Hi all,

In the market for a Camaro to replace my 89 RS that got wrecked last year.

I'm currently looking at a 1992 z28 that isn't running. I suspect it has been sitting for a while. The seller says the the fuel pump is shot. Apparently, the engine will start (turn over and fire), but is unable to run for any length of time.

I've never worked on a TPI engine before. My 89 was TBI. Are there any problems with TPI's that are common and especially difficult to fix? This will be my project, but I'd like a running third gen with a v8 and a 5 speed before I hit the $2000 mark.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.
-Chris

 

I wasn't very experienced when I bought my car. I've had it for over two years now and the only thing that I've had to do that was a pain because of it being a TPI was the egr valve. But even that isn't too much trouble, just time consuming and getting the plenum to sit in the runners AND bolt in correctly is always annoying. I say go for it, I love my TPI.

 

Thanks. I blocked off the EGR on my TBI and it cured my stalling problem. What I'm worried about is having to drop $$$ into things like fuel rails and injectors.

From what I can tell, TBI units are built like tanks and reliable. I've always shied away from direct injected projects because of their over-complexity. Maybe that's just me.

I read up on EGR block offs before I did it on my TBI. If my understanding is correct, TPI units rely more on the ECM for fuel volume and spark timing?? This would lead me to suspect the ECM would more overtly respond to a blocked EGR in a TPI car. Is that accurate in any way?