Third times a charm right?!? After my 89 took a crap, I almost was lost. With 0 down, 0 interst and 0 payment til 2003, I almost crossed the line and ended up in a Mitsubooboo. That is until I drove one, at which point I realized I would not be happy behind the wheel of anything else but a rear-wheel drive AMERICAN car.

To make a long story short, the only car I looked at is what I got, 1990 Formula with only 37k miles on it for 4500. Considering I paid 5900 for my 89 six years ago with 42k, I think I came out ahead. Not to mention all the aftermarket parts that I can transfer over. The only thing is, it is one slow dog.

What I am asking is this boards input on keeping the TBI over swapping in my 89 TPI. Could a Modded TBI set-up compare to the TPI for the same amount of cash and aggrivation that it would take to swap in the TPI?

That's it for now. Oh, you can imagine that I have lots for sale. Please check out my garage sale if you need anything cheap.


Garage Sale

Thanks,
Mike

 

What happend to the car you have? Don't tell me the engine or tranny blew and you are parting it out because of that.

 

i am personally a big fan of tbi. in factory form it does nto have as much power as the tpi, but with some simple, cheap, mods it will produce a longer and flatter torque curve with about the same peak. tbi will also give you a bit better mileage(2 injectors throwing in gas compared to 8).
a guy on one of the other boards just completed teh tbi to tpi swap on his car and had dyno sheets from before and after, he only picked up like 10 peak hp and about 30ft/lbs of peak torque. you can get that by just swapping on a edelbrockl performer tbi adn not having to rewire and swap all that stuff.
i think for ht eamount of money you could sell your tpi set up for you woudl have enough money to have your tbi really flying.

later
tim

 

I spun a bearing in the motor. For the amount that I would have to pay to make the old one look like the new one, it would have been way over the amount paid for the car, not to mention the more important factor: TIME. I need a running car, not a project in the garage to stress on. I have one of those already, thank you.

Anyway, I was thinking of staying with TBI. I also posted this message on the TPI board to see if they could convince me. If I go to TPI I would spend good hours opening up the plenum and intake, maybe some used runners. I don't need really more than that as gar as intake CFM. I don't plan on pulling heads.

I could then sell the TPI unit, triangle brace (It's a kenny brown tpi only) plus I have the nitrous plate for the TPI. I would just keep the solenoids and the bottle. I saw some guys already selling plate for the TBI. Could always skip the plate and put 8 foggers around the intake manifiold. Which ever way I get get into the high 14's on motor and run 175-200 on spray. That's all I need. Oh, and a six speed. All I want is like my first 3rd Gen, stick shift. I can't believe I bought another damn automatic, but I could not pass up on the low miles.

Are the cams the same? 89 TPI and a 90 TBI? The TBI I have is just such a dog. I know that the gear is no higher than a 3.08, prob 2.73, but the car just isn't responsive.

 

14's on motor is ultimate tbi mods, edelbrock intake, and LT1 cam away. throw in a set of 3.73's and a posi and you will be good to go.

later
tim

 

Definatly think about doing the cam swap and some other cheap mods. Do not spray more than 125, anything more and you're asking for trouble (cast pistons man!). With some suspension mods and following camaroracer1992's formula you can get the 305 tbi with N2o (125 shot) to run low 13's! Not bad but that takes LOTS of traction.
The energy spent swapping to TPI would take a lot of time (wiring harness) and money for the maf, good injectors, etc.
I thought about swapping to TPI way back when but there was no reason for it. I'm running a great mph right now with my crate motor, I just need to get some traction and install something other than a stock torque converter (, crappy 2.2 60' times).
Usually speaking the best EFI is what you have in the car at present time. Keep the TBI and do the mods we talk about and you can fly. No doubt TPI will give you more street grunt but there's something about being an underdog and running with the guys that spent $$$ (bling bling, ). Do the N2o last and focus on exhaust, cam (Lt1 if keeping stock heads), and ported the stock TB while making the afpr! Do that and you'll be amazed at how well the engine responds to the cam and "uncorking" it's in and outs.

 

I hate to see a hardtop car die. Can't you just sell it to someone that has the time so they can use it as a project car? Most people buy these cars when they have 100K to use them as daily drivers. Someone could take your car and buy a GM motor for it and it could go for years to come.

 

I'd keep it, even if I had to store it at a friend's place. Just to have a parts car.

I wouldn't be able to decide between TBI or TPI either. I like the simplicity and reliability of TBI, but like the torque, look, and sound of TPI. The cost is kind of a limiting factor as well...

 

It's all up to you. Like Tim says, with some investments in the motor, a TBI can fly just like any TPI could. Choose for yourself; I just hate the mega disadvantage we have starting with 170 bhp.

 

What I plan on doing is stripping down the 89 and renting some storage space to store all the parts. The doors will eventually make it on the Z-28, along with the carpet and anything else I can use. Spare parts! That is the whole reason for buying another 3rd gen.

BahamutRS, I might be calling ya on those parts. I just hate to rip apart this car already, but it really is way to slow for me. It' will be cool to take it to the track as is then start swapping my parts on it to track the progress.

Thanks again everybody, I keep you inform. And HEY, tell everybody ya can he parts for sale. I promise to cut everybody one hell of a deal.

JPrevost: Aren't all 87 up roller motors equipped with forged pistons?

Mike

 

lmao. I wish.

 

I may be interested in buying the TPI setup...

Let me know how much your looking to get for it...

MILT