Going TPI
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery, AL
Car: 91 RS Convertible
Engine: 350 TBI
Transmission: Stock Automatic-for now
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi
Going TPI
Hi, I don't know anyone with a TPI car so I've never actually ridden in one. I've read all your stickies and I think I'm ready to make the swap and I just have one simple question.
I'm not chasing ETs or peak HP. I just want to make my RS vert FUN, and to me "fun" means being able to scare passengers by throwing them back in their seat when I hit the gas , and having impressive stoplight to stoplight or 40-70 kind of passing acceleration.
From what I read that is exactly what TPI is good for, and I know it will be relatively cheap and simple to drop in a stock L98. I'll probably buy a complete pull out from Hawk's.
Am I on the right track here? Again I've never driven a TPI car, only read that they are great for throttle response and torque.
I'm not chasing ETs or peak HP. I just want to make my RS vert FUN, and to me "fun" means being able to scare passengers by throwing them back in their seat when I hit the gas , and having impressive stoplight to stoplight or 40-70 kind of passing acceleration.
From what I read that is exactly what TPI is good for, and I know it will be relatively cheap and simple to drop in a stock L98. I'll probably buy a complete pull out from Hawk's.
Am I on the right track here? Again I've never driven a TPI car, only read that they are great for throttle response and torque.
Supreme Member

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: Norwich, CT
Car: '89 Trans AM/'88 GTA
Engine: (2) Tuned Port L98's
Re: Going TPI
Yes, you are right, It is the reason why I still waste my time
with my TPI car honestly. Instead of buying a Honda...
Kidding, Ill never do that, but my point is there.
If your looking for the spine crunch, a L98 or 350 equivalent is a must!
Out of the gate stock TPI cars are very fun if operating correctly and
taken care of. But, after 55-60 miles an hour, it comes back down to earth.
L98's have always been reknowned for its low RPM torque, which makes
it good on the fuel side, less RPM is required to move the car. In town,
I rarely have to get the car up past 3500rpm to catch up with traffic!
Pretty cool I think, now only if it pulled like a LSx on the other side,
the car would be very hard to beat. I think it is a good swap to TPI,
Any other swap has the potential to get too expensive/issue prone
in my eyes, Im sure my opinion will change as stuff becomes more
available at junkyards!
Anyway, stiffen/modify the stock suspension, do some tire shopping,
add minor bolt-on's to the engine with torque in mind and ull have a
blast with your buddies or girlfriends!
with my TPI car honestly. Instead of buying a Honda...
Kidding, Ill never do that, but my point is there.
If your looking for the spine crunch, a L98 or 350 equivalent is a must!
Out of the gate stock TPI cars are very fun if operating correctly and
taken care of. But, after 55-60 miles an hour, it comes back down to earth.
L98's have always been reknowned for its low RPM torque, which makes
it good on the fuel side, less RPM is required to move the car. In town,
I rarely have to get the car up past 3500rpm to catch up with traffic!
Pretty cool I think, now only if it pulled like a LSx on the other side,
the car would be very hard to beat. I think it is a good swap to TPI,
Any other swap has the potential to get too expensive/issue prone
in my eyes, Im sure my opinion will change as stuff becomes more
available at junkyards!
Anyway, stiffen/modify the stock suspension, do some tire shopping,
add minor bolt-on's to the engine with torque in mind and ull have a
blast with your buddies or girlfriends!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery, AL
Car: 91 RS Convertible
Engine: 350 TBI
Transmission: Stock Automatic-for now
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi
Re: Going TPI
Thats what I was hoping to hear. I'm looking for the baseball bat to the A$$, ejecting from an F-16 effect. I rarely get on the intersate more than once a month, so I'm not too worried about high end...
I'm also not the most experienced mechanic, so I don't want to get into something over my head like an LS1 swap.
Good part is I've already done work on the suspension and rear-end, including SFCs and a 3.42 posi, so the car is ready for the torque.
L98 is exactly waht I have in mind, proably some bolt-ons down the road.
I'm also not the most experienced mechanic, so I don't want to get into something over my head like an LS1 swap.
Good part is I've already done work on the suspension and rear-end, including SFCs and a 3.42 posi, so the car is ready for the torque.
L98 is exactly waht I have in mind, proably some bolt-ons down the road.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro SC
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Going TPI
Thats what I was hoping to hear. I'm looking for the baseball bat to the A$$, ejecting from an F-16 effect. I rarely get on the intersate more than once a month, so I'm not too worried about high end...
I'm also not the most experienced mechanic, so I don't want to get into something over my head like an LS1 swap.
Good part is I've already done work on the suspension and rear-end, including SFCs and a 3.42 posi, so the car is ready for the torque.
L98 is exactly waht I have in mind, proably some bolt-ons down the road.
I'm also not the most experienced mechanic, so I don't want to get into something over my head like an LS1 swap.
Good part is I've already done work on the suspension and rear-end, including SFCs and a 3.42 posi, so the car is ready for the torque.
L98 is exactly waht I have in mind, proably some bolt-ons down the road.
I say go for TPI. I ahev just finished a swap myself from carburettor to TPI.
I noticed big difference even if I had a very small camshaft.
If you have any questions at all, just ask what ever you want.
I will try to help you out with your project...
Are you swapping from a 350TBI to TPI?...or are you going to buy a L98 engine to put in??
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery, AL
Car: 91 RS Convertible
Engine: 350 TBI
Transmission: Stock Automatic-for now
Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi
Re: Going TPI
I currently have a 350 TBI. Its a flat-tappet, truck motor. Bought the car like that. It is fairly strong (faster than stock 305 TBI for sure) but it revs like a truck engine. But the cam and other internals, etc are unknown to me and I decided its not wort messing with changing the induction on it.
I would like to buy a complete L98, TPI and all. That should make for a relatively simple install, and less trouble to get/keep it running right. I don't want to build something piecemeal and have to tune it/wonder why it doean't run right.
I usuall spend at least 4 months a year in Afghanistan or the persian gulf, and I don't have a garage, so I don't won't to get into a long project with the car tore apart.
I would like to buy a complete L98, TPI and all. That should make for a relatively simple install, and less trouble to get/keep it running right. I don't want to build something piecemeal and have to tune it/wonder why it doean't run right.
I usuall spend at least 4 months a year in Afghanistan or the persian gulf, and I don't have a garage, so I don't won't to get into a long project with the car tore apart.
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