Building a new engine for my truck and i'd like to go TPI i think. What is the best stock TPI setup (ie what years and vehicles) that you can get, and what is a good price to pay for a complete, ready to bolt on setup? How about with the complete computer and harness too?

Thanks

 

i would deff go with the later years of a L98. 1990-1992 ( Corvette/ Fbody from my understandin there lil diff between the vette and Fbody i think the fuel rails was one of them, correct me if im wrong) THey brought out 245hp and 345lbs of Tq out of the factory. I dont kno the answer for other question tho , sorry

But swappin TPI on a truck is a good idea

 

Unless you have injectors, get one from a 350 car with the bigger 22 lb injectors. 90-92's are speed density TPI cars. They dont handle mods as easily as mass air flow cars but on a proper burnt chip, they will do great. I hear speed density systems have more potential than mass air cars cuz of better ability to read incoming air. Also MAF sensor is bit of a restriction when power levels go up.

Ebay is good place to find them, or at swap meets. Search for TPI intake in descriptions of items too. You can find some good setups for around 100-500 bucks depending on what is included and what condition. $300-400 is good price for everything, with harness too, but some go as high as 600 so be carefull and see what is included. Might score one with aftermarket runners or intake or throttlebody.

 

alright great thats just what i was looking for. So you're saying that a 90-92 L98 corvette speed density would probably be considered as having the most potential to handle bigger power, but also is slightly more difficult to tune? If i end up finding the parts individually, what computer should i look for?

Thanks

 

You should be able to pick up a complete TPI setup with ECM and harness for under $500. I'd buy new injectors just to be safe. do you have a budget you are trying to stick to or just to do it as cheap as possible?
Personally, if there is hood clearance, I'd get a Holley Stealth Ram intake/fuel rail setup, new injectors, and a 90-92 TPI harness and ECM and some fuel line.

I've got a TPI setup that I may be able to sell. It came off of an 86 Camaro that we put the Stealth Ram onto.
It has the intake base, runners, plenum, plenum extension, and fuel rails.

 

Budget is not of huge concern, but obviously given that the more "cost effective" i can be, the better.

Would the stealth ram be good for atruck application, ie lots of low end grunt? To my knowledge there is the TPI, TPIS, stealth ram, miniram and superram. About all ive gathered between them is that the super ram is a better torque producer than the miniram, and even then im not positive. Engine "goals" are around 375hp and 450 ft lbs, but thats on the conservative end. If i can get more, keep it down lower in the rpms and have a nice flat curve i am all for it.

Thanks again guys

 

Since you're looking to upgarde to EFI, no reason to spend a dime on a TPI setup, whether MAF or SD, both are inferior to aftermarket components you want to upgrade to.

i/e, I'd only be looking for a wiring harness and ECM from astock setup...considering you'll want to upgrade the base/runners/injectors anyways.

 

Ooops, sorry, didn't notice your last post...but see you mehtioned a SR...more to my point...why spedn 300/400/500, and ditch the majority of the intake?

Select the intake you want, and build around it.

 

HSR prolly best bang for buck.
I'd take the miniram over the hsr if I was building that type of
setup, and money wasn't a concern.

Stay away from any TPI based setup, including the super-ram.

If your into all out HP building, you can go with a Victor EFI,
or similar single plane EFI manifold.

-- Joe

 

so i should avoid the TPI setups? What exactly are the differences? I was leaning towards TPI because everything ive read up on has suggested it would produce great low end torque, which is what im looking for in my truck. BTW im not sure if i mentioned it, but the engine will be a 383. Are all these after market setups (Super ram, mini ram etc) big $$$ or are they pretty comparable to a stock TPI setup?

 

Factory put TBI, then in later years Vortec setups on trucks.. The torque issue is missleading..

-- Joe

 

sorry if there was some confusion on the whole thing. The situation is this: the 350 TBI in my truck is pretty gutless, and some over this winter me and mydad will be building a new 383 to drop into the truck next summer. Right now the truck is lifted on 33"s, but next summer it should be on 38"s. I want as much possible low end grunt as i can get, so i was thinking of scrapping all the TBI out of the truck and putting TPI on the 383 that will be transplanted in, then doing all new wiring and computer stuff. sorry if there was confusion on that, im not really going for speed since its a big 4x4 truck, just grunt.

