Hey guys I am doing some research for a friend. I know a little about fuel injection considering i own a 95 formula. But i don't know much about TPI. My friend has a 76 pickup with a 350 that is built up. He is looking for a little more streetability, so he is looking into TPI. Now he wants new runners and everything because this motor is going to be pushing 375hp. His friend is going to sell him a complete TPI system (comptuer and everything) for $350.

Here is what I need to know.

Would it be better to buy new runners and intake?
or
Buy the LT1 intake that fits the TPI?

I am thinking for the price the LT1 would be better, but you guys tell me.

Also whatever one you think is better, what would he need to do it? I need specifics because we are kind of lost on this subject. Would he need an after market wiring harness considering he has the comptuer and everything already?
Also he wanted to run camel hump/double hump heads will they work?

Basically i need to know everything that needs to be done to covnert and which way is the better way (makes more power)

And is it possible to do this for around $700 (not including the purchase of the TPI system)?

thanks
Tom

 

The LT1 and TPI are completely different designs, and are not interchangable. TPIS sells a MiniRam, which is similar to a LT1, and used many of the TPI components, but the manifold alone is around $900. You would be better off getting the used TPI (make sure you get a distributor and all sensors too), and upgrading the runners, manifold base, and injectors.

 

Well, as long as you are talking about stock for stock you are right.

The is a way to adopt a LT1 to a SBC and replace the TPI. I have done 50 conversions so far.

 

dont bother with tpi just get a stealthram. It will cost way more to ever upgrade all the TPI parts. Save the tpi computer and injectors and sell the rest on ebay.

 

TPI is not a good on a truck. Low gears and a system that chokes in the upper RPM range are not a good choice. Tell him to save a thousand more and get a supercharger. Ive got a friend who has a nice 71 with a beefy 350 with a supercharger sitting ubder the hood. Gets 15 MPG and can lay the rubber down nice and heavy. My 76SWB is faster though (NA) even gets the front two wheels off the ground. Gota scan the picture some time.

 

Now I've heard everything

 

lol, allow me to elaborate. TPI is perfect for a truck! Yeah it doesn't breath well past about 4800 but when's the last time you redlined a truck? It makes a crapload of LOW END torque, which is exactly what you want in a truck. the lt1 intake will shift your powerband up and is good for applications where your peak hp is at 5000-5500rpm, good for cars, not for trucks. so in this case i would go TPI because it'll be cheaper, easier and better suited to the application.

is your friend getting the wiring harness too? if not then you can buy a conversion harness from www.chevythunder.com, best prices around or you can buy a used one from ebay. depending on the version of TPI he's using he'll need different harnesses. If it has a MAF sensor then you'll need a maf harness. between '90 and '92 they used a speed density system which uses a MAP sensor (no maf sensor), this will require a different harness from the maf one. whichever one he gets though, he will need to have a custom chip burned so it works well with the engine or better yet buy the equipment to burn chips and do it yourself, there's plenty of people to ask questions about it here. i'm currently converting to fuel injection myself, i bought a speed density harness on ebay for $170. i'm converting to the lt1 intake. hope that helps.