I have an 89 Formula. Currently has a 305 TPI and 5 speed. I have a 400 small block at the machine shop and time has come to make a decision on the intake I'll run. The TPI will be easier to keep, but I'm reading so many differing opinions on running TPI on a 400. What I really want is Webers. I guess side draft will be the best for hood clearance, but they are pricier. I'm not opposed with a cowl hood and down drafts. Has this been done? What issues could I run into?

I also appreciate suggestions. I'm not a mechanic by a long shot!

Thanks in advance.

 

40+ year old technology. You would probably need 8 of them on your engine to provide enough air flow. Webers were more know to be installed on small 4 cylinder engines and the occasional inline 6.

A single 4 barrel is more than enough. Pick whatever style you want. With a taller intake manifold and a drop base air cleaner it will easily fit under the hood.

Not saying you can't do a Weber setup but in the end it will be a pricey setup and probably won't perform the way you want. Multiple carbs are hard to set up to all be exactly the same.

 

...Or a better flowing EFI run by your already installed ECM.

 

They are good carbs, but I've never ran one on anything bigger than a straight six.

 

"I really want Webers."

How about "I really want Webers because I heard they had great transition throttle response and could idle smooth for daily driver duty."

How about "I like the look of the TPI and it's always been reliable for it."

What do you actually like about them?

Webers aren't going to do anything better than a well set up Q-jet. On an '89, neither will be emissions legal. With an existing EFI system, a upgrade of intake, injectors, and a tune will take you far. And going SBC to SBC, things will be easier and require less accomodation of "different."

 

There are people who buy old Hilborn stack injection systems. These old mechanical injection systems are very obsolete however installing fuel rails and injector bosses into them to make them EFI gives them that old nostalgia look but with a modern fuel system.

It's not cheap but some people still want that look.

There are also throttle body systems that look like you have a carb sitting on an intake manifold. Has the old school look but with modern fuel injection.

Technically with enough time, money and fabrication skills, you could use some webers as the throttle bodies for an EFI system.

Here's a Hilborn stack EFI. It's using short stacks.



Here you go. All ready to bolt on. An 8 weber system for a V8. SBC crossram is about half way down the page. I don't even want to think about what it's worth.
http://jiminglese.com/weber5_007.htm