tanda10506

Hello. I have built alot of old school SBC motors and LS1's but I just bought my first 3rd Gen. It has the 305TBI and Im going to be swapping that. There is alot of info on this forum for that. But one thing that I heard that I can't find anymore info on is that, from what I'm told, the 350TPI long blocks are the same as the older small block chevys. And that I can use an older block and set of heads and just bolt up the TPI equipment. Is this true?

Ward

iTrader: (1)

Well, yes and no. Yes, TPI is still a gen1 engine, although there are some minor differences between years. As far as factory TPI engines, 87+ had a slightly different intake, for centerbolt heads. The four inner intake bolts go into the heads at slightly different angles than the others. So, if you're using pre-87 heads, you'll need a lower intake from an 85 or 86 TPI setup.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Only on TPI 's from cast iron heads .The vette alum head L98's used the regular SBC (90 degree ) bolt angle on all 85 -91

tanda10506

What about aftermarket small block chevy heads then?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Unless they are noted as a direct replacement for the '86+ cast iron heads (centerbolt covers ) all SBC heads have the regular bolt angle dating back to 1955.
At worst case if you get a intake of a late cast head engine it is only a matter of elongating the centerbolts holes to make it fit the regular heads.Many have done it

The only intake that is not a bolt on without major mods is the LT1 intake

ericjon262

almost all aftermarket SBC heads use the Pre 87 bolt pattern, some use the vortec pattern (8 bolts total, all straight up and down).

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

In which you are up for a different intake base ( $400 ) as the regular TPI base does not fit Vortec heads

tanda10506

Ok. After some researche, I decided I am going to use a 88 Chevy Truck 350 block and stroke it. So if I get an aftermarket set of aluminum heads that are for centerbolt valve covers then the TPI intake will bolt right up to them then?