorly modifying the harness and scoring the PROM for a stick. Not hard at all (there might even be some one on the ECM board that will hook you up with a chip for next to nothing)

 

Moving the 5 speed to the 87, tpi car, wont work because I want to use the 88, tbi car, body. It is in much nicer shape. I am going to swap over the interior as well. Basically I am making one real good car out of two ok cars. If I don't do it, I am going to sell the motor and tranny out of the 87 with the ecm and wiring, complete package. I can always find another TPI for parts.

 

The swap is pretty straight up just rember to swap the heads, cam and exhaust manifolds too (all are better than the TBI parts). This might be a good time to port the heads and go with a better cam (like an lt1 cam).

 

If I were to do the swap, I would move the whole motor over. I appreciate the info on the cam. I never thought of that. I am assuming that I would have to buy new headers and exhaust system to put on after I swapped. Are you saying that I can use the computer from the auto car, as long as I had a new prom chip burned?
I know with, dare I say, Mustangs, you have to get a 5-speed computer when you do the swap. What about the fuel tank, pump, and lines. Would I have to move them over too? I checked at Autozone and they said the pumps are different. Does this sound right?

 

The pump would have to be moved over but I believe that the lines are the same. I know that on a carbed car they exit the trans tunnel on the oposite side but I believe that with TBI they are on the same line. You have both cars... Just LOOK at it. The computers are the same the diffrence is in the PROM and wireing harness. Look into auto to manual swaps all of the wireing is in there.

 

If your trans is not computer controlled, you won't even need to change the prom. Are there any wires going to it besides to the lockup converter? Your Cruise does not use any info from the trans except maybe the VSS, vehicle speed sensor that will be on the 5 speed as well. My 86 VSS was in the speedo head unit, not on the trans.

I put a T56 in my 86 that used to have a 700R4 with no changes to the computer or prom, no codes ever came up, cruise still worked. Get a wiring diagram for ech car and check it out!!

 

Hello to all who have replied to this thread. I have made the decision to just part out the 87 TPI car. I do not have the garage space and time to do this project. I bought the 87 to possibly restore, clean up, and drive. Now I have rethought that and am going to make one really nice car, and sell the rest off. Thanks for all the input. I will be installing a TPI later on down the road, but I need to get the Wife's car done.... Mustang. We are just one big car-crazy family! Its cool though, cause' she doesn't give me anyh crap about buying cars, and/or parts!!!!