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swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

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Old May 2, 2012 | 09:08 AM
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swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Hi.

It are probably a lot of threads of this topics but i jsut wonder what the biggest difference is between lt1 and 350 tpi? is it worth the time and money for maybe the little extra hp? or should i get new heads,headers ect to the 350 tpi instead?
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Old May 2, 2012 | 04:26 PM
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Differences:

LT1 has better heads, cam, induction system.

The "worth it" question is dependent upon several things, such as how you use the car, the condition of the TPI engine, whether you can do the swap yourself or would have to have a shop do it, your budget, etc.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 04:30 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Originally Posted by five7kid
Differences:

LT1 has better heads, cam, induction system.

The "worth it" question is dependent upon several things, such as how you use the car, the condition of the TPI engine, whether you can do the swap yourself or would have to have a shop do it, your budget, etc.

OKey. maybe it is worth it anyway. I can do everything my self so thats no a problem. if i choose the swap. do you know if a can use the camaro stock headers or do i need "special"?
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Old May 2, 2012 | 04:45 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

I did the swap and I used the same camaro headers. piece of cake!!
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Old May 2, 2012 | 04:48 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Originally Posted by Arttyscamaro
I did the swap and I used the same camaro headers. piece of cake!!
only sounds better and better. sounds easier to install the lt-1 engine than ls1
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Old May 2, 2012 | 05:02 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

When I did the swap I used a corvette LT1 NOT a camaro or impala LT1 because the ac bracket will hit the bottom of the engine cross member. this will prevent the engine to sit right, or you can remove the AC from the engine.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 05:08 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Originally Posted by Arttyscamaro
When I did the swap I used a corvette LT1 NOT a camaro or impala LT1 because the ac bracket will hit the bottom of the engine cross member. this will prevent the engine to sit right, or you can remove the AC from the engine.
okey. if i´ll buy a lt1 i´m gonna use sphon k-member or some other brand. so the corvette lt1 is better to use if a want the ac?
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Old May 2, 2012 | 06:00 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

if you were going to use the original k member then the corvette lt1 would be the one to get, but since you are using a different k member then i guess it dont matter what engine you get.. I am not familiar with that k member.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 06:05 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Originally Posted by Arttyscamaro
if you were going to use the original k member then the corvette lt1 would be the one to get, but since you are using a different k member then i guess it dont matter what engine you get.. I am not familiar with that k member.

oh sorry, i didn´t know what i thought. i meant this: http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...tormounts.aspx
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Old May 2, 2012 | 06:07 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Originally Posted by five7kid
Differences:

LT1 has better heads, cam, induction system.

The "worth it" question is dependent upon several things, such as how you use the car, the condition of the TPI engine, whether you can do the swap yourself or would have to have a shop do it, your budget, etc.

when you say induction system what do you mean exactly? Intake manifold, throttle body, heads?
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Old May 2, 2012 | 06:14 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Originally Posted by evo-offer
when you say induction system what do you mean exactly? Intake manifold, throttle body, heads?
Thats pretty cool!!!
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Old May 2, 2012 | 06:19 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

i´ll do that. just one more question. is it possible to take an lt1 intake manifold an put it on the tpi?

i´ve got my answer on the intake about lt1 . i´m gonna do a a search about the lt1 engine an see how much it is better. thanks for your help for now

Last edited by evo-offer; May 2, 2012 at 06:22 PM.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 06:47 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

Originally Posted by evo-offer
i´ll do that. just one more question. is it possible to take an lt1 intake manifold an put it on the tpi?

i´ve got my answer on the intake about lt1 . i´m gonna do a a search about the lt1 engine an see how much it is better. thanks for your help for now
No LT1 and tpi intake are different, tpi has distributor in back of the engine thru the intake. LT1 has distributor on front of engine underneath the water pump.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 10:54 PM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

You CAN swap on an LT1 intake, but you will need to have it modified for the distributor, its been done many times before. Cooling mods need to be done as well.

You can also run the f-body setup and retain a/c. You will need to use a normal sbc passenger side motor mount and mod it slightly. See Firebat if you need hoses made.

Last edited by WhiteBlaze; May 3, 2012 at 03:35 PM.
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Old May 3, 2012 | 10:36 AM
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Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

okey. sounds easier to just swap to a lt1 instead.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 10:56 PM
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From: Hinesville, GA USA
Car: '86 IROC-Z/'94 Z28
Engine: 350 LT1/382 LT1
Transmission: 4L60-E/T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.45/3.42 (soon 4.10)
Re: swap a 350 tpi to a lt1 engine. worth it?

LT1's have more HP potential dollar for dollar than the TPI engines. TPI engines are better suited for people who enjoy torque and driveability whose driving style doesnt have them spinning lots of rpm. LT1's have better cooling systems and charging systems, and require less money for performance parts since they have better parts from the factory.

LT1's are more of a 'bolt in' than LS1's but have less potential as well. I prefer the LTx when money and difficulty are a factor. But hey, LSx engines are cool too. Pick your poison!

BTW you can use the LTx f-body engine and accessories, but you need custom hoses and either knock in the crossmember with a torch or do as I did and notch it and weld in a recess to clear the compressor. Gives it a more professional look to me.

I love 'em all. They all have their own place depending on your goals if you ask me. Im doing an LTx next with a tpi intake ( yes thats correct)
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