I wasn't real sure where to post this, so I am doing it here. I've got this 88 GTA 350 in my 87 GTA. What will be easier/cheaper/less time consuming, switching to a carb or keeping the TPI and building it up that way? I am on kind of a budget. I want to see a 12.99 relatively easily. What will be the easiest/cheapest way to get there? Thanks.

 

if you dont get many replies here, maybe try the motor swap board, i realize its not a true motor swap but maybe they could help.

 

Upgrading a TPI to run with higher flowing heads and larger cam is gonna cost some money. The carb option is probably cheaper over all but you are probably hurting the value of reselling the car especially in an area that has emission inspections.

I went from TPI to carb because I don't have time to mess with burning chips and dealing with codes and constantly worrying about the sensors and all the wiring.

I got a q-jet for 30 bucks on e-bay that all I had to do was put 5 dollar metering rods in to improve performance and got a 25 dollar factory alluminum manifold. I went ahead and spent a little more on the distributor (100 bucks) and pulled the in tank fuel pump out and used a 70 dollar carter inline pump. You could go with the 90 dollar mallory regulator with the intank pump.

so basically I spent the same amount of money switching to a carb as a good set of aftermarket runners cost. And that is just where you would start upgrading the TPI.

If I had the money and time I would go EFI and also buy the equipment to burn chips but I don't and I am very comfortable driving my predictable carbed car.

For any TPI fans, I know it is a nice set-up and I am not saying to trash it. Just for people like me with small budgets and very little time to keep our daily drivers running the carb is a good answer.

 

I went carb because all I cared about was going fast and was having LOTS of trouble with my TPI. I spent just about $500 converting to carb and think it was well worth it. I can tear my motor down and put it back together in just a few hours. Its so much easier to tune and troubleshoot when something goes wrong.

Although....... If I had the extra bucks and took more time learning the ways of fuel injection I'd stick with it. I'd much rather own a fast fuel injected car than a fast carbed car ...EFI is the way of the future there is no avoiding it anymore.

If you decide to swap to carb just shoot me an e-mail or PM with any questions you have ...I've gone through it all.

 

alright, thanks a lot, I'm in high school yet so I don't have all that much money but I still want to go fast.