so ive searched around on here a bit, but im still pretty tossed up about all the various injection/intake setups i could go with. the engine this is concerning will be a 383, going in a 94 lifted z71 (so not fast). im trying to stay SMOG legal if possible. options ive seen

TBI (stock)
TPI
LT1
HSR
Super Ram
Mini Ram
TPIS

basically, im looking for a summary and as much info as possible on each type, or any other types. are there any websites with a breakdown of each setup, what it came, what its good for, costs, etc etc? just trying to find which setup is best for my application versus SMOG legality versus ease of use and tuning versus cost.

thanks

 

I used to have a link directly to the page at www.tpis.com that outlined the various systems. the link no longer works, so you may have to punch down through their menus.

 

Whatever your choice, be warned, the later part of your list (HSR,Super Ram ,Mini Ram ,TPIS) is a prime example of the equation "cost vs. speed." You pay a pretty penny for those.

 

TBI- throttle body injection, uses large injectors in TB to feed entire engine, wet system, meaning the fuel flows through the entire intake, inefficient and not too precise, similar to a carb
TPI- tuned port injection, multiport system with injector for each cylinder, long runners (~17in) maximize power in low rpm range, but consequently doesnt have the flow capability for much high-rpm power, emissions legal
LT1- short runner (~5in) multiport intake, great for high-rpm power, ok for low-end, requires fairly extensive modification to fit Gen 1 smallblock, probably difficult to make smog legal on older engine
HSR- Holley Stealthram, tunnel ram style multiport intake, good midrange and topend capabilities, no EGR provisions so its not emissions legal
SuperRam- similar to TPI (uses common base) but with shorter runners and a larger plenum, good low end and midrange, many owners complain about difficult installation however, emissions legal
MiniRam- very similar to LT1 intake, except will bolt on Gen 1 engine with no modifications, expensive (~$800), not sure on legality
TPIS- a company, not an intake

 

thanks guys, thats really helpful. basically the abbreviations were screwing me over.

i think its pretty much down to TBI, TPI or LT1 for me. I know a guy over on fullsizechevy.com and who cruises here has a modified LT1 on his 383. Its in his 94 burb, so same emissions junk as me, but he said since he was able to do the work himself it was pretty cheap. I wanna say he got a complete pull off setup on ebay for around $100, and had about $100 in various little parts, did the machine work himself. I would be able to do the machine work, so for $300 or less im guessing, it sounds pretty nice. is the LT1 setup strictly better off at higher RPMs, or can it be modded to satisfy lower-midrange? This thing is in a truck and obviously i want the torque down low, if it dies off at 4000 thats fine with me.

one other quick question, how is the tuneability of each of those, comparable? I want to learn to self tune the engine myself, computer that is, and burn my own chips. My dad knows two guys that have shops with dynos, so that should help in the tuning department.

thanks

 

Might also wanna check out www.LT1intake.com they sell converted intakes for $400, keep in mind for the LT1 swap you need all the TPI sensors, a throttle body (TPI one will work), a TPI harness, and a TPI ECU to control it.

 

yup checked out lt1intake.com, good info there. if i go LT1, i think ill do the machine work myself (well, do it with my dad) to save cost, we can definitely handle it. So is the LT1 setup basically a later model TPI setup? since it needs a TPI computer and all?
thanks

 

You can use a TPI computer with an LT1 intake. The sensors, throttle bodies and inejectors are about the same. The LT1 intake has much shorter runners than the TPI intake and makes almost equal torque but breathes great up top whereas the TPI intake falls flat.

 

you guys are forgetting about FIRST injections as well....their pletium and runners are huge stock...I believe 1.9 inches on the inside....and I think stock is like 1.4 or something...check them out...I'm interested and problaby will be doing this setup this summer. www.firstinjections.com

 

It is still a TPI set-up.