Ok, please bear with me. I am very new to this and have been doing all kinds of research to get this project off the ground. I am about to buy this engine and need to know what else is needed to get the full 330 HP it's supposed to produce. Is this engine compatable with the TPI, TB, Intact Manifold, connections to the radiator and tranny, etc that's stock in this '88 Trans Am? I'm about to start the work on the vehicle this weekend, 22 Oct and need to be certain prior to spending all these $$$$$. Would it be better and more practable to get the ZZ4 instead? Looking for great advise and an assist on this one.

 

Welcome aboard.

The HO has Vortec heads which are not compatible with stock TPI bases. The ZZ4 has its own issues, the base you have has a slightly different bolt pattern (the angle of the center two bolts on each side), and the ZZ4 heads don't have the exhaust crossover passages used to feed the EGR.

www.sdpc2000.com has a crate motor with Vortec heads and a base available only from them that works with TPI. It puts out about the same power as the ZZ4 with a carb. You'll need aftermarket runners, 52mm TB, and headers to get the advertised power.

TPI isn't a very good power induction system, and upgrades are expensive. If you have to pass emissions, your choices are these expensive upgrades, or a swap to a later system like LT1 or LS1, which requires a complete swap. You could do a used LT1 swap for less than either of those crates would cost you.

If you want to stick with TPI, go with either the SDPC Vortec crate or ZZ4. If you go with the ZZ4, consider an aftermarket base for Vette TPI (same heads as the ZZ4 uses), and for sure get aftermarket runners & headers either way.

 

Thanks for the info. I've been speaking with an individual at fbodymotorsports.com and he advised me about a base plate, Item #E3817 from Edelbrock for $439.95. He further advised me that the intake manifold would fit on top of this base plate so the TB and everything else would work. He also recommended the intake runners for $334.95 and changing out the fuel injectors from the stock 19's to 24's. These items would be used with the 350 HO base for $2389.00. Would these items work as well? I really appreciate the info you provided. I've got one more week before this car goes in the shop so any further assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Again,
Larry

 

You're getting correct information. The unspoken part is you'll end up with an engine that puts out less than 300 HP, when with a carb the same engine puts out 330. What SDPC did with their Vortec TPI is soup it up until it put out as much as the base carb'd engine.

If you're willing to put up with the reduced HP, it'll run fine.

 

DAMN!!!
This is proving to be very EXPENSIVE, going with the SDPC engine with all the accessories needed. But if I want all the HP the engine advertises, I guess I have no choice. This alternative just reduces the $$$$ I have to get other things but, like I said, thanks for all the assist and info.

Peace,
Larry