ok gents, I just bought an 89 RS with a blown up 305. I want to put in a 350, either a vortec-headed or a L98 corvette deal. I want to run a good hyd. roller cam so it makes power and passes smog, and throw all the good **** at it(roller rockers,headers, exhaust, manifold, etc.). Now my question is do I need to run a bigger TBI unit? can I use the stock one to get the car running before I start tweekin it? same for injectors? what about the ECM? do I need to get an aftermarket chip?

This car will be neat and look bitchin. It's black and Im gonna put weld super lites on it and leave the flat hood on it. I would like to take it to the track and get it to run consistant 13's so my wife can drive it everyday and have fun and bracket race it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

You'll get all the info you need on 350 TBI setups/swaps on the TBI forum.

However, "Vortec", "California", and "emissions" do not belong in the same sentence.

Or, if you get them to, please come on back and tell us how you did it.

Chevy High Performance magazine had an article on a Vortec TBI setup they put together, calling it emissions-compliant (or legal, I forget exactly which term they used). Until Shifty called them on the carpet over that, at which time they admitted they hadn't tried getting it past Herr Inspektor yet, and didn't know how that was going to go.

The Vette L98 shouldn't be a problem with TPI, but with TBI, same problem as Vortec.

 

In another thread, you state that you were a former CA ref and current licensed tech. I'd think you'd know this already.

If you're planning something under the table, I don't want to hear about it.

 

There's a vortec kit that I've seen for TBI trucks that's 50 state legal, I was told.
It includes heads, intake, exhaust manifolds, and an EGR pipe that routes gasses from the exh manifold to the intake.
I never bothered to ask if that kit was legal for cars.

You wouldn't need a larger TBI unit, but it would most likely benefit from one.

One suggestion is, if you're going to fudge it by putting a larger than original disp engine in there, stroke it.

As a former ref, I think you're more familiar with the rules than I am, I was going to PM you with a few Qs.
It would be good to get some info straight from the horses mouth, from someone who knows the laws and has some thirdgen-specific background.

 

yea I read the article about the 305 vortec hop up, like the cam, don't like the BS involved in putting the vortec intake on and re-engineering the EGR system. I haven't checked so I don't know if that particular intake is CA legal. The heads technically are not legal cuz they didn't offer those heads on any passenger car. But then again once all the crap is bolted on the engine noone will notice unless the smog tech is sharp and notices the EGR and intake bolts.

As far as the L98 350 swap, using the TBI set up is what I want to do, using the heads won't be a problem cuz they were passenger car heads offered on the corvette and over the counter and are 50 state legal. The only difference is that they are aluminum and obviously make better power than the iron counterparts. If you look back at 85-88 IROC TPI and Corvette 350 the corvette only had what 10-20 hp more? as far as emissions go, It won't be a problem.

Lastly, who would know what heads are on it if the entire engine is painted black? you won't tell the difference when its dressed properly. Besides, I happen to know a smog tech.
Im even thinking of a 383 stroker with the TBI....who would know...only the savvy but again I know who can smog it...

 

Edelbrock makes a kit for trucks. It's not legal for passenger cars, however.

The aluminum L98 heads were never used with a TBI system. In order for the EGR to work, you'd have to plumb exhaust gases up from the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold. Even though aluminum L98 heads were certified in a passenger car, they were only certified with TPI. In order to "pass", you'd have to equip it like a Vette L98 - meaning TPI.

 

or you could sell the Aluminum heads off, and pick up a cheaper set of Iron L98's, (you should make money off that swap) and then you can run the intake and TBI unit as it was on the 305.

 

I wouldn't advertise that you are contemplating something WAAAY illegal in the State of California about smog i.e. "I have a friend- I know where to get it smogged." Bad call, dude.
Your "friend" may be able to get away with getting your non compliant cars smogged. But he should remind you or at least be reminded of the risks. The fines are VERY stiff not only for your friend but also for his company. If I remember correctly the fine is $10,000- TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. I have seen stores close-down, people lose their jobs and livelyhoods(lose their smog license FOREVER), go to jail and in some case all three!
I'm sorry but this is no laughing matter.
Certainly there is the discussion of what is legal and what one might "get away with". I do not think that here is a place for such a discussion of the latter.
Be carefull!!!!!
The law in California is very simple: If the part does NOT have a
C.A.R.B. number, it's NOT legal. if you are uncertain, check with them, they may still have a toll free telephone number.
California Air Resources Board.

Perhaps private messages are best for certain things.

 

yea your probably right. Okay I won't be a hypocrite and I'll leave that 305 in there. Maybe I should have just done it and keep my secret. I'm gonna research this and see what I can do. Maybe I'll just put in the whole 350 TPI. Anyways, doesn't the L98 alum heads have a crossover in the heads? the TPI manifolds had the EGR in the center so obviously there is a crossover in the head to get exhaust gas. And if that doesnt work, what did the iron L98's come on? are they the heads off a 350 TPI in a IROC?

 

the IRON IROC/TA 5.7 TPI's did have corss overs in the heads.

the Vette AL heads have an external, similar to the Vortec style.

that's why I suggested sliding in the long block from a 5.7 TPI.


but your best bet if you want everything legal I would swap either the whole TPI setup or step up to an LT1 or LS1.

 

yea, thanks guys for your input. I talked to the ARB today and they told me "IF IT DON'T HAVE AN E.O.# YOU CAN'T USE IT." Which led me to think about using either Edelbrock or AFR legal heads for that thing. They did tell me that just because it doesn't have an E.O. # doesn't mean they won't have one in the future.