Hey guys I woudl like to get a fuel injection setup on my car and i don't have all the money in the world but i do wunna go fast. Now I know TPI doesn't like big cams all that much for some reason. Now what I would like to know is if the intake is changed to a superram then the only other thing left to change in the computer and a few sensors. Now is there a computer on the market for our cars that can handle a came liek an lt1 or a mustang can?? Any info on how to run a nice cam with tpi woudl be great. I am just looking to go low 13's maybe a high 12 if possible. thanks

 

I think you're a little uninformed about EFI. Especially with the TPI system, the stock computer is designed to work properly with the stock engine parts. Any major upgrade (cam, heads, intake manifold) is going to require the computer to be tuned to work with the part. This is no easier than tuning a carb, and is probably harder (seriously). There is no real limit (especially if you're shooting for high 12's) to which cams the computer can handle.....it just has to be tuned right.

Switching to EFI is not the solution if you just "wunna go fast". You can do that with a carb, which you've already got. It think you've got a good start, and switching to EFI will be a step sideways or backwards and will cost a lot of money. There's nothing easier about making power using EFI, just that it's more accurate with fuel and timing. It is very difficult to learn to tune properly, however.

My advice is to stick with a carb system and save the money. Do some research and asking on the Carb forum, they should be able to lead you to your goals easier than if your route went though EFI, at this point.

BTW, it's easier to get a lot of airflow with a carb system, especially compared to TPI, which means easier to make power, basically.

 

Dont go into EFI if you want to save money... EFI is expensive.

All what James said is true and then some. Who ever told you that TPI doesnt like cams, please show them to this board. All EFI'ed cars need reprograming when any type of cam, head, or intake/injectors are chagned.

Carb is cheaper to maintain, and a tad easier to understand, and if you know a lot about it, stick with it. Learn EFI on the side and then one day swap a efi set up onto your car. I see your from NJ. Come join us at the link in my sig and come hang with a few of us.

 

I know alot about carbs and how to get into the 12's with one, I just driv emy car everyday and its alright buit the streetablity of fuel injection is unmatched. I was just curious if it was possible t run some good numbers with tpi. Ok well you guys say all computers need to be tuned to run right afetr a cam or head swap or anything right? Well then why can all my freinds with 80's stangs run big cams and never touch the computer at all? Whats so different about them? thanks for helping me to understand guys

 

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic about our helping you or not, but anyways -

I'm not an expert on fuel injection, but I do know about TPI's. Those mustangs may have a different setup that uses sensors to retune the computer or something similar, but ours do not. We have to do it ourselves. If you think we're full of it and don't know what we're talking about, then get one of those mustangs like your friends, but this is the way it goes with TPI. You are absolutely correct about the streetability being great - EFI really helps on a cold winter morning.

As for going fast, it is QUITE possible to go fast using a TPI system, it's just going to require a lot of parts-matching and computer tuning.

If all you want EFI for is the streetability, and you're set on it, then we won't argue, and instead we'll help you get there and make it fast, too.

I don't know anything about your heads and cam, but they may be usable with an EFI setup. Probably the best way to do it is to buy a Holley Stealthram intake, then use a TPI computer, harness, injectors, and sensors. You can probably do this for less than $1000, compared to other EFI setups that will cost you multiple thousands. If that's too rich for your blood, you may want to think twice about switching. By the way, that Stealthram manifold will take you anywhere you wanna go.

 

Your friends with moostangs can do it because they don't know what they are doing. Just because the car runs doesn't mean that it is running optimally. I can easily stab a fairly large cam in a TPI motor and get it to run. In fact - I can put a 220+ duration cam in a TPI motor and get it to run. That doesn't mean that it is running optimally. Furthermore - the mustanks you are talking about are probably Mass Airflow and not speed density. Thus, those ECMs actually read the incoming airflow and can deal with a more change better.

Right now I am running a mid 230 duration cam in a stock TPI 350 block (intake replaced with MiniRam and heads replaced with AFRs). The car idles beautifully - but with a nice big phat lope.

TPI ECMs can handle a lot ... just like the moosetanks can. However, if you want it to REALLY run then you have to learn how to tune them.

Tim

 

Forgot to mention - you'll probably need a new fuel pump and fuel line setup, along with various odds and ends you don't usually think of. So...

<$600 for Stealthram setup
~$300 for TPI setup from ebay (along with computer, sensors, injectors, and harness, this would include TPI manifold, which you can sell to get money back)
~$200 for fuel pump/lines.

Keep in mind this is all approximate and relative to "the going price", as the used TPI setup is the variable. After selling the TPI manifold back, you should be able to do the swap for about a grand.

I've never done this, and can't guarantee any of it, but I think it's been covered a LOT on the boards, just do a (Carb* + TPI) title search. There may even be a sticky on it.

Keep in mind that if you want to save a lot of money, you can ditch the Stealthram idea, but it is the cheapest and easiest way to get your car back "up to speed", so to speak. A lot of guys squeeze power out of the TPI by buying aftermarket runners and base and doing a lot of porting, but buy the time you've done all that, you're past the cost of a Stealthram.

What do you think?

 

werd...

 

My TPI is for looks, and emissions with excellent performance & street manners. Racing is an art that requires a talent that I don't have, and deep pockets, but that doesn't mean I can't go fast.
Times have changed and it's very dangerous (and expensive, fines, loss of license..etc) to race on the streets, and it's almost impossible with todays traffic, unless you're well outside the city limits, or have a small car for zipping and weaving through traffic ( which increase the chance of losing control.)

If I'll really have a need for speed I'll go to the track once in a while just to scratch the itch.

I'm old school, except I'm very into EFI, because my background is in electronics, but my attention span goes to zero after 12 seconds of full throttle, so if that's all that matters then carbs give me the most bang for the buck in a straight line.

To me there's nothing sweeter than the rumble of my 88' IROCZ T-Tops off, cruising, outside the city limts, 5 miles over the speed limit, and Hotel California playing on the Radio as the sunsets.

So, if you need speed, and want EFI, then an LS1 would be my choice.

 

Yes, well thoes LS1's just grow on trees dont they.