I am doing a retro-fit TPI in my 71 Impala, and this has been over the course of several years. Here's what my engine is shaping up like:

355 C.I. 88 model truck block:
STOCK TPI
MSD 6AL with Blaster2
Accel Wires (because they're yellow)
TFS 64CC/195cc/2.02/1.60 with Proform roller rockers and 3/8 X 7/16 studs
Flat top pistons
.030 over bore =355 c.i. (right?)
Stock Crankshaft, possibly a SCAT NEW CASTING
Block Hugger headers (shorties) with O2 bung welded in
700R4 with shift improvers, and possibly a manual Valve body

Rear differential ratio is forgotten, I think its 2.72, but I plan on running a 185/80R13. (Its a lowrider, come on.)

I want to choose a ROLLER CAM that will work with the OEM STYLE Roller system. I hope to find a moild to moderate lope, without having to chip the ECM too many times to compensate for a RADICALl camshaft...
My wife wants it to sound like "one of them hotrods you see on the street", so I have to factor in the sound if possible...

Can anyone offer any guidance? Im not to well versed in camshaft numbers, and I had already selected a Lunati 60101, but its flat tappet.

I truly appreciate any help ypu guys could offer.
Thanks
Scott AKA YL

 

You are definitely on the wrong forum guy.... I know there are plenty of low rider forums for you though...

 

I feel 195cc heads and stock TPI are a serious mismatch, likewise 195 heads and 2.73:1 gears. If you can drop back to 170-180cc heads, you'll be happier.
For a cam you can both hear and drive, I'd suggest considering COMP's 210/220-112, 480/480 cam. That cam and smaller heads would make a pretty-well-matched car.

 

Stock LT4 cam (not the HotCam). It's similar in specs to the orginal L98 350 TPI cam but with more lift (which your aftermarket heads can use). Last thing you need with that combo is more duration. With a stock converter, stock TPI setup and tall gears you're going to need plenty of torque right off idle.

Tuning requirements should be at a minimum- the cam is the biggest factor in changing the engine's basic breathing characteristics.

 

actually, 195s will hurt his low-end torque, and duration alone isn't an issue. Intake closing is way more of a difference, and my cam will give more off-idle torque than yours. I'm a professional automotive machinist. I hafta be good at suggesting cams. My first year I ate 5 cam swaps for suggesting wrong. In the last 5 years, I haven't heard one complaint.

 

Atilla, thanks for the help. Likewise to you Damon. Both of you might be thinking that the 2.72 gear is too high, but the tire I plan on running will more than make up for that. I don't plan to drag race, more like a cruiser with 'special abilities'.

I know the 195's are probably WAY overboard. They were really inexpensive Trick Flows, and decided on them because of availability, and their price. ($350, no springs, locks or retainers.) This car only needs to perform one area really well, and that is in parking lots (shows) and point a to point b.

I chose this forum board, because you can't get TUNED PORT assistance on any lowrider forums. Basically you can't get anything besides people who want to up their post count. MY ENGINE is THIRD GEN stuff. My CAR is a 1971 Impala.

Without trying to offend anyone here who has offered help (thanks again guys), where else can I go to get advice on this TPI system?
www.retrofit-a-tuned-port-into-anything.com???
PLEASE... If you don't want me here, help me find a forum that specializes in tuned port retro fits, and I will leave you guys alone, and take whatever help I might have offered in return with me.

I really appreciate the guys who offered real advice. Sonix, why did you even bother? Do you want me to go away? Did I offend you somehow? If I have made you mad, please let me know, and I will send flowers or chocolates or something. Im really a nice guy if you give me a chance.

Regards,
Scott AKA YL

 

I like chocolates, and I prefer daisy's as far as flowers go...
I was just letting you know, so if/when your thread gets locked, and you get booted off here, you'll know why. I'm just the messenger, I don't have the clout to kick you off here.
It's not always about offending anyone, we're just trying to avoid cluttering up our boards with threads that aren't relevant to US, with our 3rd gen cars. Makes it harder for us, to find information on our cars, on our forum, if it gets cluttered up with chatter from people who don't have these cars. Just a slippery slope is all.

What some sly users do, is just say they have an '89 Camaro. Who's ever going to know?!? (hint)

Question - why stock TPI? Are you dead set on that for some reason? stealth ram is only a few hundred dollars for example...

 

Well, I chose stock TPI basically for the LOOK. I was told that it veers toward making torque, instead of HP, so I decided that was the system for me. The decision of Tuned Port Injection was made when I was about 15, which was over 17 years ago. I am finally getting to make that a reality, and just recently learned that the heads I decided to use might not be right for it.

As far as my '92 Z28 is concerned, I have added about 1255 pounds to it in pure Detroit sheetmetal, and have also added a solid frame with a 2.72 (+/-) gear in a GM 10 bolt. I plan on running 13" wheels and 185/80R13s, so hopefully that will help with the gearing problem, albeit at the loss of traction. I doubt anyone would want to drag race me after I raise the rear end 18 FULL INCHES from the ground. (Message me for the youtube link).

I also found out this last weekend that my block might not clean up at .030... The machinist might have to go .040 to get the ridges out...
So, I need to call northern auto to see if I can swap these pistons out...

Any other suggestions? Atilla, I think I should have also mentioned that this system has been made to speed density, instead of MAF. I'm not sure if you were aware of that when you made your suggestion....

Thanks again guys!!! Keep the responses coming!!!

Scott AKA YL

 

SD systems are even less forgiving of changes to the engine's basic breathing characteristics than earlier MAF systems were. They have no way of directly measuring how much air is going into the engine. So the more you changes the cam from stock the further off the stock programming will be.

Since you don't want to do chip programming, I'll again suggest you stick with a cam that is very close to stock. That's why I suggested the production LT4 cam (not the HotCam) since it is a factory style roller cam that specs out very very close to the original L98 350 TPI cam, but with more lift. Something like that cam with your aftermarket heads and a set of shortie headers is about as far as I'd go with the combo on stock programming. Plus, you're gonna need the brutal low end torque that a small cam and TPI can deliver to haul all that weight around with 2-series gears. Big cams are not what you want in this application for multiple reasons.

I agree with you on the looks of the engine- the TPI is still among the best looking intake systems ever put on a V8. I think it'll look cool in your ride. And it is YOUR ride- that means you get to build it the way you want it, regardless of what others opinions might be. Last I checked this is still America. Pursuit of happiness and all that.

 

Thanks, Damon. I really appreciate that.

I dont mind chipping the ECM, I just don't wanna spend $500 doing so. I think Im going to take a look at the cam that Atilla suggested as the possible candidate.

Atilla, will it require very much rechipping? Also will it deliver very much torque? Thanks guys for all your inputs.

Scott AkA YL