hey guys i have a 1991 trans am gta with a 350 tpi motor. i was wondering what i should do when that engines dies down? is it easy to drop in a gm crate motor that is carberated? or how can i go about getting a new 350 tpi motor? i know that jasper has remanufactured 350 tpi's. is that a good way to go?

 

better to go with conventional sbc, more heads, and intake options. there is nothing wrong with carb. i run 10's with a holley 750 hp and car runs excellent on the street. i will never build up a tpi engine for racing, but thats just me, its either lsx or sbc

 

Why not rebuild your L98 when its due? Its still just a generic SBC, there will always be parts for them... its not unique, like an LT1 for example.

 

still must use tpi intake bolt pattern heads.
or eliminate the tpi induction altogether and use a efi victor with 90* elbow and use the tpi roller shortblock with good sbc heads.

 

the actual heads have somthing to do with that? how do i go about getting all that stuff. basicaly im just trying to figure out what to do when the engine dies? should i rebuild it or put in a carberated motor

 

First question: Why do you think it's going to "die"? Are you abusing or neglecting it?

I wouldn't go with a rebuilt, especially those that cater to the parts stores and fleet businesses. Not likely to get what you had.

Don't fret over things like heads. As Adam said, rebuild what you've got if and when it needs it. More likely you'll want to upgrade it (cam, head porting, exhaust, etc.) than it "dies".

 

its got 145,000 miles on it lol. im thinking about pulling the tpi off and carberating it

 

If it's received halfway decent maintenance, 145k miles is a long way from "dieing". Valve stem seals is likely all it needs at this point.

I wouldn't go carb, personally, especially for a regular driver. Work with what you've got.

 

thats no miles for a 3rd gen. nothing wrong with a carb, that is set up correct.
prolly get the same mpg with a good carb as the tpi,
but tpi with less power.

 

You aren't going to get more power with a carb with as good as gas mileage as TPI. Pick one or the other.

 

There isn't anything to really be gained by going to a carb if your TPI is working properly. If you were going to a really radical set of heads and a wicked cam, then maybe that would justify the change, but if you aren't going that far, then leave the TPI there, it will work alot better.

 

a properly set up carb, will make more power than a tpi, perhaps not in his case, since the tpi heads, dont flow sufficient to build warrant such.
but if mpg is the concern, then tpi would be the best option for mpg and some street tq.

 

No problem with TPI heads. Unless you are talking about serious upgrades, they'll support good street power.