i just wanted to know, besides the intake on a a tpi whats the difference between any other sbc? if you take the intake off of a tpi engine is the rest of the motor just like any other later model sbc? i mean like center bolt valve covers and the intake bolts that go straight down instead of angled?

 

Its only year dependant like other engines, so to answer your question in short on an F-body yes its just the intake thats different.

 

there really is no difference in the blocks themselves.. on 87 and up engines they have a hydraulic roller cam instead of hydraulic flat tappet. In the 1988/89 engines and up they have no provisions for the mechanical fuel pump so carbed is not an option unless your running an electric pump and modify the fuel lines slightly. in the 87 and up blocks they use center bolt heads, but with slight modification you can run any chevy head you want.. hydraulics, rollers and vortecs. Oh and they use different pistons then earlier blocks, ie higher compression..