ok, so try not to flame me or lock out this thread. this is a post about tpi which does pertain to the third gen cars.

looking for something different, cool, fast, but capable of taking the family along im going thru the research of building an awd car. mostly what i have found is that a s-10 4x4 front system swaps into a a/g body frame or the a/g body car fits on the s-10 frame. im still not to far into it. i really want to go stick but not to many 5 speeds work performance wise with transfercases and from what i have seen happen to t-5's with anything over 300hp. so ill most likely go auto. (that and the wife could drive it when i feel like being nice)

so before rolling into transes and whatnot since i plan on buying one built to save me stress i want to know how much ill need for my engine. im thinking 350 4-bolt. probably refreshed with a .30 over bore. im debating on just tossing in a forged rebuilt kit or the summit 355 kit. if i have the extra cash maybe dart aluminum heads but most likely a pair of ported stock 350 heads or vortec if i can find them with a 3 angle valve job. im never sure what cam to go with. and a home ported tpi setup with upgraded injectors. instead of a stock ecu with a chip, im looking into runnig it with a megasquirt system. if anyone has information on stand alone system cars id love to know how they are doing. future goal is a turbo or 2. id like to not have to rip the motor out again at that point. so suggestions are welcome, good info would be great
thanks

 

- sounds good for what you're wanting. The TPI intake is a very driveable/streetable intake. It can make good power(others can make more, but if you go turbo, it'll be a wash for what you seem to be looking for).- You'll have to find an all-whell drive transfer case. A regular 4wd case won't work running continous. - As far as dollars...sit down by the computer w/ your cataloges(summit/jegs/pace perf/competition products/herbert...) and a note pad. Start adding up the things you'll need. If you're gonna boost, get forged pistons(as you stated). Summit and Jegs can easily be beat on internal engine parts. You can get better pieces for less $(afore mentioned companies). - PATC builds awesome trannies(Raptor), you're gonna street it, you'll probably want a 700r4. - You could run a manual(6-speed cheapest for strength) you'd just have to run the transfer divorce (stubby driveshaft/CV/coupler) mount. Then you'd have to get custom driveshafts, but if you build much power(turbo...) you'll need it anyway.
- Thats how I've always done my builds. Just allow around an extra $300-$800 for the things you forget/hiccups along the way.

 

well for startup i figure the tpi will give me tuning practice with the megasquirt and if i go turbo i can always upgrade intakes. im hoping to find a bravada awd transfercase or one from a typhoon/cyclone. im just really curious to what a monte ss feels like with all 4 wheels giving power thru turns