I went to the 4th gen world for a bit ( 1 month ) and I couldn't believe all the ant-TPI talk. Also, their boards are full of LS1 punks as well. So I sold the Formula and I'm back the Thirdgen world to stay. However I never actually got to mod any of my TPI cars. This time will be different. I want a ***** to the wall TPI car. There was a '86 vette running stock TPI into the 11's at the race track my friend says. He's a diehard LT1 nut and usually jabs at TPi when he gets a chance, but he said he was floored when he saw that TPI Vette do 11s with stock TPI.

I decided to get an L31 block with a Vortec manifold. I will retain the stock runners and plenum. But I will need a cam to match the powerband and obviously springs and retainer upgrades. I can look that up on my own. But I want to know what this particular setup can do at the track and dyno. I'm looking for mid-12's with the motor and full exhaust. I'll get the propper stall to go along with it as well.

But I need some times and dynos as well as problems you guys have run into.

 

i really wouldnt use the stock runners and plenum. scoggin dickey's vortec TPI with the LT4 hotcam is said to make 357hp... but i've seen 270's at the wheels with stock runners/plenum. aftermarket stuff is necessary to get all the potential out of those heads. there is no reason why that motor well tuned with a decent cam cant make near 300whp +.

I'd like the comp XR269 grind cept on a 112-113 lsa or so.... i think the xfi268 would work ok with 1.5 rockers but the lift is kinda high for vortec heads. you'd need to get the heads setup for higher lift cams but vortecs dont tend to produce much gains in flow over .500 or so lift from flow tests i seen. but i do like these grinds as far as duration goes. some guys on this board are making great power with those cams or similar cams.

 

Although I never left the 3rd gen world, I messed around with a LT1 4th gen.
After a year and a half, I am glad that I don't have it anymore.

I am looking to do a vortec tpi as well.
I want it to look mostly stock.
GM High Tech Performance did a vortec tpi build just a few months ago.
It was spread out over 3 or 4 issues.

Super Chevy recently did a 383 tpi build as well.

Both had very respectable numbers.

 

Interseting...
I have a SDPC vortec intake on the way and I just saw an L31 in the paper for sale. Anyone done this already? I have been buying pieces for my future motor. A vortec headed 383 LTR TPI motor. I could throw that in for the mean time. HMMMMMMMM.

 

there are tons of ppl who have done the vortec TPI combo. just look around the search