I've debated now for awhile about just swapping a tpi into the rs...that would be the easy way out, i want to try and make a quick tbi so heres what i'm pondering. All parts probaly wont be put together at once, more as the budget allows

finding a 350 block and doing it to a 355
Having the stock heads done
1.6 roller rockers
edelbrock tbi manifold
custom chip

I take it swapping out the blocks is teh same as most small blocks, everything bolts up top end wise, so i imagine i would have to upgrade the fuel pump and go with 350 injectors.

Its not a huge power maker so far but i figure swappign the blocks will give me a good foundation later for more top end mods.

Whats the verdict, it has to stay emmissions legal and work with all my factory sennsors

 

Now, I'm no expert on building high performance TBI systems (yet), but the only thing that I wouldn't do is keep the stock heads. Just read the sticky on the top "Swirl Port Heads and Why They Have To Go" or something like that. I couldn't tell you what heads to get, but the stockers just plain suck. As long as the car is tuned properly with a custom chip, than it shouldn't be a problem passing emissions.

When you say "custom" chip, are you talking about DIY, the guy at TBIchips.com, or what? I'm just curious. And, yes, swapping out the blocks is pretty much the same as any SBC swap.

 

IMO, DIY Prom tuning :hail: is the way to go.

 

It wouldnt be the diy prom burning, started reading about it and its way over my head, speed innovators out here in colorado does teh chips and tuning on alot of teh cars we've done and they do real good work.

Changed my mind again this morning now i'm again considering doing the entire 350 tpi swap, but nothing is set in stone yet

 

what kind of power and what kind of budget are you looking at?

 

Well for now i'd like to get somewhere around 250-275 and on a pretty tight budget for now. I figure if i get a nice tight bottom end in there it will give me a better foundation for swapping in a stealth ram or stuff like that in the future.

I think i need to get this thing dynoed first and see what numbers i'm looking at now, to see how acheivable a 250-275hp number really is.

 

If your on a really tight budget consider using a carb. Im a big fan of tbi and spent a few years hot rodding them, but for cheap hp you cant beat a carb. Honestly you will be dissapointed with a tbi setup until you spend a fair amount of time and money tuning it.

I have 2 grand total into my car, including the car, new engine, clutch, lots of new parts and it makes a good 300hp.

pics
http://sneakweasel.freeservers.com/

[edit]
I should also add i ran an identicle engine setup under a crossfire. Even with the larger cam the crossfire made power from idle to 4000. Under a carb the power is from 3500-5500. Clearly showing what a restriction these things are in stock form.

Then again i miss my fuel injection. I wish i could afford a stealth ram.

 

If money is no object and you want a good amount of hp then consider

350 swap w/ 7747or8746 ecm
vortec heads
rpm air gap
454 tb w/ ult tbi mods & spacer
XE274 cam kit
burn a chip

thats a 360-400 hp setup (depending on tuning) and itll run a solid 12 sec 1/4

 

Ive been following your posts. Is there anyone here actually making 360-400hp with a tbi setup? Last time I checked I thought there was a massive problem with fuel delivery.

I just read anther post about a guys "monster engine" everyone guessed it would make 220-240 rwhp. It made 122. Does that tell you something about a 400hp tbi motor.

Its not easy to do.

 

i know of a couple guys with 350+ hp TBI setups. TBI is good up to at least 380 hp. Im saying why not shoot for 400. Im wondering if anyone has done it, im trying for a 380-400hp setup with:

Vortecs- machined for higher lift, 5 angle valve job, and 2.02/1.6 ported

Edel RPM air gap intake

a 2" bored TBI

XE274 cam

That setup runs 12.3 1/4 miles with a carb on top so why not see how well a tbi will stick with it...on top of all that its such a cheap setup, especially if you already have gears, pump, stall, exhaust and what not.
(Your talking less than $1000 for the whole top end)

 

You see the problem with your argument right? I havent followed the tbi board much since i sold my crossfire but last time i was around there was a problem with the injectors going static being un able to deliver much over 320hp. Was this ever resolved?

[edit] yeah i was right, do a search for "fastest" the fastest cars are making just over 300hp and are running high 13's

 

Problem i have with the vortec heads is they are not emmissions compatable in colorado. I was considering those.


I have spent the last few days spending tons of hours researching everything on tbi and tpi setups i could find and comparing them for price and power. I have now found you cannot use the 305 heads on a 350 block as apparently it ups the compression severely, manifolds are a serious restriction. I've come to the conclusion to get a 305 up to 300 hp and the right combo for a blower.....Its not gonna happen. I have always wanted to be the innovator of the tbi's kinda thing and wanted to show people that you can make a fast tbi. But the fast tbi is no where near the fast tpi. Even if i get it to 300 hp a bone stock 91 vette with a tpi will blow my doors off.

So i started looking at tpi power and what power i can make for a good price, then an old hockey coach i had calls me out of the blue that a guy he works with is selling an entire long block with a tpi setup. He had built it for an s10 but after his hopped up dually was stolen and stripped he said "whats the point of building something cool for it to get taken" So he sold the s10, held onto the motor for about 6 months and wants to clear some space, 2200 bucks for a brand new built 350 tpi with all the high flow runner, manifold, heads the whole nine yards. I havent seen it yet but apparently it was built for 450hp, is all chrome and basically show ready with all teh ecm and harnesses for 2200, i was figuring about 2500 worth of work to get my tbi up to 275-300 range.

So hopefully within the next few months i will be swapping to the tbi boards.

Dang, thats kinda long, sorry about the long read

 

You mean your switching to the TPI boards?

Anywho let me know how that swap goes. Ive gone through the same thing you have pretty much where the LT4 motor I could have had or TPI looks a lot better than fussing with a 300hp tbi.

So he sold you a complete 450hp motor for $2200? what a steal