My friend has a TPI from an 87 Formula and is wanting to put it in an 76 Chevy because he says it will produce a lot of torque. Here's my questions for you guys. Would this be an easy job for him, and would it really do better than a carb? I'm tryin to convince him to sell the TPI to me.

The TPI doesn't support alot of horsepower over 4000 (stock)RPM. So if he winds it up alot, uses a moderate to big cam and adds stall, stock TPI wouldn't do (unless ported). He would also have to wire the engine compartment with a harness specifically for that vehicle. Truthfully, yes, he'd probably like the carb, but it's not nearly as torquey as TPI. TPI also get's better mileage (usually). I hope you're doing this (at least) partially for his good as well, TPI is a good setup. For a modded motor, I'd recommend a stock ported plenum with aftermarket components. If he wants over 300 RWHP, stock TPI is not the ticket. All comes down to choice and preference.

The TPI swap would be fairly easy if you have all the wiring harness from the 1987. I adapted one from a 1986 camaro for my setup.
Yes the TPI will make alot of torque and the EFI will make it smooth to run and good mileage.

If you have the exact engine, and you compare a TPI to a carb (heads, cam, exhuast all the same), a carb and decent intake will make more peak HP that a stock TPI, but the TPI will make more lower end torque. Judging by the 1976 chev truck, I would guess it is heavy and the torque will be more of a benifit than the higher RPM HP of the carb setup.

If he already has the TPI setup, why not use it. Find a external fuel pump, mount it on the frame, hook up your wiring, and away you go.

The TPI has great eye candy appeal.

Mark.

I converted my TBI 94 Silverado to TPI. Would I do again, hell no because of the pain in the butt is was for the 2 ECMS, new one for the TPI, and had to keep old one for the transmission. Your buddy won't have that problem though.
Throttle response and torque is much better than the TBI. Gas mileage is about 15mpg.
In order to get the full benefits of the TPI, be sure that the lobe separation on the cam is no less than 112 degrees, otherwise there will be big problems in tuning the sucker and lots of detonation if the timing tables are not done properly. Found this out the hard way, now I need new rod bearings!
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So, if converting from a carbed motor with no other ECM, then I'd probably do it.
Be sure to also have all high psi fuel lines.

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Rob
High Performance & Party page
Pics of my rides past & present and recent party pics!

89 TTA #426 20th Anniversary turbo 3.8 bone stock
94 Silverado Tuned Port Injected
87 Grand National- lil' ole V6, 12.40 @ 108 w/1.79 60'
95 Trans Am Conv.- LT1

Rob (2QUIK6), did you convert the fuel rail to hookup in back or did you lengthen the fuel lines to hookup in front?

Hey, I see you're in Ft. Worth. Gonna see the race this weekend? I was there last year with my friend and his kin.

Wes

I converted my 92 to tpi, i cut off the line in front and plugged it, tapped the rear of driver side,used earls fittings, steel braid line for pressure and return. Earls makes a fitting that goes from steel braid to tubing,you will have to flair the tubing,i barrowed flairing tool from speed shop because a&n fittings have a oddball flair,i think its something like 47 degrees.

Thanks Mike, I'll try that.

I have 2 more questions for those who have added a tpi. First, did you just lengthen your throttle cable or is there a GM application that's just plug and play?

Second, for those without the computer controlled trans, do you need to retain the stock ecm or will the new ecm (730) take care of all the truck's function (ie abs codes)?

I have a 89 305/th400 and have the complete 350/th700R4 from a 92 that will be installed.

Thanks
Wes

On my 92 i used a camaro throttle cable, its a little long but it works.Sorry, cant help you on the auto,mines 5-speed. Mike

Actually I think you can help with your 5-speed. If your stock ecm doesn't control your transmission, are you still using it to control other functions of the the truck while the new ecm is just controlling the tpi or is the new ecm running everything and the old ecm discarded?

Also, where did you get your chip programmed and do you like it?

Wes

Hi.Dont know your situation on smog compliance,here in Cali its pretty tight. I didnt want to cut my oem harness to splice in wires,might sell truck someday. So i installed the Street and Performance integrater box and harness.The referee even made me install the computer controlled cannister.The chip is from them and ive had no problems yet.Im using the 1227730 ecm(speed density) vehicle has full emissions.What are the particulars of your swap?Do you need emissions?I Like the box and harness though.No problems what so ever.And back to TBI is only a days work away.

[This message has been edited by Mike635 (edited April 03, 2001).]

Think twice before you do that swap. My buddy did the same thing on his '83 Chevy truck and it was a serious pain in the *** . We are not new to engine building or swaps, either. My friend actually built the 350 from scratch, then spent the better part of a year finding all of the custom parts required for the TPI swap. He's running Accel DFI which made it easier, but there were so many things he had to fabricate, modify, move and replace. The fuel pump was a major pain. The way the truck frames are, you can't mount the pump low enough to get proper flow. It had to be moved several times to get it "just right".

Bottom line is that it's very difficult to swap modern TPI into a truck that had a carbed 305 and very little computer controls. TPI was never meant to be installed on an old truck, but it can be done if you have lots of time, money & patience.

And again, we've both been wrenching on cars for about 10 years!

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'92 RS, ZZ4 10:1 350, Edelbrock 6085 heads, Crane 208/214 467/482 cam, GM/LT4 1.6 roller rockers, Edelbrock Hi-Flow base, runners & 52mm TB, SLP/Jet-Hot 1-5/8" headers, Catco 3" cat, Flowmaster 3" catback, Hughes 2500 stall converter, stock 700R4, Auburn Pro posi w/3.42, 17x9" SS rims w/BFG tires, Medium Quasar Blue w/white SS stripes, 48,000 miles....

Mike, I appreciate all the help you've given me. I looked at the Street & Performance site and think the integrater is what I need. Since I'm installing the complete engine and tranny (305/th400 out & 350/th700r4 in) I like the advantage of just plugging in the box and even having the option to yank the combo out and use it in another project. Here in Hawaii we have no smog inspections.

Scott, I'm familliar with the setup of an '83 because I'm helping a friend restore an '86. This thread started with a question about a '76 but I thought I'd keep all the truck questions together for the sake of the f-body guys. My truck is a '89 and I think the '88+ makes the TPI upgrade easy.

From what I've learned here and web pages and magazines I'm going to outline my project. If anyone has suggestions please let me know.

-change fuel pump to higher psi unit
-replace the low pressure braided hoses (about 24in.) to high press. braided
-convert fuel rails as described by Mike
-replace throttle cable with a Camaro unit
-move trans crossmember rearward to 700r4 position
-plug in VSS
-get yoke and driveshaft from junkyard or dealer
-piggyback integrater to stock ecm and plug in wires

Seems simple
Wes