I've got an '89 Trans AM with a TPI 305. I've got a 350 from a '76 gmc pickup.... it has vortec heads and a bunch of other sutff that made it put out about 400 hp. In the truck i used an edelbrock performer intake manifold and a holley street avenger carb.

I wanted to know if the TPI intake manifold i have would bolt up to the vortec heads, if not, is there one you'd recommend to replace it?

will I need bigger runners? rocommendations? ...

anything else you think i might need to know before i get started on this?
....i only want to use the TPI if it's going to out perform the carb.... so, i don't want to do anything half ***... i want the best stuff if i've got to replace something.

Thanks :-)

 

You'll be wanting a Vortec base for that TPI. Standard small block manifolds will not fit Vortec heads without cheesy adapter plates and heavy port matching.

 

If the cam in that engine is big enough to produce 400 hp don't waste your time and money trying to use Tpi. Get the miniram III, or get a cam with 215 degrees or less intake duration and the vortec base.

 

what's a miniram III?

 

How big is the cam, list the specs.

 

http://www.compcams.com/Technical/Se...umber=12-211-2
...that's my cam

 

Part Number 12-211-2
Engine 1955-1998 Chevrolet
262ci-400ci
8cyl.
Grind Number CS 270H-10
Description
Intake Exhaust
Valve Adjustment 0 0
Gross Valve Lift 0.47 0.47
Duration At 0.006 Tappet Lift 270 270
Valve Timing At 0.006
Open Close
Intake 29 61
Exhaust 69 21
These Specs Are For The Cam Installed At 106 Intake CL
Intake Exhaust
Duration At 0.05 224 224
Lobe Lift 0.313 0.313
Lobe Separation 110

 

What is that, a Magnum grind?

Not ideal for TPI or Vortec heads for that matter. Unless the Vortec exhaust ports have been worked with you are probably losing power by running a single pattern cam.

 

They make a mini ram for vortec heads?

 

Yeah, Miniram III.

 

No, not exactly.

The funny thing about the Miniram III is that those clowns over at TPIS didnt make it as a bolt-on for the Vortec heads. It is for the Fastburn heads. It still uses the 12 bolt-pattern design, which the fastburn is tapped for. So machining needs to occur for it to bolt-on to the Vortecs.