It looks as if I am finally going to get my engine swap....I have a 305 TBI that i am going to replace with a low-mile 90' TPI 350...The 350 is totally complete down to the wiring harness.I am still an "amateur" here and will pay to have this done.Therefore, I need to have an idea of how much this would cost....Is this a difficult job for a motor-swap savvy person?My dad says that i should not go with the TPI and just put my TBI on the 350...What do you guys think? Oh...Im getting the engine complete for $850.all opinions are greatly appreciated...If anyone has done this swap...please e-mail me and give some info..darbster88815844@cs.com
thanks

 

cmon guys...help a youngin out

 

The TPI has the wiring harness already with it...Does anything on my car need to be changed to accept this?Basically what I'm asking is, does the computer need to be changed or anything else? and how much would i be looking at paying for doing so?

 

anybody?please ?

 

If you want to know how hard it is, I went from an 87 4bbl to 87 TPI on my Formula. Read all about it on my web page. http://www.3rdgenformula.com after the splash page on the main menu page on the left click on "modifying my Formula" you will find it in there.

Doing a Camaro is different than a Firebird, I did Firebird.

Other than the obvious, intake, engine, wireharness, and ecm. You WILL need to change the Fuel pump & Fuel Lines. I am pretty sure, not confident, that your dash wireing harness will work with the engine wire harness, check the plugs, and see if the wire colors match.

If you go back to TBI, consider selling the TPI stuff, ECM, intake and wireharness on the internet (*ebay), if its in relly good condition you can get at least $250 for it.

John

------------------
87 Formula Yellow/Black
Engine & Transmission
.040 over 5.0 converted to TPI, 9.5:1 Compression, SLP Cam Dur 206/212, Lift 480/487, Cent Line 112, SLP 1 3/4" headers, SLP 3" cat-back exhaust, K&N Airfilter, Modified Stock cold air intake, Ported & polished Stock TPI intake, Holley Adjustable Fuel Press regulator, most of the Free mods.
Gil Younger (no yo-yo) Shift Kit, Aluminum Driveshaft, 3.73 Posi gear
Suspension & Brakes:
Baer 12" brakes 4 wheels, KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks & struts, Hotchkis strut tower brace, SSM frame connectors, Custom reinforced control arms and pan hard bar.
Interior:
Custom Leather interior, CUSTOM Yellow Gauge Faces, Kenwood Receiver, Pioneer Speakers, Kicker Substations, Kenwood 10 Disk Changer, Pioneer Amp.

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

1967 Buick Riviera 430hp Turns high 14's (Not bad for 4300 lbs)

83 Camaro (Parts)
83 T/A (parts)

http://www.3rdgenformula.com

 

So you do have to change out your old ECM when going from a TBI to TPI?IF so, hope I can find one for cheap.

 

YES, If you do a conversoin correctly.

However, I think, there is someone out there doing conversions for Truck TBI to Multi-Port, where you use your stock ECM, All you need is some adapters. Been a while since I've seen it. AND I am not sure it will work with a F-body.

John

 

I think that $850 complete with everything needed to make the switch is a decent price. I personally would not keep the TBI because I am actually pretty decent with tuning the TPI I have. You can make some really nice numbers out of a TPI motor and still get decent gas milage. TPI is kinda difficult to learn but once you learn it the fun begins. A friend of mine is making a TPI swap (not a full motor) and things are working out fine. You will need to get a new fuel pump off a TPI car but the fuel lines should be fine to use. The computer will need to be changed as well. And if you have the wiring harness and full motor it wont be that hard but if you take it to a place that you dont trust you may get screwed big time. I am guessing if everything goes smoothly you should get your car back in 3 days. At least that was how long it took my friend to get his back he had a motor put in along with wiring harness and all.

 

I'm buying the engine tomorrow.The engine is a "one owner" with 25k miles. I'm purchasing it complete with TPI and wiring harness for $850.And get this I'm getting the motor installed for $300....and as an add on his gunna install my heater core for $75 more...this is just because im buying the engine from his friend and I'm in need of a break so hes gunna give me one.Damn I am one happy boy....but I'll be even happier when I see this all happen.

~jason~
305 TBI
88 camaro SC

 

I know this is kinda an off the wall question, but would it benefit me any to stroke the motor to a 383?all the motoe would need is a 400 ci crank right? just curious.

 

awwww...cmon anybody ever thought about doing this?

 

yeah but it would be costly in the machine work. You would then have to tear the engine down and add clearance to the block for the extra stroke the 400 crank gives. It's up to you what you do, it's your car. I would personally worry about getting the 350 TPI in, and then once your famular (SPELLING) with tpi then tackle the 383.

------------------
89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire hope to get running soon
Flowmaster exhaust

 

okie dokie..thanks for the info