help me choose the path for my TPI
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
help me choose the path for my TPI
alright...so i really wanna get more power outta my L98 and ive come up with three different build possibilities. So tell me which one you would do and why 
1: (Costly Build)
Stealth Ram
52mm TB
BBK FPR
ZZ4 GM Performance Heads
Supporting Fuel Rails
LT4 Hot Cam
1.6 Rockers
GM Performance Valve Springs
Stock L98 Heads (maybe ported)
32# Injectors
2: (Middle Build)
Comp Cam 12-262-4
Edelbrock High Flo TPI Base
SLP Runners (Siamesed and ported)
Ported Plenum
Stock L98 Heads
52mm TB
3: (Budget Build)
SLP Runners
Ported Stock Plenum
Ported Stock Base
52mm TB
The car already has:
1 3/4" Headers
3" Exhaust to Dual Magnaflow Cats
Magnflow Muffler
Custom CAI with a K&N Cone
Good Tune
New Starter
New Fuel Pump
New Fuel Filter
Fresh everything
so yeah, help me decide my build for "The Beast"
Reasons why and why not the others!
Thanks!!

1: (Costly Build)
Stealth Ram
52mm TB
BBK FPR
ZZ4 GM Performance Heads
Supporting Fuel Rails
LT4 Hot Cam
1.6 Rockers
GM Performance Valve Springs
Stock L98 Heads (maybe ported)
32# Injectors
2: (Middle Build)
Comp Cam 12-262-4
Edelbrock High Flo TPI Base
SLP Runners (Siamesed and ported)
Ported Plenum
Stock L98 Heads
52mm TB
3: (Budget Build)
SLP Runners
Ported Stock Plenum
Ported Stock Base
52mm TB
The car already has:
1 3/4" Headers
3" Exhaust to Dual Magnaflow Cats
Magnflow Muffler
Custom CAI with a K&N Cone
Good Tune
New Starter
New Fuel Pump
New Fuel Filter
Fresh everything
so yeah, help me decide my build for "The Beast"

Reasons why and why not the others!
Thanks!!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
ditto 32lb injectors; delete
Just got $500 cheaper
Personally
HSR on stock heads now ; upgrade heads / cam as you can afford it
or a FIRST intake if wanting to keep LTR
FWIW
HSR doesn't cost a lot more than a set of big tubes alone ;
is cheaper than Eddy base / big tube combo
and will spin 1500 rpm higher ( with supporting mods )
Last edited by vetteoz; Feb 20, 2011 at 07:25 AM.
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: sf bayarea
Car: 91 z28
Engine: 350/ported accel tpi/AFR 195
Transmission: t-5 =(
Axle/Gears: 345
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
None
Don't need 52mm TB on 350 ; delete
ditto 32lb injectors; delete
Just got $500 cheaper
Personally
HSR on stock heads now ; upgrade heads / cam as you can afford it
FWIW
HSR doesn't cost a lot more than a set of big tubes ;
is cheaper than Eddy base / big tube combo
and will spin 1500 rpm higher ( with supporting mods )
Don't need 52mm TB on 350 ; delete
ditto 32lb injectors; delete
Just got $500 cheaper
Personally
HSR on stock heads now ; upgrade heads / cam as you can afford it
FWIW
HSR doesn't cost a lot more than a set of big tubes ;
is cheaper than Eddy base / big tube combo
and will spin 1500 rpm higher ( with supporting mods )
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
so it comes down to how much Hp you want and what you are prepared to pay.
Head / cam change could be considered a option with any of the combos you list and the Hot cam cost can be cut by buying a cam with required lift on the cam ;not requiring 1.6 rockers
$330 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WND-7540
$246 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-534-186/
$410 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3860/
$350 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3865/
$350 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3865/
Head / cam change could be considered a option with any of the combos you list and the Hot cam cost can be cut by buying a cam with required lift on the cam ;not requiring 1.6 rockers
$330 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WND-7540
$246 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-534-186/
$410 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3860/
$350 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3865/
$350 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3865/
Last edited by vetteoz; Feb 20, 2011 at 07:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
hmm...well, ill have about $2000 to build with.
guess i should have specified that
and u posted Edelbrock runners, iirc those cant be siamesed.
guess i should have specified that

