Jason E

As some of you know, I'm beginning to do research and parts collecting for a V8 swap for my '89 RS 2.8. The question I have relates to the SOTP difference of a basic TBI vs TPI car.

I've been debating whether I wanna go the stock, resto route with a 305 TBI and a few bolt ons (SLP headers/cat back, JET blueprinted TBI assembly), or whether I should say the hell with originality and do a TPI. The question I have is, I've never driven a 305 TBI...as a matter of fact, the ONLY V8 third gen I have driven was a 217k mile LG4 '86 T/A!!!

This car will never reach the track, and will be a daily driver. All I want is something with decent power, and a nice sound to it. Can I accomplish a nice driver with some kick to it going with a very mild 305 TBI?? Or am I going to end up really dissapointed? I may own an LT1, but I am not a power freak. I'd just like to be able to burn a little rubber every now and then.

Any opinions are really appreciated!!

------------------
Jason E

'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Medium Grey Metallic
2.8, A4, T-tops, 90k miles

'97 Z28 w/30th Anniversary package
LT1 (obviously), 6 speed, t-tops
White with orange stripes, killer system, 41k miles

Speed Kills...Wanna live forever? Drive a Ford.
Long Live #3...

Jason E

btt

Brian92RS

I have a 92 rs with the 305 tbi. It has a good lowend feel, but trust me it feels much faster than it actually is. These cars run mid 16 second quarter mile times stock....

Ever since I bought this car I've been trying to come up with a solution for more power. The only options seem to be either swapping in a bigger motor (350) or just getting a different car. The 305 tbi motor is a total DOG!

Try to find a car with TPI. It's much better for performance and can be modified to feed a beast of a motor.

NTChrist

I'd have to disagree. He's right about the times, mid 16's are common with an inexperienced driver, and poorly tuned TBI. But I think that with the mods you listed, low 15's wouldn't be a problem. There are TBI guys in the low 13's and nobody's really even trying hard. Personally, I'd recommend the TBI for your needs. Yeah, TPI can be modded for more power, but how fast do you want to spend, if you get my meaning. My TBI sounds really nice, has an array of cheap, mild bolt-ons, and is good at painting dark patches.

------------------
No guts, no glory.

JPrevost

I wish I could post some times. People need to understand that TBI came on big blocks....so it's not like they're the worst intake system ever made!
When done right it's just like a carb but with a nice idle, great gas milage (I'm at 27mpg), great power curve, still looks like carb, uses carb intakes (w/adaptor plate), is cheaper and easier to program eproms for!, and simply kicks as$. I'm very glad I kept TBI, I paid $3000 for a complete 350 swap with new TBI intake system parts! I'm making at least 320hp at crank right now from a 330hp engine so there is still a little tuning left for me to do. Oh yeah, and if something brakes: it can be fixed for next to nothing, heck, if the injectors go bad then you are an exception.
TBI is great, L03 is ****. The L03 is what I like to call the "low output '3' " from factory. It had swirl port heads!!!!!! That's a dead give away, then I could talk about the stock cam, the stock intake design problems, exhaust system was smaller than 305 TPI cars, it just got the left overs from GMs parts bin.
If I were going to buy a car again I would definatly get the L03 TBI RS....cheaper insurance than z28, cheaper to buy, easy efi system ready for a huge engine swap .

------------------
, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

Jason E

To add fuel to the fire, a stock 305 TBI should be running 15.5-15.7s. At least that's what road tests pegged them at when new.

As for the swap, I am not after a 1/4 mile burner. I want something with decent torque, reliability, and a swap that won't break the bank. Plus, as I said, I like originality. I guess my question is this...how much different in day to day driving does a TPI feel vs a TBI? If I'm not comparing them to a stopwatch, and I want a clean, original-type car, is TBI ok for a solid daily driver?

NTChrist

Go with the TBI. JPrevost said everything relavant in the last post. If you have specific questions, there's plenty of helpful people on the TBI board.
Good luck.

------------------
No guts, no glory.

RSCamaroGuy92

Here's the numbers when it all comes down to STOCK motors.

Ci. injector HP 1/4mi times (professional driver)
- 305 TBI 180 15.9
- 305HO TBI 210 15.5
- 305 TPI 200 15.7
- 305HO TPI 230 15.3

Figure to add another 20-30 horse for each combo on a 350

**** (HO) is the High Output motor *****

TUNE PORT is nice if you want HIGH VOLOCITY FUEL INHAILLATION
IT IS ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE IN COMPARISON.
IF you want a daily driver and good power, the TBI is plenty for what you want. The 350 will sound great and perform nicely with a stock setup and a TBI. The 305 is peppy too, but there truely is "No substitute for cubic inches". The 350 will also be cheaper to purchase, usually.