I'm having a 350 built and was considering putting TPI on the motor but the boys over in the TPI board failed to convince me to do it so I think Ill be sticking with TBI.

Soo, having said that I want a good healthy motor with 300hp or more. How do I get there with TBI?

If anyones got 300+ comming out of their engine please post what youve done to get that.

Oh, small little detail, its gotta stay emissions legal.

 

300hp from a 350 is easy, regardless of what induction you use. just match up you cam/heads/intake like normal and put a upgraded tbi unit on top of it. then you just need a custom prom and you are done.
prevost got a 330hp crate and has gotten soem impressive results from it. the motor was like 2200+ all the other stuff he needed. i think teh whole thing came to under $3000 and that is all with a 3 year 36k mile warranty from gm.

later
tim

 

I dont know what matching heads/cam/intake works well and what doesnt, which was why I was asking for builds hoping I could see some kind of pattern or so.

I was hopeing 300hp was easy, cause I really was looking at the 350hp area, sounds nice ya know? 350 cubes, 350hp, 400+ft/lb torque maybe?

Im not trying to get a particular 1/4 mile time or anything. I just want a car that will keep my excited for a while... the LO3 kept my interest for about an hour.

So, whats everyone whos still emissions legal running? Any dyno numbers to go with it?

 

A 2" 2bbl TBI (454 style) with the fuel pressure bumped a little (~16psi).

RBob.

 

I'm making 317HP@4500 (flywheel) with a tbi 350.
I'll send you an E-mail with details.
-Rich-

 

Will you send me the detail's too please :hail: :hail: :hail:

 

Send me your build, sounds pretty good. Also guess how much you spent on it

 

I'll take a copy of that too, if you don't mind. I just need to know how you set your fuel system up.

 

Put me in line for a copy.

 

I wanna see details too... just post on here so everyone can see ....If its not too much trouble :hail:

 

OK,
After researching the possiblities, by reading posts on this site for a few months, I ended up buying a crate motor to replace the tired 305 in my 92 RS. Ended up getting the "300 HP TPI Long Block" from goautocenter.com. Still it could be easily duplicated with any 350 in good shape and 9 to 1 or higher compression and decent heads. The crate is just a stock Caprice 2 bolt bottom end with TPI heads and an aftermarket cam. The cam they show as the optional TBI cam is the Crane Compucam (Powermax)2030 (hydraulic roller). 204/214 deg dur @.050",.429/.452" lift, 116 deg L/S.(116 deg L/S is what makes it great for tbi)
Since I'm in CA, it had to be smog legal, so I used the Edelbrock Performer TBI Intake, Turbo City Throttle Body and AFPR, 14x3" Moroso Flatbottom Air Cleaner (not smog legal, but easy to replace), SLP 1-5/8" Headers, 3" Catco Cat, 3" Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back.
Originally, I was gonna use the Holley TB, but had heard bad things about their injectors. These problems have been corrected, so If I was to do it again, I'd probably use the Holley.
Pressure's at over 18PSI, so 454 injectors might be better, as you'd require less pressure.
Custom Chip from Ed Wright at Fastchip.com.
Anyway, before installing the motor, I was able to run it on a dyno at my friend's shop. Got 317 HP@4500 and 399 ft/lbs@2500 (Flywheel) with all the smog stuff on it. It passes smog in CA as a 305 (didn't tell them it was bigger as that would complicate things) and though it's no fire-breather, it's a blast to drive now and it's very reliable. So far the motor's got 18,000 miles (since December 2001), I drive it to work every day.
That's about it, nothing special. Like NJ Speeder said, 300 HP from a 350 is easy.
The custom chip isn't cheap ($350), unless you burn your own, but if you really want your setup to run at it's best, it's required.
Ed can get pretty close based on specs, but there's no substitute for tuning it on a dyno.
-Rich-

 

Rich, just out of curiosity, what kind of mileage are you getting?

 

About 16 mpg (mixed-freeway/city) with 3.73 gears and 255-50ZR16's.
-Rich-

 

Sorry guys, last week been a real PITA.

Heres what I know after hooking up with my guy for a bit today.

Engine block is a '70's model as I thought, doesnt bother me. Its been bored .30 over and was honed (that the right word??) to match the pistons perfectly.

Heads are 882's I believe, not entirely sure if thats a good or bad thing. Gonna search the boards for info in a sec.

Hes using a Crane cam, he hasnt decided which yet, but it will be a crane. Suggestions?

Edelbrock intake, performer something I think.

New TB unit, no idea what from, or why I need a new one.

Headman headers, I told him no on Hooker cause of the $$$.

Probably a flowmaster cat-back or something,... totally up to me as to what to get. Suggestions??

Thats about all I remember as far as engine was concerned. Ill have it all on paper come Thursday for sure.
As for the rest of the car....

I have a rebuilt tranny with shift kit and cooler waiting to go in.

Oh, important question... the computer. Hes leaning on leaving it stock, this good/bad? I dont know how it would adjust to having 350 ci instead of 305 ci to feed etc. Do I need to worry about this?

Ive also got to start thinking about colors to paint everything. Since the engine, tranny, and driveshaft are all out I was going to have them and the rear axle painted nicely to match the engine bay and underneath which Im cleaning. I havent a clue what colors though, I dont really want black on the engine. What looks good in/under a teal car??

What other information does everyone need to start giving me HP numbers and/or ideas to make the engine better?

