This isn't solely about TPi's in general, it'll be a mix and match.

Anyways a local guy has 2 TPI motors, one out of a Vette 1987 and the other Camaro 1989 with a called high performance package, a 350 is known there.
They are blocks and he has heads also he could sell, so the questions will start.

If I choose to take the Camaro engine would my current parts work with it and what do you think about it.
I have a 87 Monte 305 with alot of new parts, so I would use the current intake, Summit one and the stock Rochester quad so I could keep the current CCC system since he has none of those parts. Is the flywheel the same so I could keep using the 200R that in the car. I believe the knock sensors would need to be swapped out. Anything I am missing?

Or when he gives me the head numbers and I choose not to swap motors, just heads, what numbers should I be looking for.
I currently have 081, but when searching these forums there were better flowing heads, specially on the exhaust side so I could have them rebuilt and open up the intake side so they flow as well if not better than my 081's.

I know the majority will say a 350, but I really would like to keep the car with the correct motor and not have a extra one laying around. Would the head swap yield my enough to be happy and I am looking for torque as to a previous post I wrote on my 305.

 

Why dont you just use the whole 350 motor? It is like night and day compared to the 305. Almost like the difference between turbo and non-turbo models. If you swap heads remember that the 350 heads on a 305 will make your engine lose compression. The 305 heads are 58cc and the 350 iron block heads(083) are 64cc. You can use 305 heads on a 350 ,but i think the compression will then be too high and they will not flow as well anyway. You said you were after torque right? I believe the vette heads are 58 cc like your 305 heads ,but i think the vette had external egr plumbing. So there may be an issue there. If that were me , i would get the whole Iroc 350 motor heads and all and put your intake and carb on it and be done. You will need another prom chip in your ecm though for a 350.

 

Put the whole 350 in and be done with it.

 

Better yet, use the Vette 350.

 

EGR I am not using so that shouldn't be a problem.
Why a chip???
I was told I could out in a 350 and the comp would compensate.

 

If you are running a carb, then why would you need to swap out knock sensors? Doesnt make sense.What someone may have told you is that you cannot use a 350 knock sensor with a 305 prom chip and vice versa. Why doesn't your carb motor have an egr? What year is your car? Just use the 350 block and heads.

 

I not sure exactly the reason, but I was told to use the 305's knock sensor in the 350 when using the stock CCC cystem.
I removed the EGR from the current 305 and the intake I am using doesn't have provisions for it.

The car is a 1987!

The motor I have now runs very well and doing a compression check showed it had lots of life left in it. It just needs new valve seals, but I'm looking for some more power and rebuilding the current heads or another set to flow better is my choice instead of doing seals.

So what we have is a solid bottom end, new double roller chain, a Summit ( Weiand ) intake, 1.52 roller tipped rockers, Hooker shorties. Basically everything but the lower end and heads are brand new.
Most would swap out to the 350, but I may leave it numbers correct, be happy with the increase a better set of heads may offer and continue the process of finding a 3rd gen to add. If I go the motor exchange route it would delay this part.

 

Numbers correct? Still would not be stock or original with different heads and intake. If your stock bottom end right now is still original then why not spring for the 350? and take advantage of the already "better flowing" heads on it? Not sure if that intake you have will bolt up to the vette aluminum heads though and like I said the 350 iron heads from that Iroc motor will not do you any justice on a 305 block. Vortec heads can be had pretty cheap from Summit. I think i saw them on sale for $300/pair. They would flow better than the 350 heads and the Vette aluminum. May have to get another intake though,but lucky for you , you are not running tpi.

 

You may right about that knock sensor

 

Just trying to cover all the possibilities.
Leave the motor in the car, add better flowing heads and I could have the 64cc heads milled down to 58cc so I dont lose compression and once the heads are redone, a weekend project and extra cash left over.

Change the the 350 TPI motor, get it rebuilt, new better cam, heads reworked, down for a bit while making the change and costing alot more for something that is all ready the ole lady's, but I drive it until I get my car which now was pushed back until I resave the couple of grand which I will spend.

See there is some reasoning to the 305.