So, I'm sitting at a stop light stuffing my face with a burger when a pretty clean IROC vert with a couple of kids in it pulls up on my right, looks over at me and starts revving. His car sounds kinda mean, obviously aftermarket exhaust, so I figure it's got some mods. I'm a big 3rd gen fan, so I thought I'd give him a go and give the kid some bragging rights at school. I look back, rev my engine and it's on. I'm going to be steering AND shifting with my left hand, burger's in my right; dog is riding shotgun so I can't set down my burger. I'm launching in 2nd and going straight into 4th so I don't have to shift too much.

Anyway light turns green, he gets a great launch... guessing he's got an auto... and pulls a couple lengths on me. At that point I see he's got some horrible aftermarket exhaust tips. I catch up by the top of 2nd, lose another length with a slow shift into 4th, but then catch him and pass him pretty easily. I let off a little over 100, and he does too and stays behind me all the way to the next stoplight about 3/4 mile up. When I pull up to the light, he stays in his lane, but stays a length back so I can't look over at him.

WTF?!?! That had to be an LO3, right?

 

If you killed him that bad granny shifting and with a slow launch then yes i'd say it would be an L03... Doubt it was anything more. 350tpi you would have been done if you started off bad.... same with the 305 tpi... but probably an L03. Nice kill either way, not a huge fan of verts .lol Remember the base model engine for the IROC was a 305 TBI.....

 

Could have been a TPI car. Conv's were pretty slow no matter what engine you got. 1-3 seconds slower than a 93, depending on engine.

 

I have an 88 T/A 305 Tune port and a 93 LT1 Formula. Both have about the same mods. LT1 car is over a second faster in the 1/8. LT1 8.66 best time, LB9 9.74 average(Best 9.51 after icing down intake for about 15 minutes but havent been able to repete)

 

I figure I gave the guy at least 2 seconds, probably more, by driving like a donkey. The fact I still beat him, whatever he was running, means he shouldn't be revving at ANYBODY at a stoplight.

 

probably an LB9 305 TPI car, those things are slow, had one and hated it...

 

so what would you guys rather have? a TPI or a TBI?
btw i have a 92 camaro w/ an LO3 TBI

 

TPI, never owned TBI....

 

neither , the stock drive trains in these cars are performance vampires...


thank god for after market

 

would it be better for performance if i converted my TBI to a carb?

 

If you want performance look a little lower start w/ a cam , some small chamber good flowing heads, to up your compression a little and let the sucker breathe, and headers. Then put a carb on it w/ a distributor. I've seen TPI systems make good power this way, it just costs more. TBI can be modified also, how much do you want to spend????
I don't mean to put anybody's car down, you have to realize the true nature of these cars. They were built during a time when technology was not up to speed w/ EPA regulations. They have low compression motors. These were some of the first EFI performance V-8's. It was a learning period for everyone involved, GM, Ford, the aftermarket and buyers too. I will agree w/the above post, they are dead nuts reliable! Even when my TPI had something wrong w/it, it'd start and get me home! Even Corvettes and Mustangs from this period had weak motors, our cars also had the disadvantage of being heavy! So don't be discouraged, A carb and headers will help, a cam and heads will help more. If you want big power start saving your $$$ cuz you'll need it...LOL

 

im looking to spend around 1500 so im pretty sure i can do all of that with my budget
thnx for the advice

 

This pretty much sums it up:

350 TPI > 305 TPI > 305 TBI

 

Do some research on this site, ask questions, see what other people have done, there are alot of good used parts available here for good prices, take your time and come up w/a plan. Look under different forums, parts for sale, TBI etc. I do have some parts from my old LB9 available Crane Cam,roller lifters etc. PM if you need something I have alot of stuff and friends w/parts....