 

I'd put the TBI on and run it until you get the motor broken in.. You could give TPI a whirl, but I don't think you'll be happy..

-- Joe

 

anesthes: what is it about the TPI that you think i would dislike? Most everyone i have spoken with said TPI would be a good way to go, but if it has some big drawbacks then TBI is still nice and simple and reliable.

 

The list is endless. I spent a long time trying to prove TPI was a good setup.. That didnt work out soo well. I sold off everything.

EVerything from lagged throttle response, to airflow restrictions.. It just isn't right.

-- Joe

 

I'll add...

Lowwend is great, especially in a 4WD, but if the lowend is all in by 3500, what do you have?

okay...

Enough thinking...

You have a........

 

Its funny how this is a TPI section and everyone will usually respond on how bad they are. The title to this section should say just toss out your TPI and get something else. Or the section should just be eliminated all together since TPI seems to be a waste according to every response you get in this section. But on the tpi defense Ive seen quite a few corvette 383 lingenfelter tpis pull low 11s 1/4 mile times as well as some superrams pulling high 10s.

 

so rather than TPI, what would ya'll recommend. If the thing pretty much shuts off at 4500 or something, not a big deal to me since i doubt ill ever be racing this thing. Mostly im concerned with the idle-3000 zone which is where my truck usually stays right now. I would like good throttle response though, so i guess thats something to think about. Given these wants, will TPI suit me or do i need to look to something else andif so, what? I also want to be able to tune this thing myself w/a couple pieces of software and a laptop.

Thanks for the input guys

 

I've run both the StealthRam and a modified TPI/SLP combination and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt a long tube runner intake system will fit what you're wanting MUCH better.

I wouldn't run a stock unit on it,,, unless all you REALLY want is off-idle to 3000 throttle response. A modified TPI system would still give you massive throttle response and allow you to pull a decent RPM. Modified meaning you need to know what you're doing with a grinder and can FULLY port (not just gasket match) the stock base, or you'll need to buy an aftermarket intake. Summit has the base intake on sale / in their clearance section right now. SLP runners for $260 will do what you want with knocking the divider down to around the half point,,, and you'll need to gut a stock plenum. If all that's too much hassle,,, try finding a SuperRam system on eBay or in the classified section here and at other Camaro boards. That'll work better for what you're wanting than the StealthRam also.

I like the StealthRam for racing,, but if I never, or rarely raced the car,,, I'd run the TPI for the throttle response the car had with it. Loads of fun,,, and most of the time I picked up in the quarter was due to traction problems with the TPI system,,, that the StealthRam "cured" - by killing a mountain of torque at and around my stall speed.

 

so the on other big thing i guess i should ask, are all these aftermarket systems street legal and willthey pass smog? im in ca so its kind of rough. thanks

 

18 Wheeler?

My Vortec truck sees 5k regularly. Called merging on the freeway. I also hall a 5500lbs boat with it, and its a 5spd.

Torque this, torque that. You wan't something practical, unless ALL you do is climb hills.

-- Joe

 

I think everyone has gotten over their own personal hurdle and come to realize that truth is more important to loyalty.

-- Joe

 

With your 383 and big wheels, torque is your friend. Superrams will pull to 5500 rpm with little or no work. Although expensive, it will make great torque and power. Seen it done many times. Also, Arizona Speed and marine has huge runners for TPI systems. If TPI is what you decide on, then defineately buy aftermarket base, runners for that 383. I didnt know you had 383. Need some more air so aftermarket is only way out. You maybe able to pull to 5000 rpms but have massive torque. More like 375hp and 500 lbft.

 

so whats the going rate on the super ram, and is it legal in CA?

If i go TPI, i should upgrade the runners and lower base but keep the stock plenum?

Yea and ummm.....................................500ft.......... :hail:

 

It's not that TPI is bad....thing is, if you're converting to EFI, there's no sense in buying a stock TPI setup[....the origial title suggested that's what the original poster was looking for.

