So I just purchased a roller 89 formula. Originally a 350 tpi auto with the BW 9 bolt.

I'm not sure what I'm looking to do just yet as far as motor wise. I either want a tpi put back in or stay completely away from FI/electronic stuff.

Can tpi's make decent power and get respectible times? I always hear negatives about them from v6, lt/ls1 forums.

I used to have an 87 GTA but I was young and didnt have it long enough to really mod it.

If not tpi, I was thinking a carbed/built 350 but not sure what to go with trans wise and potentially rear end wise also. I've heard of many problems with 700r4's not shifting in non electronic cars. My 87 even had shifting problems.

Thoughts?
Thanks.

 

One question to ask is what do you want the car to do, be a DD, a street/strip, or full on racecar?

 

I plan to make it a weekend warrior. Full weight(or close to it) and keep it nearly original as far as cosmetics.

I have a DD (my '96)so mileage isnt a big issue but I dont want it to drink the gas either. Premium isnt cheap, lol.

I have the entire setup out of my 87 GTA as far as motor/trans but I dont want to use it if I cant make good power. If not tpi I would use the block though which leads to my next question:

Can you use a flat tappet(sp?) cam in these motors or do you have to stay roller?

 

Only a problem if the TCC lock-up isn't used, which creates excessive heat, which burns out the 3-4 clutch pack. Just hook up the TCC lock-up for cruising, and it'll be fine (assuming the TV cable is hooked up properly as well).

Have you considered LS1? Awesome power potential.

 

Sure. The factory used the same block castings in trucks, and never put roller lifters in them.

I'd stay roller, personally.

 

Ahh so thats it. I always wondered why it did that. My dad's 72 camaro did the same thing, wouldnt shift from 1-2 w/out letting off. My 87 did the same thing but not as bad.

How would you go by using this "TV cable" on a non electronic car? Btw what is a TV cable? lol I'm a newb to the 3rd gen as far as actually modding the drivetrain.

As far as the Ls1, There a great motor no doubt but the price to convert is a bit more than I wanna spend to go fast. Just headers for a conversion car is like 1k$ from hawks. Thats insanely expensive, IMO.

Plus I didnt really wanna get into the whole needing 700$ tuning software to tune it everytime I do something new to it.

I just think it doesnt take 3-5k$ for the traditional SBC to make big power and get just as good a numbers as an ls1. *shrug*

I dont make enough $ for the high tech stuff.

 

The electronics don't have anything to do with controlling a TH700 except for the TCC (and that can be done without electronics). The automatic shifting is old-school mechanical stuff. The throttle valve cable is connected to the throttle shaft (surprise, surprise) and basically tells the transmission, along with engine RPM (the governor), when to shift and how hard to make the shift. It does what the vacuum modulator does on the TH350 and TH400 transmissions. The throttle valve is a vital function for the TH700, and not being properly adjusted, or not having the proper geometry on the throttle shaft, will mess up the transmission.

 

Ah ok.

So what would need to be done to the 700r4 as far as getting the best out of it? Basic things like the TV cable and everything being properly setup, shiftkit?

Probably wont need it built up for crazy power or anything, just need it to withstand decent power. Maybe around 400ish (bhp)give or take.

Engine wise, which would be easiest, possibly cheaper to make alot of power? SBC 350 or the TPI 350? Thats pretty much what it's gonna come down to choice wise for this car.

 

TPI can make decent power but aftermarket intake systems like the FIRST, Stealth Ram, Super Ram and Mini-Ram are going to provide the best power and performance.

 

I've heard of the ram's(arent they expensive? lol) but the FIRST I'm not too familiar with.

I take it with any of those you would have to upgrade injectors and will have to have the ecu tuned?

EDIT: Did some checking and the ram for tpi's actually arent too bad price wise. It maybe cheaper easier for me to just throw the tpi back in(after rebuild) and eventually upgrade to the ram.