I am about to get a '90 RS with 305(I think) TBI, and I also have a choice of a '89 IROC with a 350 TPI. Since I'm new to this I would really appreciate if one of the experts could tell me the pros and cons of TBI (I'm leaning towards TBI RS cause its 2,000$ cheaper then the IROC)

Plz no "Take the IROC, u stupid?" responses.
I would really appreciate some serious answers form people who know what they are doing, Thx

PS: I would definetely take the IROC if I just had a little bit more money

 

you are going to have to mod the rs substantially just to match what that iroc runs

its a 305 with a small cam and crappy heads and crappy exhaust and crappy intake manifold... lots of crap other than that too

 

i bought my rs because i liked the way it looked and the price tag. if i would've done some studying like you i MIGHT of waited and bought and z28 or iroc. but not saying i am not happy with my car.

a tbi has its advantages though with less parts to break then the tpi and easily tunable but as for better comparisons you should wait for replys from someone like kevin91z to reply who has experience with both. i am going to drop a 350 in my camaro in a year and lay the smack down on many tpi cars so tbi does have potential its the lo3 that sucks. do a search and learn some you'll learn alot.
Shawn

 

I have experience with both

TPI is probably a little more expensive to mod. Ultimately to equal what you would could do with tBI airflow wise youd end up just keeping the mpfi stuff and ditching the tpi unit

[This message has been edited by Pablo (edited April 12, 2001).]

 

IROC holds better value than RS. When most people hear RS they dont think outstanding performance, but IROC has that reputation to a certain extent. Save up the extra cash or take a loan and get the IROC, I wish I had does it than buy the TBI

------------------
89 camaro 305 tbi, flomaster 3 chamber cat back, gutted cat, Edlebrock open element, and a 160 degree T-stat. 2 kicker comp 12"'s, polk for the rest. Phoenix gold xs2300 to subs, kicker impulse 404XI to 4 speakers, pioneer DEH- P7000R head unit, and finally a 12 disc changer. Full leather interior from [URL=http://www.MrMikes.com[/URL](its nice)

TES Headers in the mail, and about to order a stage 2 fastchip.

 

Well, when it comes to GMs TBI that they put on Camaros and Firebirds, there really is only one pro: it's cheaper.

As far as the cons go, GMs TBI only flows around 450 CFM, and that's not enought to feed a 305, that alone a 350 if you decide to drop one in later. Furthermore, GM put crappy cams and low flowing heads on the 305 TBI cars, that's why they're rated at only 170 hp! Furthermore, if you buy the TBI car you'll be getting a 305. This engine has a smaller bore than then 350 and will ultimately limit your head choices and available valve size, which in the end, will limit performance. Not to mention the fac that the 350 starts off with 45 more cubes, and cubes equals power.

With the TPI car, you'll have a fuel injection system that is considered much better for high performance use, plus you'll have a 350 which is a great starting point for a performance engine build. The aftermarket has really adopted the 350s and TPI, and you'll find a much wider range of options available to you if you buy the 350 TPI car. Not to mention, you'll be starting out with 240 hp.

If I were you, I'd try for the 350 TPI (I have a 305 TBI). I understand that money talks, and a 305 TBI Camaro is definetaly better than no Camaro, but the 350 TPI will outperform it and will be easier to upgrade in the future. However, if you're stuck wit the 305 TBI, don't worry, it can still be made to make over 300 hp, it'll just take some Vette heads, intake, cam, full exhaust, and a Holley or GM 2" TBI unit.

Hope this helps, any questions just ask

Jason

[This message has been edited by 89BlwnRs (edited April 13, 2001).]

 

Thx a lot 89Blwn, that really helped me out, and just about put the nail in the coffin on the TBI RS. I am gonna put out the extra $$$ (its really only 0.5-1K more) and get an IROC if I can find it.

Thx

 

that was quick.

do your own analysis. cost vs looks maybe.

on of the only reasons i havent traded my rs for another camaro is because.
A. INSURANCE.
B. A cheaper camaro i could find usually doesnt have the new gfx style with the vents infront of the wheels
C. DID I MENTION INSURANCE. have you checked out how much $$ you can save by getting a weak rs, and transforming it, rather than buying a nice z28 or iroc. you wont have $ left over to mod it. If i were going to be buying a thirdgen right now. i would still choose a 92 rs. my insurance is 150 a month. it would be 400 a month if i had a 350z28, or iroc.

 

I like my RS bought it new had it for 11 years the RS has 220,2xx miles on it. No engine work. No transmission work.

