I recently purchased an 87 350 TPI formula with the "performance suspension". I did a quick search for info regarding performance mods and I found one post that linked several articles most of which were no longer any good. My question: is there a good comprehensive source for tuning and modifying 350 TPI cars? I know that such literature exists for Ford EECIV systems and I'm hoping that a good source exists for TPIs. My goal is one HP per cube on the 350 engine while maintaing excellent street manners and creature comforts. I feel this is a very attainable goal. Are there any sources/companys that provide parts lists to work toward this goal? I haven't searched yet but I assume there is a good source on this site for RPO codes. I want to figure out what suspension I actually have. Thanks!! Yes, my other car is a Ford Maverick with a fuel injected 340 horse 5.0 liter crate motor!

 

you have WS6 suspension all Formulas and GTAs had this as standard equipment. It's the best factory suspension on Firebirds--and some would say, Camaros (which did not have WS6)

With a good intake, heads and cam 350 is doable.

http://www.moates.net

My car is runing Tuner Pro R/T from them

 

thanks for the link, another simple question, would the 87 350 formula have the 5.7 HO decal on the hood power bulge? finally, I would think better exhaust would be part of the equation above, true?

 

The best learning site I've found for learning to tune TPI is close. Go over to DIY Prom section and go through the tutorial about a hundred times. It'll pay off ten fold.
Ron

 

My 89 350TPI had the power bulge hood and didn't come with a 5.7L decal. I do know that you can get a 5.7L decal on the web though.

Headers and a free-flowing exhaust would be essential to that equation. After all, what good are upgraded intake, heads, and cam if they can't breathe well?

Hope this helps!

 

thanks for the replies

 

hell, an HSR and full exhaust will get you near 300hp on the motor... a simple cam swap will get you 350 hp and drive just fine. port the heads isnt necessary but a mild clean up is worth 15-20 hp...anyone can do it...it seriously is just a mild port clean up with a grinder to gain 10 cfm or so and 20 or so on the exhaust side.

cheap LT4 hotcam and intake upgrades will get you close to 350hp on motor or near 315 at the wheels

for tuning look into moates.net for their chip adapter, burn1 programer and aldl cable for datalogging... read up on MAF tuning in the DIY adn you'll be set to do a 350 hp reliable daily driver motor

 

Still all that chip burning junk and make the move to OBD II. The link is on the top of this forum.

 

I am bringing this one back.

87350formula: If you were asking about books, here are two that I have and found very usefull:

1) How to Tune & Modify Chevrolet TPI Engines by Jason Scott

2) How to Tune & Modify Chevrolet Fuel Injection by Ben Watson

However, this thirdgen.org board is your best source for advice and understanding how TPI cars work. Dont give up on this site, even if you did not initially get as many responses as you were hoping for. There's about a dozen guys here who could write their own books.