I'm wanting to do a street rod buildup probably using an antique truck for the foundation. I know that I want to use the TPI system for the engine but I have questions.

1. Can this system be used on say an older 327 or say a 400 small block with success? My experience is only with 305's and 350's.

2. What would be the best year PROM/ECM/MAF system for a donor car for the TPI setup, and possibly tranny setup?

Objectives:

3. Plenty of power when needed with some level of gas mileage for cruisin'. Not for drag racing mainly for cruise comfort.
4. Which mild cam and headers.
5. Which tranny?


I would appreciate any experience, pro's, con's, ideas, suggestions, advice.

Help me plan this engine. Thanks.

 

I'd say, if your not in it for the drags, go with any engine combo you'd like. Or pull an engine w/TPI (350 that is) from the donor car and use it. I would also recommend the 700r-4, as it will make cruzin nice, and help with fuel miledge. Personally, I'd go with a SD system. It will be much simpler to install, and will give a cleaner, more detail look under the hood. Just my .02 cents.

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF, Ported Plenum
TB Bypass, Home made Cold Air Intake,
Edelbrock T.E.S.

 

Sounds like a nice build! If I wasn't concerned with ET's, I'd probably go for a vette L98, just for the alum heads. Aluminum heads would look good in that bay. Instead of looking for a rebuildable core, you may want to invest in a ZZ4, then top it with TPI. You'll need an EGR delete chip so you don't throw a 32. A shop I use to work at had a 57 vette project with an M22 and a ZZ4 with Street and Performance TPI on it and it was a nice ride. Eeek, bringing back memories of installing that Progressive Auto x-member... Good luck Mike!

 

327s like high end RPM. a TPI with 327 is a bad combo witha stock TPI. Might be good if you simesed runners or did a short runner aftrermarket intake. Should be ok with a 400. Might give more TQ than you can use though.

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

Soon to be installed:
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

 

I think a 327 ci would make a nice TPI combo. The TPI intake would give it some good bottom end, and because the 327 isnt pulling in as much air as a 350, you'd have some decent top end power, as its not being choked off as bad. But if you want street-driving torque, go with a 350, 383, or 400.

I would definitely use speed density, its much easier to tune for non-stock applications.


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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Thanks for the replys. I'm still looking for more ideas. I love the 327 engine but I'm not sure how it would do with TPI.

Anyone else wanna' kick in....... Vader where are you....???

 

I will since I'm doing almost the same thing with my 67 Camaro. I already got a sweet suspension on it but I got a crappy motor for now. A 327 is in works since I have the original forged crank (save me $500). I'm goin with 6" forged rods and forged pistons with some kinda TPI or carb/efi manifold and an SDS computer. Eventually I wanna run a Procharger but I figure I'll never be done with car so I got plenty of time. You should check out SDS at www.sdsefi.com I think. They got alot of good reading like how to build turbo headers etc. Feel free to email me ???s if you want.