i was given a 1988 350 tpi engine done right up with about 8 to 10 thousand in the engine and tranny. it was given to me because it blew
a head gasket and my freind had enough and did not want to spend any more money on it .I was wondering because another friend has a edelbrock manafold with a holley 750 on it for free if i want it .Should I convert to a carberated engine and can I convert I would really apreciate help on this one thanks .

 

The chevy small block is a great platform in that you can swap all kinds of different parts onto it form other SBC engines. Carb, TBI, FI, its really up to you and your plans for the engine/car.

Now everyone has an opinion about which is better and for what reason so im not gonna get into that, im sure you will get 10,000 posts on that subject. What i would be concerned about in your situation is the extent of the damage to the engine. Can you get it back into running condition for less money than the parts to swap it over to carb? BTW i believe you will need a different distributor to go along with that carb swap. HEI with a mechanical vaccuum advance.

You didnt mention whether or not he gave you the comp and wiring harness for the engine. Does your car currently have TPI? 8 to 10k into the engine/drivetrain, i would have to assume there is some pretty significant reprogramming done.

If it was me, and my car already had a TPI harness and comp, id keep the TPI.

 

converting to carb is something im planning to do with my IROC, but not because itll be the easy way out, but because itll be the cheapest way to get power. and thats the case with me. BUT, if your engine has had alot of work on it, and your simply trying to get the car on the road, id try to diagnose the TPI system before jumping boat and going carb, although going to a carb can be had for less that 500 bucks. theres alot of other stuff that has to be done. like running a regulator so you can lower your 40 psi fuel pressure to a carb friendly 8 psi, also youll have to get a new distributor thats HEI with a vacuum canister, you must also wire something up so you can engage the torque convertor lockup (if you have an automatic.)