 

RICH-

What other parts on that list did you have to end up buying?

http://www.goautocenter.com/300hp_tpi_1987-89.htm

I read that part about getting the TBI cam, but is there other stuff that I'll need to do this switch?
.......flexplate? ....distributor? ......distributor gear? .....motor mounts? Anything wierd and out of the ordinary?

By the way, I have a LT1 cam already sitting here, would that be a better choice than the TBI cam that they offer?

Thanks,

-The Gunny

 

Alright heres one for you all ...

I have a 350 out of my brothers junked '86 suburban. 2 years ago we took out the engine and had it rebuild and bored .030 over.

Now my question is what will it take to get THAT motor to 300+ horse?

1. New cam ... maybe LT1?
2. Headers ... SLP 1.75's
3. Intake ... open for options
4. Heads ... open for options
5. Chip ... custom chip

the rest of the goodies would be off the 'ol LO3. Anyone see any problems? What do you think this motor can put out?

KZad

 

OH, and the above combo would be with a 5 spd and possibly 3.73 posi as well. If not the posi then would have to be the stock 3.08 open.

 

Just the TBI cam, which is the Crane Compucam 2030 HR.
I've been real happy with the compucam.
Although , I haven't had experience with the LT1 cam personally, I hear it's a good upgrade from stock. I have a manual trans, so I ended up with the Hayes #10-530 Billet Steel, 30LB flywheel ($229 at Summit), an Accel Billetech Distributor (just because mine was worn out) and Moroso Solid Steel Motor Mounts and Trans Mount (because I use them on all my vehicles, stock ones fit fine, but I prefer not having to replace them).

You will need a chip to get the most out of it, and an adjustable fuel pressure regulator.

-Rich-

 

TTT

 

Well I cant help with the emissions legal but im with rich92rs 317@ rear wheels!! see sig. But rich... from what you said you bought, it looks like I spent half the money and got the same thing...

 

since you guys are on this topic. This spring i want to put the 330 hp vortec motor in my tbi but now reading what Rich did with the 300 hp motor i am thinking about doing that. What do you guys think would be better? The 330 vortec or the 300 tpi with the roller cam?

 

275hp@4800rpm at the rear wheels with 347lbft@3800rpm at the rear wheels. Using a 350CID with:
Xfire manifold /2.13"TB's/heads/cam/headers and all emissions operative. Translates into about 340hp at the crank with 430lbft. So as NJ Speeder says, it can be done.

 

vortec crate motor= 330hp and a 3year/36k mile warranty for 2200+ abotu 500-600 in other parts to complete the perfect install.
there are also a dew guys with chips already developed fo rth evortech motor and it is a proven commodity.
what rich is suggesting is a perfectly solid engien and will cost prolly $400- 500 less to complete the swap, but you woudl have a noticable amount less power.
i guess teh key is to ask yourself if another 30hp is worth $400 to you. about $13 per hp gained sounds nice to me. especially since prevost already proved with his swap that a halfway tuned vortec 300 will make it's advertised hp with tbi on top of it.

later
tim

 

I agree.
The main reason I didn't do the 330HP Vortec in mine was, at the time, there was no vortec tbi intake, and then there's the issue of retaining the egr via the tube welded to the header on the passenger side, and I'm in CA, so it needs to have all the smog stuff.
Now that there are vortec tbi and tpi intakes available, I think it's a very nice upgrade for any thirdgens. I may upgrade to vortec heads next summer,as my friend at the gmc dealership has about a dozen pairs stashed away.
-Rich-

 

OK guys thanks for the info. Now i have to start saving my money so i can do the swap in the spring.
Where can i get the custom chip they are bruning for these motors NJ?

 

Hey guys,
I have a 91 RS camaro with a 305tbi(its got exhaust,chip and air filter)My uncle has a 350 in his jag. Its def. pushin over 300hp and it has a HUUUGE cam.He has the motor and tranny(700r4 built) to go with it.I was wondering what i would need to Keep the TBI unit on their becuase i want it to look like a stock 305.(it has 305 tpi heads with modded(shorter) springs)I would like to know every detail..if possible for things that i would need.Thanks

 

since this is all about motors. and what not. what do you think about running a 010 block( 4 bolt main, 30 over) with a set of 350 tpi heads, a tbi unit from a 305 with 350 injecters.a healthy cam. aroun 488/500. think i could work 350 hp out of that setup?i would really like to run the tbi set up and keep the motor as stock looking as possible. i have the block and rotating assembly minus heads. im not sure of the cam you could run with the 350 tpi heads. im getting a loan for 1500 so thats my budget. plus the tranny (700r4) is getting a shift kit. and the rear end a posi unit from a 4th gen and 3.42 gears. i think 350 hp with 1000 is practical? i have the block, just mainly need the heads and cam.

 

too much cam for stock heads, will hit the valve guides

 

Wow....this post still lives!

 

Atleast that means someone is using the search feature.

 

I'm glad this thread got a bump. I've been trying to remember what my cam specs were for several years now since I had it ground back in 1997. Gods I'm old lol . . .

 

could you email me a build sheet on that 317hp

 

You do realize that post is from 21 years ago. It is important to look at the dates of the thread and posts...jus sayin'.

 

Pretty much an L98 crate with a 2030 or GM9446 cam. 18psi fuel pressure. 3in exhaust with headers. I done the same thing except the stock L98 cam witha bit better pistons and a lil headwork, and a bored 46mm TBI. Runs really strong for a TBI engine I would say easy 275+hp