and u posted Edelbrock runners, iirc those cant be siamesed.
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: sf bayarea
Car: 91 z28
Engine: 350/ported accel tpi/AFR 195
Transmission: t-5 =(
Axle/Gears: 345
Trending Topics
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: sf bayarea
Car: 91 z28
Engine: 350/ported accel tpi/AFR 195
Transmission: t-5 =(
Axle/Gears: 345
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
yeah me too slps look better but i I think the accels look better. The hsr is alot cheaper tho when its all said and done
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
the HSR was my original plan just cuz i like the way it looks 
and the price is right..

and the price is right..
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 14
From: Cypress, California
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: 369 TPI
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.70 Nine Bolt
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
The exhaust appears to be OK. For now I think the best thing to do is keep an eye out for used parts. Edelbrock high flow intake or Accel. Used runners such as SLP. Come to one of our TPI meetings to discuss your options. I think the next one is in mid March. Are you going to be doing the work yourself? If you are not you will have to factor that cost in. The stock injectors are not that great and with this much time on them they need to be changed out. A lot can be done with the car and still be smog legal.
Last edited by 1989GTATransAm; Feb 20, 2011 at 04:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI

The exhaust appears to be OK. For now I think the best thing to do is keep an eye out for used parts. Edelbrock high flow intake or Accel. Used runners such as SLP. Come to one of our TPI meetings to discuss your options. I think the next one is in mid March. Are you going to be doing the work yourself? If you are not you will have to factor that cost in. The stock injectors are not that great and with this much time on them they need to be changed out. A lot can be done with the car and still be smog legal.
injectors are getting changed which ever way i go, probably.
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iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
Car: 1990 G92 IROC Z Miniram
Engine: 388cu 6.4 Liters
Transmission: G-Force T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Gears
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
You know you live in Cali. Do you want to keep it smog legal? Do you want to change the gears? Get a used manifold, runners and cam. Some one local has a ZZ9 cam and may e a Hot cam. Just put the word out for the parts. All these part will cost you mo more that $600. Buy a set of 1.6 roller rockers. Buy a 2800 torque converter.
How a out this! Get all the bolt on parts first like I mention above except for the cam, you will be in the low 13's or high 12's. It has been done before. Super port out the manifold, runners, plenum and get the 1.6 roller rockers, gears and converter. Your $2000 will be done at this point but atleast you will have most of the parts. Save your money for heads and cam later.
Is your transmission built yet? If not, then any extra big power will burn it up.
How a out this! Get all the bolt on parts first like I mention above except for the cam, you will be in the low 13's or high 12's. It has been done before. Super port out the manifold, runners, plenum and get the 1.6 roller rockers, gears and converter. Your $2000 will be done at this point but atleast you will have most of the parts. Save your money for heads and cam later.
Is your transmission built yet? If not, then any extra big power will burn it up.
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 754
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From: CPT (Southern Cali)
Car: 09 GSXR/88 iroc/91 RS B4C
Engine: 600cc/l5.7/5.7
Transmission: 6 speed/TH 350/auto
Axle/Gears: 45tooth rear?/3.23/3.42
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
Factor in another $100 or so for HSR because of the fuel lines.
Get a used aftermaket intake, runners and port them first, if you're doing the work yourself if will take you quite a bit of time.
Get a used aftermaket intake, runners and port them first, if you're doing the work yourself if will take you quite a bit of time.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
okay so its been confirmed...im gonna have about $2,500 to work with by the end of may.
still dunno which to do..id love to do #1 but i was thinking...
maybe ill just invest in a good set of AFR's, stealth ram, good cam, rocker arms, valve springs to match.
still dunno which to do..id love to do #1 but i was thinking...
maybe ill just invest in a good set of AFR's, stealth ram, good cam, rocker arms, valve springs to match.
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
Just say screw it and go with the most powerful combo you can. 
That's my idea on things lately. I originally bought my Mustang as a daily driver, now I'm just going overboard with it. Swapped out the weak stock 5 speed for a 26 spline T56 from an '03 Cobra, plus a Centerforce DFX, Fidanza flywheel, aluminum Cobra driveshaft. In a few months I'm going with a single 70MM turbo kit from On3 Performance, and setting up my fuel system for a lot of power. Going with a return style fuel system from Lethal Performance with twin Walbro GSS342 pumps that are good to 850 RWHP, then eventually a forged 5.0 stroker short block from MMR.. My stock short block won't last past 450 RWHP.
Not sure what I'm going to do with the IROC. Probably the same thing in the next year or two, whenever I'm done with the Mustang and buy another daily driver. Already have almost 10 grand into the Mustang after only owning it since November. At least the IROC will be stroked out to a 383 some day.
Good luck with whichever route you decide to take. May as well go with my motto. "Screw it! More power!"

