This is a repost of something i already posted in the engine swaps section, figure I might get some more answers if I post on this regional board too:

Hi guys,

Originally I was going to do an LSx swap into my car, but after thinking things through, I've decided I'm not going to do that. The LSx is a wonderfully smooth motor, but I don't want smooth - the beautiful rumble and exhaust note of the earlier motors just feels too good. Not to mention...I have lots of good parts on my motor that I can reuse, and I like the "simplicity" of the TPI engines.

So my questions are as follows:
-what is the largest "direct replacement" block I can get? By "direct replacement", I mean that all the accessories, distributor, heads, intake, oil pan, etc will work just fine when swapped over (currently have a 305 TPI).

-I definitely want to keep the TPI setup - what would need to be modified for it to work with a larger block? It is pretty much stock except for Accell #19lbs injectors.

-where is a good place to get the block with a balanced rotating assembly (I'm also gonna need low compression 9:1 pistons so I can supercharge and still run pump gas)?

-is a T-56 capable of handling over 500hp? If not, what are my options with regard to manual transmissions?

-what will I need to do to beef up the rear end to handle 500+ hp? I want something that will work well around a track as well as on the strip (something comparable to the posi I currently have...no solid axles or anything like that)

Any opinions/advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,

--Mike

 

LOL you havn`t even drivin your car yet and you want to swap out the engine LOL.. too funny man... already got the mod bug... but anyway...

a small block is a small block a 265 is as big as a 400 on the outside.. it`s whats inside that counts... but a 383 would probly be your best choice... but i`ve read 383`s don`t like factory TPI setups so you`d be looking at like a steath ram intake or something like it.... you may get away with a new intake and the SLP runners if you want to keep the TPI look and a 58mm holley throttle body

theres other guys that know way more then me on this stuff though... but if your interested in a 383... i may sell mine.... PM me if you want to talk about it.

 

haha, well I have driven the car...I went on a little 20 minute cruise with Brad around St. Catherines before, and I've driven it "around the block" a few times after I got it haha


I always planned this to be a project car, so these thoughts have been brewing even before I got the car lol.

I thought the aftermarket intake systems would cost way more then they actually do, so maybe I'll go that route if its easier to work with.

I might be interested in your 383...PM'd...I'm hoping to retain some fuel economy, so maybe a 383 is a good idea...but I really want a 454 lol.

I got pretty much all my questions answered so far, but I have one more: will the stock ECU handle a 400+ cu engine well? What about after a supercharger is stuck on?

Thanks!

--Mike

 

hey, I was thinking about going with a 355TPI setup, but now, my buddy has given up on doing his truck up. The engine is a 350 block, bore 0.030 over and stroked. I think it works out to be a 396 or something. The top end is for a carb but will be changing since I want to stick with fuel injection. Will probably do some porting or buy a stealthram or miniram. I know I will need to change my tranny and rear end for it to hold up. He has a tranny he was going to use which is a turbo 400 and has a rebuilt rear end also. It has 4.11 gear and a locker inside. I'm sure this will haul like crazy but will be a gas guzzler though.

As for you using the stock ECM from your car (305) will not work for the setup your planning, i think. Getting a 350 chip and burning it to the mods you have done would be the best choice I'm pretty sure. I am not 100% positive though. I'm sure one of the other members will correct me if I'm wrong. And also you will need to change the knock sensor for the new setup.

As for some of my question, I am wondering if this setup will all work together nicely. Will the turbo 400 fit in place? I was thinking about getting a t-5 or t-56 instead. Will any of these be better choice then the turbo 400??? And other then the knock sensor and chip, will i need to change anything else for this bigger setup. Thanks, John

 

You will need a special crossmember for the turbo 400 trany to fit, personaly I'd go with the T-56 swap and save some gas milage, but eh, what ever tickles your fancy

Oh, and with a custom chip the stock ECM will support over 400ci's

I had a 383 with a stock TPI on top, wasnt the fastest set-up I'v had, but sure was the funnest, nothing like 400rwtq at only 3000rpm to make the tires noisy
I actualy miss that set-up

I still have the stock 10bolt rear end in my car, but the W/C T-5's dont seem to last long, after 3 of them in just as many year's, went T-56

 

Ok...this is what I've decided: when I get to the engine modding, ill start with a 383, aftermarket intake (not sure which one yet), T-56, new chip, and swap everything else over from my current setup (accessories, heads, accell injectors, etc).

after I have that all working, ill either get new heads or do some work on the ones I have.

and then finally, forced induction and a new rear end will top it off.

all of this will happen after my suspension and frame stiffening work of course.

does this sound like a decently solid plan of action? am i missing anything major (besides the barrage of "little things" that will go wrong along the way haha)?