i know u guys are probably tired of reading these tpi swap questions but i have a few-

i came across a complete tpi setup from a buddy who swapped to a carb-complete as in all wiring, computer,sensors,injectors,etc.

now i have a pre '87 350 i want to swap this setup on to-will this swap bolt up with the 87 and later heads having a different bolt pattern and all??

will i have to run electric fans??will i have to have a serpentine setup?will i need to change out my fuel lines?what about exhaust will it bolt up?and what about the tcc lockup switch do i have to have that?is there any books that cover this swap in detail??

any help with any of these questions or even some problems that i didnt think of will help -thanks guys

 

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you'll have any problems other than the heads you really need a newer style head because of the sensors and stuff, as for electric fans, No, I just had this problem on my '92 formula TPI 305, your fans are setup on a coolant temp. sensor, which tells the computer when to kick on and off, if a relay blows there is no change in the way the car runs it just doesn't cool, a straight fan will be ok, If you can get one to fit...LOL I had that broblem with a three core radiator
that is about all I can tell ya, bye bye, and good luck.

Jhnboy9

 

you don't need the newer style head to use that intake,all of the sensor provisions are there.the four inner holes on the intake base can be elongated.it would be a good idea to use some sort of RTV sealant in thos bolt holes.

you don't need to go with a serpentine belt

if you have a belt driven fan that will work.

 

Your question is confusing. What are you working with? 87-up heads or pre-87 heads? 87-up TPI or pre-87 TPI? Corvette stuff or not?

Anyway, the head/intake thing is a non-issue with some minor modification to the intake base. Thats the only worry. No worries about using the 'right' head, or sensors. It'll all work fine.

 

madmax-lemme clarify what i am working with-im trying to build this car as cheap as possible and have found some really good deals-well i think they were good deals-im buildint an 82 T/A that i bought for $375 w/TTL-then i picked up a 350 from a 76 corvette for $50-so i have pre 87 heads and want to make these heads work with the 87 later tpi unit-when u guys say elongate the 4 inner holes, exactly how do i go about doing this?-madmax if it is a bolt in process as u say will my fuel lines in the 82 T/A suffice or will i need to run new ones to support 40+ psi?-appreciate the help guys and ill let ya know how it goes

 

You're going to need the fuel lines , sending unit, and a pump for a tpi. I think those corvette 350 heads you have are 882's. I found a tpi intake for the earlier style heads on EBAY for 40 bucks, so you might want to keep your eyes open there. I got it in case I decide to use my L98 aluminum heads my camaro, and get some better ones for my Chevelle.

 

Yea, aside of the TPI itself (I should have mentioned it... my bad) theres lots of other stuff like the wiring, fuel pressure (pump and lines you need, including the rubber hoses, dont forget those), computer, and of course all the sensors and relays. Make sure you get as much of that stuff as possible from the same car/person otherwise the odds+ends will nickel and dime you to death.

I actually used a mill to elongate the center 4 bolt holes and spot face the manifold where the bolt head sits. With a drill you can do it, people have done that before. Basically, you have to cut the holes downward into the manifold and make them 90 to the intake face, whereas now they are at 72 degrees.

 

you can also use an 85-86 intake base instead of angling the bolt holes. Be sure and use bolt thread sealant on the middle 4 at a minimum.

Matthew

 

ok so if i can get an 85-86 tpi base then i dont have to angle the bolts correct?would it be better to swap to an intank tpi fuel pump or go aftermarket and pick up an electric pump?whats an easy way of adding a return line?oh and about the wiring-i just need the wiring from the computer to the engine correct?or will i need more than that?what about the guages-does the computer control them or is it a seperate harness? (ex. coolant temp sensor-does it provide temp to computer and guage or just to computer?)-i just want to make sure i get the complete package so i dont have to hunt down parts as u guys said earlier-thanks guys appreciate the help

 

Right, the 85/86 base will require no drilling mods.

I prefer in tank pumps; they're quieter and can supply more than enough for a healthy small block. Lots of choices here, OEM style & aftermarket.

If you need a sending unit, this guy has one for sale & I will personally vouch for him.

You can probably get a set of lines & clips from a junkyard so you can route them like stock. TBI & V6 cars may be a valid source of these too, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

The 85-87 TPI harness was separate from the engine / starter / gauges harness. 88-92 were all integrated. The computer does not control the gauges. There are 2 temperate senders. One in the intake base for the ECM & one in the DS head for the gauges.

You might as well go electric fans; cleans up the engine bay. You do not have to go with serpentine accessories.

HTH.
Matthew

 

you'll need to deside on what you want to do about the cold start injector.
85 through 88 had them
89-92 did not.
if your using the an 85-88 ECM you need an 85-88 fuel rail.
or if you can burn PROMs you can remove the cold start function out of the ECM.

when it comes to the fuel lines?
your carb fuel line are going to be way to small.5-12 psi for carb..36-42 psi for fuel injection.an eazier way(but expensive)is to run braided fuel lines fron the tank to the fuel rail.

you may want to do this as cheap as you can but it isn't going to be

 

ok guys thanks for the info-my buddy said i could have anything tpi related for $200-so i'll see if i can snag all fuel lines, pump, sending unit, and fans if possible-ill let ya know what i get for the $200-appreciate the info