Hey all, I'm in the market of building a new motor soon. Essentially looking for a budget build, but I'm not sure where to go at this point. Right now I have a 1987 Trans Am GTA which is an original 305 tpi , 5 speed car. I will be keeping the 5 speed no matter where the build goes so keep that in mind.

First of all I'm not sure if I want to go 350 tpi, or 350 carb. I jumped the gun on some parts, so here is what I have for a potential build. Pro comp 190cc heads with 68cc chambers. A full tpi setup that I was looking into porting and siamesing, and a walbro/Racetronix 255lph fuel pump kit. My initial thought was that I wanted to stay tuned port, but my dilemma is this, from all of my research there IS NO PROM TUNE CAPABLE OF A 350 TPI 5 SPEED. (If there is please correct me, and point me in the direction of who can tune it for me).

Secondly, I'd like to keep the motor at a conservative 350 HP. (And I apologize, I have so many questions) what is a good cam duration? Something very streetable, as this is my daily driver. Cam recommendation for a 350 TPI, what about a 350 carb setup? I'm leaning towards a carberated build, so if anyone can point me in the right direction of cam, intake, and carb setup, it'd be awesome.

Thirdly, I know I seem very confused about my build, and it's because I am. I'm here basically because I want someone to extend some knowledge my way. I love the idea of driving a tpi and beating some new age muscle, and blowing people's minds. But I also like the simplicity of a carb build. Someone please she'd some light. And to battle your first comment, I have done endless searching on this subject, I just want some first hand experience answers.

 

The 190 heads are a mismatch for a TPI 350, but separate from that, if you want a stock chip for a T5 behind a stock TPI 350, the '89-'91 'vette chip doesn't need the ZF so long as you keep a VSS. But in '88 guys were combining the LB9 chip with the L98 injectors and an AFPR.

 

That's good news and bad, the heads cost me a pretty penny. Which is not too upsetting I guess, considering I can sell them and get something different. What type of heads should I be looking for? And that's good news about the tpi being an option but what do you mean by as long as I keep a VSS? I'm not sure what that means.

 

For a carb setup.. Push compression up around 10:1 using 5cc flat top pistons and .015" gaskets.

218/230* @ .050" cam

Performer RPM intake
600-670 cfm carb

3.23-3.73 gears

Your pro comp heads

 

I have a 600 cfm holley I can rebuild, will that be sufficient?
And should I use my walbro pump and a regulator? Or just run a mechanical pump?

 

Yes the 600 cfm holley will be perfect. If your walbro 255 is already installed use it and run a regulator on it. Easier than pulling that pump back out.

If it's not installed yet. I would sell it off and run a mechanical pump. Cheaper and much easier to replace than the in tank elec. one, plus will last many times longer before needing to be replaced.