That's my idea on things lately. I originally bought my Mustang as a daily driver, now I'm just going overboard with it. Swapped out the weak stock 5 speed for a 26 spline T56 from an '03 Cobra, plus a Centerforce DFX, Fidanza flywheel, aluminum Cobra driveshaft. In a few months I'm going with a single 70MM turbo kit from On3 Performance, and setting up my fuel system for a lot of power. Going with a return style fuel system from Lethal Performance with twin Walbro GSS342 pumps that are good to 850 RWHP, then eventually a forged 5.0 stroker short block from MMR.. My stock short block won't last past 450 RWHP.
Not sure what I'm going to do with the IROC. Probably the same thing in the next year or two, whenever I'm done with the Mustang and buy another daily driver. Already have almost 10 grand into the Mustang after only owning it since November. At least the IROC will be stroked out to a 383 some day.
Good luck with whichever route you decide to take. May as well go with my motto. "Screw it! More power!"
Last edited by Shadow Z; Mar 25, 2011 at 10:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
id love the most powerful but at this point, its cost effective.
bang for my buck, if you will.
bang for my buck, if you will.
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
That's why nothing ever got done on the IROC, despite owning it since 2008. Money. I was broke then, so I figure I'll spoil one of the cars now that I can afford it.
Why not go for boost, and see what kind of power you can make on a stock TPI setup, stock cam, etc? That's the huge downfall of TPI, just does not flow well above 4 grand, so force some more air in there.
You could pick up a cheap turbo kit off of ebay for use of the intercooler, cold side piping, turbo headers, the rest of the hot side piping, and replace the cheap turbo with a Turbonetics TN series or something like a Garrett GT40.
Why not go for boost, and see what kind of power you can make on a stock TPI setup, stock cam, etc? That's the huge downfall of TPI, just does not flow well above 4 grand, so force some more air in there.
You could pick up a cheap turbo kit off of ebay for use of the intercooler, cold side piping, turbo headers, the rest of the hot side piping, and replace the cheap turbo with a Turbonetics TN series or something like a Garrett GT40.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 2
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
hmm...always considered forced induction..love the way a atmospheric BOV sounds 
maybeee..turbo stealth ram with a good cam?

maybeee..turbo stealth ram with a good cam?
Re: help me choose the path for my TPI
If you can afford it, sure. But forced induction is a good way around buying an expensive HSR, dropping more money on heads, another cam. It's what I'm doing with the Mustang.
I already know it'll hit around 440 RWHP with a single turbo setup at 10 PSI, stock short block, stock heads and stock cams, stock intake manifold, stock plenum and throttle body, etc. I think with my decently free flowing exhaust setup, and some Steeda underdrive pulleys, I'll be able to safely run around 425 RWHP at around 8 PSI. That's my goal anyway, until the stock short block goes.
I already know it'll hit around 440 RWHP with a single turbo setup at 10 PSI, stock short block, stock heads and stock cams, stock intake manifold, stock plenum and throttle body, etc. I think with my decently free flowing exhaust setup, and some Steeda underdrive pulleys, I'll be able to safely run around 425 RWHP at around 8 PSI. That's my goal anyway, until the stock short block goes.
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