I was wondering what year of a 350 should I look for? I can get a 78 350 complete engine for a $100. What years will all my tpi stuff bolt back on to?

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85 305tpi Trans am
flowmaster exaust
K&N air filter, 4:11 rear gears
Best 1/8mile 9.842@71.1mph
2.232 60ft.

 

Anything up to '86. Except your flexplate won't bolt to an '86 (but you weren't asking about that, just the TPI).

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. 2-1/2" cat-back, ZZ3 intake, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 CC system w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam, ported World 305 heads, Hooker 2055 headers, 3" Catco cat & 3" catback, restalled TC, Spohn SFCs).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Holley 750VS w/4150 conversion, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).

 

What about the hei distributor stuff? Will it all switch over? I know I'll need the new knock sensor and bigger fuel injectors. I want to run 12's w/my setup.

Any help would be great or articles on how to do it.

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85 305tpi Trans am
flowmaster exaust
K&N air filter, 4:11 rear gears
Best 1/8mile 9.842@71.1mph
2.232 60ft.

 

Yes, everything will bolt to that engine.

I seriously doubt a $100 1978 350 is going to get you into the 12's. Maybe a $3000 built up 1978 350, but...

Don't waste your money on bigger injectors. That engine isn't going to need it. Get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator instead. After you've spent the $3000 on the base engine, then you can spend the next $2000 on the TPI stuff to get you into the 12's, including the bigger injectors. Don't forget the $1500 tranny, $1500 in suspension upgrades, $2000 on rear end upgrades...