Is it possible to build a 383 TPI motor and put it into a 89 Camaro, and have it pass smog in california? (i mean a somewhat stout 383, at least 400 hp+ around 10.5:1 comp)

 

I dont know if the numbers for passing smog are the same in Cali as they are here in HoustonTex but a neighbor of mine owns a speed shop here in Houston and he showed me a trick that worked for me twice. I have what you stated above. Before I left for my trip to the sticker station I raised the Idle On my Tpi to stay between 8 and 900 rpms because the motor is tuned right and new it passes with flying colors at high speed but fails like all race cars do at idle. By the way I dont even have a catalythic. When you allow your car to idle a little higher the motor tends combust the fuel a little more effeciently. It might work for you as well.. But if it doesnt you can always pay some more to get it to pass

 

400+ flywheel hp? I think that's possible. My understanding is that 10.5:1 compression is going to be your upper limit. You're also going to be limited in how much duration you can run in your cam.

You should understand, however, that past experiences with modified tpi setups netted very flat hp curves in the 300hp range (at the wheels). Some guys have made it above that. 400hp at the wheels with tpi is going to be tough... emissions or not. This is the nature of tpi!

Spend some time reading this thread. Lots of info for what you're trying to do.

Good Luck!

 

Well would running the comp lower around 9.5:1 be better or what, what would make it possible? Also you say low hp around 300, thats not bad. But what was the torque on those engines as well?

 

I just got back from the dyno emmisions here with the new motor and it passed with flying colors. its a 383 10:3:1 comp TF heads SR , 219 cam and LS1 injectors set to 29.2 constant. Motor only has 40 miles on it.

 

I passed in TN with the same combo as above. Just make sure that all the parts you get have that e.o. number on it for the smog *****, since you have a visual inspection. With no visual inspection, anything goes as long as you pass the sniffer.

 

Ca cars cannot run enough cam to get that kind of power with a TPI setup. Our sniffer tests are more stringent than any other state, because the original cars were on tighter CA emissions standards when they were built. We also only have 91 octane gas, and all smog parts must be present and functional, and in their original places.

Sorry, but that's reality. Nitrous is your only realistic option.

Troy
So Cal

 

There are people who run the superram, 219, 383 combo in Cali. As long as the pieces that can be seen have the e.o. exemption, it doesn't matter what's in the motor, right? The emissions test might be more strict, but with the right chip tweaking and some tricks, it should be do-able.

 

It will take a Superram to break into the 400+hp range.

However it holds CARB certs and will get you through emissions.

A street solid roller cam from Crane would give you a damn tight idle, people have passed a buch of different cams though.

Forget about LTR and 400hp will be no problem.

My Edelbrock E-Tec 170 385 motor with a Superram and CC 224/230 cam is making over 400hp at crank, you should be able to hit the same ballpark with similair parts.