Since there are so many other better alternatives with TPI (as opposed to "stock"), why spend money and pay for a stock base/runner/injector combo? Just get a wiring harness and ECM and go aftermarket, IMO, when doing a conversion.

 

I think a full SuperRam intake (base/runner/plenum) will set you back about a grand....look for a used setup in the calssified...saw a good setup in there for about 700 or so, with injectors and other stuff as well.

You can't use a stock plenum with the SuperRam, but, you can use the SuperRam base, Acccel Hi-Flow runners (diferent than the SR's) with the stock plenum.

Yes, the Super Ram is smog legal in Ca., but you may want to be sure about yopur year/vehicle, I only know it has the CARB EO #'s for the F-Bodies.

 

So the complete SR setup should go for around a grand? Used right? I just checked LF's site from another thread and saw the superram kit 3999 and i was like woah, maybe ill pass.

If the super ram is legal in CA for a 94 vehicle that is a huge plus. Also, does this thing run off of a "stock" TPI computer that i would have to accquire seperately, or is it another beast in and of itself? Is it something that all the DIY tuner guys tune, or is it more complex and not worth the time? And the power band on this thing is like idle-5000rpm? Sounds fine to me.

 

The tpi is where the torque is. That's all they're pretty much made for. Low end grunt and lower rpms. The hsr and pretty much all the other intakes sacrifice torque for higher rpm hp.

 

I understand the limitations of the TPI but for what he is looking for I would say get a stock base and plenum for cheap and port the junk out of them (do a search and you will find lots on porting) and then go with some SLP runners. Then get the 730 or 165 ECM depending on if you are going to go with SD or MAF and the wiring harness to match, or just buy a MAF one and if you decide to go with SD you can repin it. From what I understand the SD harnesses are not cheap and it is really easy to repin the MAF one for SD.

Once ported out enough you should be able to pull to 5500 rpms but will still have 450+ lb/ft. Of course that is just my opinion, and as everyone knows opinions are like @ssholes...everyone has one.

 

The super ram on lingenfelters site and in summit is way overpriced in my opinion but you can get an edelbrock base plate for TPI and then buy upper plenum/runners for superram. Find the baseplate on ebay for 200-250 bucks and then purchase the superram uppers for like 500-600 or so. Whole new superram for 800 or less. Edelbrock base may need porting and some work to match with superram but is cheaper alternative. Also Ebay and classifieds can find cheaper used superrams for 700 or 800 bucks. I passed on one that was slightly used with injectors and stuff for 725 bucks cuz I blew my tranny and needed that fixed.

Yes, stock tpi computer will work with superram but like always you need to tune it right. It is emissions legal for f-bodies and I dont know about legality of engine swaps. Like is it legal to go LT1 with all the controls with that engine and put it in a thirdgen and be emissions legal? I dont know but dont see why it would cause a problem. Depending on visual inspection and the like. Since it has all the emissions devices it should pass. They do make the superram for the 93-97 LT1 cars to give them more torque down low, so deffinately a good intake design especially for your application and emissions legal for newer cars.

Like Darkhorse89 said, You can go that route. With the right combo of parts, you can stay TPI and make your power. It might be cheaper too. All you need is a stock plenum for either the speed density system or Mass air flow one, depending on what you want. As far as I know, no aftermarket plenum designs except superram. If you go Mass air, find one from a 89 so you can get rid of the cold start injector, but if not, use the injector or plug it. You can get that for 30-50 bucks or so at swap meets or Ebay. Then upgrade to bigger base and runners. eBay is great for prices but not a guarentee purchase. I hope this helps.

 

alright thanks guys this all sounds pretty sweet. I think what im hearing is with good porting the "stock" TPI can run up to about 5500, and a SR can spin to about 5800. Even when i stomp on it now, my truck rarely sees 4000+, that i think either one tops out above my limit anyway so they could both work out great. I guess is will come down to legality, price and availability.

 

Price wise the TPI is going to be cheapest hands down. About legality I am not sure since I live in a state that has no emission laws what so ever.