I've wished many times I'd spent the extra money and got a TPI 350, I could have, I just didn't want to spend the extra cash. Was a mistake.

The other good thing about TBI is most of the parts are cheap!

The RS can pretty much hold it's own in the handling department with good tires, if it's an F41 suspension car with the 16inch rims.

The 16 inch rims require the tires to be dismounted and remounted when they are rotated and this cost extra. This is true for all 3rd Gens with 16inch factory rims.

 

One thing to consider would be the shape of the car itself. I would not even consider trading my 89 RS for a ragged out beat up IROC or Z28. Unfortunately, our cars can get real ragged, real quick!! The dash pads are usually cracked, the arm rests suck, the seats in most 10 yr old thirdgens are trash, and T tops cars by now are leaking. I'm just saying don't buy a ragged IROC or Z28 just because it's an IROC or a Z28, buy a nice car. If you have the means, buy a 350 TPI car in good shape. There's not much more advantage in a 305 TPI car other than the induction, better heads and cam, and suspension. The bottom line is MOST LIKELY, in a short while, you'll be looking for a 350 anyway, which will cost you more buying/building one and putting in your car than getting one with a L98 already. I personally would try to get a 91-92 Z28 with 350 TPI, because I like the revised the interior groung FX and interior in these cars, plus they're a little newer and usually in better shape. I bought my car for $2200 with a 2 yr old 23K crate motor(LO3), perfect body, fully optioned and a flawless interior. It was a female driven well cared for car and it was a hardtop car which is one of the reasons I didn't buy any of the IROC's or Z28's I found before I bought this car. This car was the nicest 3rd I found for sale, and I have no regrets buying it because its a better car than most I saw, and its worth it to me to make it perform and handle better.

------------------
82 Z28 350, Ported #882 Heads, Performer RPM cam and intake, hedman headers,650 Demon carb,
Trans: Turbo 350 w/ 4000 stall -- Rearend 7.5 w/ Richmond 4.10's, Auburn Minispool
Best ET: 12.52@107.2
Future plans: Dart headed, Roller cammed 383 in early '01


89 RS, L03 305, Hypertech Chip,cat delete, Dynomax exhaust,K&N open element Filter,160 stat, MSD coil --Trans:700R4 Corvette Servo -- Rearend: 7.5 GM 3.42 w/ posi-lock
New Best ET: 14.91 @92.9
Bassett Racing
Mid Atlantic F Body -82 Z28 Page

R.I.P. Dale Earnhardt #3

 

I say it depends on what your looking for and what you want.

I looked at several TBI and TPI camaro's and firebirds before I settled on my 88. I liked the color scheme and the look and the 305 had some pep to it getting me around town. I'm not out after a super fast car, I just wanted a nice looking F-body and thats just what I got.

The TBI is cheaper in cost of the car and insurance. Plus the 305 is a very reliable engine and gets good mileage.

Would I like a 350? Yea, but I'd be happy with 250-275hp without having to yank out the engine and redoing the computer. And I think that hp is easily obtainable with the 305.

Reguardless of what I have under the hood, my car looks and sounds great and every day there is always someone wanting to race me (though I don't street race much anymore, took too long to get a clean record lol).


------------------
EVILFACE

88 Camaro
Stock 305 TBI Auto,Flowmaster, Full 3" Exhaust, B&M Megashifter
Runs A Blistering 16.5 @ 81.5 mph

http://www.evilface.com/evilscamaro.htm

 

the thing that steered me towards an rs instead of buying a z28 that i was looking at around the same time was insurance. an iroc or z28 is classified as a sports car, where as an rs is classified as a compact by many insurance companies because the base motor is not a v8.
pablo is also right about the performance of the 2 cars. the z will be much faster and it will come with a better suspension. the price of intake parts is much higher, usually at least double if not triple. but common stuff like chips, exhaust, gears cost the same for both. if you get the L98 car you can expect to pull a mid to low 14 depending on the options and condition of the car. with common mods you can easily get into the 13's.

lata
tim

------------------
91 Camaro RS-LO3,Auto.
14.209@95.46mph
Best 60' 1.917
Check Out The East Coast F-Body Nationals Home Page
www.geocities.com/njspeeder

My MAFB.ORG Home Page
www.mycar.net/mafb/registry/detail.cfm?id=299

DSI Racing Home Page
www.geocities.com/foff667

 

Why would you want a TPI car? Sure it has more horsepower, but everyone seems to have a TPI system when they open their hood. The TBI is a real underdog and nobody expects a TBI to really perform, but it can.