Ok so I'm at a dilemma here. I bought a 1988 firebird formula 305 tpi that spun a bearing. I can't find any 350 tpis or 305 tpis that are in my price range or that aren't 7+ hours away. I'm looking at buying a 350 tbi motor out of a 1989 (I believe) camaro and throwing my tune port on it. What are the pros and cons of doing this? Is the 350 tbi shortblock the same as a 350 tpi short block? Are the cams the same? Heads? Can I switch all of that over from my 305 tune port? Will it perform better if I do? What all do I have to change to make it run like a stock 350 tpi or better? I tried the search but couldn't come up with the answers I'm looking for. Thanks in advance for all replies.

 

Don't think they ever made a 350TBI so I think the engine specs are kind of a mystery in regards to heads and cam

 

I know they put them in pickups but I don't know if they did in the camaros the guy claims its a 350 though how can I tell?

 

If it is a 305 tbi will it still work and what all will I have to change I'm really thinking about doing this so all help will be appreciated thanks

 

Ok so I can buy a crate 350 tpi for $1500.00 but its gonna take me a while to come up with the extra money to spend on it and I would like to get this car going asap. I have the option to buy a 350 throttle body injected motor from a 1989-1993 (not postive on year of truck) the motor runs good and doesn't smoke or anything. Will this motor work with my tune port, what will I have to change/ switch over from motors and will it run like a stock tune port 350? Also are there any pros or cons to doing this? Are the bottom ends the same? Any input is greatly appreciated

 

you can throw your tpi on what ever, the only differences are the computer chip and the injector size. Grab some 22# if you're going to do a mild 350. I would grab an L98 cam or LT1 cam to throw in the truck motor and move the power band up a little. If you really really wanted to the car will run off the 305 chip, I did that for a while with mine but it ran much better after the tune.

 

Isn't the l98 cam a roller cam with roller rockers? Will I have to change the heads for that? Thanks for the response

 

yes the L98 is a roller cam but so is your motor and depending on the year they had 64cc heads. The idea is to buy a complete motor with the heads on it and go from there.

 

The Heads on that 350 tbi may be swirl port if they are you should r&r ur 305 haeds and use those. Grab a lt1 cam should be able to find one cheap check the boards here. I payed 30 for mine. you can use the lifters pushrods and rockers from your 305 if need. depending on the year the truck blocks had provisions for roller cams but still used flat tappets cams. also you will need new injectors I would step up a little beyond the stock 22# so you have room to grow if you do some mods. Also the knock sensor is different and of course you will need a chip setup for the 350. I went from tbi 305 to tpi 350 I have under a grand in it right now so you can do it on a budget. by the end of this winter i'll have another 1500 in but will have completely redone the top end and be puhing around 325 hp i hope. Do the swap and good luck.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! Does anybody happen to know the years that the truck blocks had provisions for roller cams?