I was just thinking the other day how much I loved my TPI 350 in my 88 GTA. I've been wanting to get a Chevy Silverado, like the body style from 81 to 87. A short bed of course! Can you put a 350 TPI and a 700R tranny in one of these trucks? I don't see why not. I'd figure it would bolt right in if the truck used to have a 350 or 305 in it. That would be one sweet truck! I'm looking for a decent truck with a straight body. Not worried about the rest. I want a project truck that I could turn into a bad azz truck from a junker. I'd imagine that you'd need the ECM as well right? Just curious how much a 350 TPI setup would run me? Matt

 

Yes, it can be done with good results.

Having just yanked the TPI components from my 76 K5 Blazer 400 TPI project and sold most all of the items, I can relay a bit of info. First, it was a 400 sbc with the TPI off of my 92Z28. I also adapted a 700 R4 to the engine/transfercase in 1989 with no problems. Only needed to rework driveshaft lengths and tweak the crossmember mounting holes bit.

Your choices are to find a donor vehicle and strip everything (harness, ecm, TPI including all sensors, distriputor etc.), or buy components as you find them. Check out JTR's site for a lot of little info: http://www.jagsthatrun.com They also have a conversion book that is pretty helpful too.

First, TPI ecms are obviously different than the TBI ecm. Then, you'll need a wiring harness for the TPI in either MAF or SD. This harness will be a stand alone to the trucks primary electrical harness.

You'll do some creative wire routing/ecm mounting. And you'll do some radiator/fan ducting and shrouding redesign depending on how you run your inlet filter. I ran an SLP universal TPI setup with an LT1 elbow, 17" long tube and K&N filter on the end, running over behind the passenger side battery.

You'll need a HP inline fuel pump (or if the truck year you pick has an in-tank pump, you'll mod it to a HP pump) unless you go to the expense of modifying an old style tank to the internal pump and pickup assembly. I went with an external pump.

You'll need to weld an )2 bung into the exhaust piping at the proper spot to get a good reading.

I ended up converting to serpentine belt drive brackets and components. Due to the age of the old 76, I had to do some creative powere steering hose end swaps, but that shouldn't be the same for you. I also got an adapter plug harness to allow the newer 105 amp alternators to mate with the original charging harness.

Finally, depending upon setup, you'll need a speed sensor/adapter to provide a speed sensor signal to the wiring harness.

I currently have 1 never used SLP wiring harness for a SD TPI setup using the 7730 ecm. I have a Howell prom burned for the TPI setup on my 400. And I have a Speed sensor pickup that in my case adapts to the transfer case mechanical speedo cable boss, and also provides the proper pulse count for the 7730 ecm.

 

""I currently have 1 never used SLP wiring harness for a SD TPI setup using the 7730 ecm. I have a Howell prom burned for the TPI setup on my 400. And I have a Speed sensor pickup that in my case adapts to the transfer case mechanical speedo cable boss, and also provides the proper pulse count for the 7730 ecm.""

And you'd be asking how much for the above wiring harness? I might be intersted in the VSS as well

 

8mike9

Just sent you some info.

Kevin

 

Kevin,

Would you mind PM'ing me? My Earthlink account is screwy these days.

Thanks

 

Kevin,

I got your email, but can't reply...send me your phone number, I'll give you a call.

Thanks