I got a 88 Trans Am. Its 305 TPI auto. My plan is to put a mid 70s 400 into it. The car needs to be streetable. I am wanting to run the TPI, I don't want to use vortec heads because of my budget. I need some help with what cam and heads to run along with any computer mods. I am a college student trying to keep my budget low as possible.

Thanks

 

Stock TPI has difficulty feeding a 305, let alone a 350, 383, or 400.

The Holley/Weiand Stealth Ram is a great way to go. Cheaper than any other TPI upgrade hardware, and works great. Available in original or extra crispy - uh, Vortec.

L98 heads would serve a mild 400 okay. Otherwise, you really can't beat Vortecs for the performance/$.

A Comp XE268 would do the engine and TPI well.

 

What about the Alum. Corvette heads?

 

The vette heads are basically the same as the L98 iron heads, just lighter and they're more expensive to pick up used. And as was said by five7kid, TPI is going to choke out your 400, shoot 350's fall on thier face past 4500 with a stock set up. However you could upgrade the lower manifold and pick up some runners (SLP, ASM, theyre all better than stock) and make stupid torque. Could use a little nitrous so it actually will pull at the top end

 

The 4500 RPM thing has more to do with the length of the runners than flow capability.

Either the aftermarket base or the runners is going to cost more than the Stealth Ram, which is complete.