time to move on to bigger and better things, im done with the 305 tbi (91 RS) and i got a great deal for an 89 IROC 350 TPI so the swap will commence here soon, unbolt lift and drop in and bolt. but what all do i need? can i get it from a junkyard? donor car? a good site with items i can buy that are needed? i read something about a TPI fuel pump is this true? based on it requiring more psi or something. uhhhmm ecm prom knock sensor? i dont even know where these things are, just heard them being expressed around here. a appreciate the help fella's and i hope that its a smooth swapping and good experience.

 

Military? Registered in CA?

If "no" and/or "yes", respectively, you'll need all of the emissions equipment off of a donor car. Technically, the '89 engine/system is not legal in a '91 chassis, but you might get by with it if it looks completely, totally factory. Technically, you'll need a '91-'92 engine/system.

Yes, the TPI in-tank electric fuel pump is different than TBI, unless the pump was changed some time in the past with a TPI or TBI compatible unit.

The knock sensor is screwed into the block coolant drain on the passenger side, just in front of the starter. The module is on the firewall on the '89 system, built into the ECM (from what I understand - no personal knowledge) in the '91 system.

 

yes im military and it is registered in cali but as soon as i get back to SD ill get it registered in texas, even if not, i just got it smoged with everything stock and its not like ill be here very long to GET another smog. so anything goes pretty much...by not legal do you mean visually or via computer? when i bought the car the guy told me he dropped the tank and replaced the fual pump which seems logical because its got over 200K miles and definately gets good fuel pressure, not sure if its compatible though. not too sure what the knock sensor looks like but he did send me pictures so maybe i can post em up and someone can tell me, or ill just ask him. so i need a ECM from that car or off any 350 TPI 3rd gen? same thing with the knock sensor? i hope i can get this stuff if not it looks like ill have to hit up TPI parts for some new stuff, not sure how much all this will be but money is not really an object right now. i just wanna do this swap all at once without having to stop becasue i forgot a part. thanks for the info five7

 

'89 TPI is a one-year-wonder system. '85-'88 used a cold start injector, '90-'92 were speed density vs. the earlier MAF. Any possibility of getting everything from the car the engine came from?

By "legal" I mean Federal and California law. You aren't allowed to put in an engine older than the chassis.

The knock sensor is mounted on the engine passenger side in the water jacket drain hole, just in front of the starter. If you got engine/TPI, most like the sensor is still on the engine. The knock sensor module is part of the harness, mounted on the firewall.

If the fuel pump was replaced with a TBI-specific unit, you'll still need to drop the tank and replace the pump because TPI requires 4-5 times the pressure over TBI.

Has anyone mentioned the TBI exhaust is junk, and should all be replaced?