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Carb or TPI?

Old Dec 24, 2009 | 06:20 PM
  #1  
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Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Carb or TPI?

I have an '88 305 TPI that threw a rod and I want to replace it with a an '88 350 that I have on my '81 Camaro right now. The 350 has a Performer intake with a Holley dual feed carburator. What would be better? to keep the carburator setup or to install the TPI stuff right off the 305, leaving it stock. I'm really not interested in much HP right now. But is there a real big difference in gas mileage/performance? If I want to add power later, could I just upgrade the injectors? or do I need to replace the plenum too? Please some advice here. Thanks!
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 02:58 PM
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Carb or TPI?

Originally Posted by Davidgou
I have an '88 305 TPI that threw a rod and I want to replace it with a an '88 350 that I have on my '81 Camaro right now. The 350 has a Performer intake with a Holley dual feed carburator. What would be better? to keep the carburator setup or to install the TPI stuff right off the 305, leaving it stock. I'm really not interested in much HP right now. But is there a real big difference in gas mileage/performance? If I want to add power later, could I just upgrade the injectors? or do I need to replace the plenum too? Please some advice here. Thanks!
Anyone? Some help please????
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:30 PM
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From: West-Central
Car: 91 Trans am
Engine: built 360 TBI
Transmission: built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10bolt/3.23
Re: Carb or TPI?

I would put a mild computer friendly cam in the 350 and bolt the TPI on it. 305 and 350 plenums are the same.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 06:17 PM
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 88' IROCZ
Engine: 388 TPI Motown 350 Race block
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Carb or TPI?

Depends on the application e.g. street, track.

I use the TPI to keep it some what stock and for the torgue, it's a stock hand polished TPI with some plenum porting mods, 52mm TB, and Scoggin-Dickey high-flow Vortec base plate on GMPP fast burn alum heads.

If I was to race it I'd go carb, TB injection, or add twin turbo to the TPI if I had the money.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 06:39 PM
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Carb or TPI?

It'll be for street. You got any pics?
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 09:06 PM
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 88' IROCZ
Engine: 388 TPI Motown 350 Race block
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Carb or TPI?

Yes, I'll post them as sson as i find them.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 09:18 PM
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Carb or TPI?

Thanks guys. I can't wait to bring my car home and start working on it. It's 30 miles away in Hollywood where it broke down. I'm hoping to find a tow dollie tomorrow and bring it home. I'll keep you posted.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 09:37 PM
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 88' IROCZ
Engine: 388 TPI Motown 350 Race block
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Carb or TPI?

The first dollie (U-haul) I used wasn't quite wide enough for my IROC. I had to make really wide turns to keep from denting the fenders. They may just have given me the wrong one, but be careful.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 10:05 PM
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Carb or TPI?

Wow. Thanks for the advice. I'll be carefull.
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Old Jan 2, 2010 | 09:33 PM
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Carb or TPI?

I tried getting the tow dollie but it wasn't recomended by uhaul and my van wouldn't tow the needed trailer. Long story short, I found a tow truck that charged me $90 for the deal. It wasn't too bad if you consider that I would have had to pay almost $60 for the dollie, plus the gas in my van, and this way, it's done! Now all I have to do is get to work on it!
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 09:56 AM
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Re: Carb or TPI?

Another vote for TPI. If you have some elective funds to spend, now is the time. There are some good TPI specialists right in your area, and represented on these boards.
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 09:48 PM
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Carb or TPI?

Thanks Vader. Can you name a few please?
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 10:14 PM
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Re: Carb or TPI?

Look in the sponsored links or regional boards.
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Old Jan 3, 2010 | 11:53 PM
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From: Hollywood, FL
Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Carb or TPI?

Thanks Vader. I'll do that.
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