Pauls76

Evening gents,

New to the board. I have a 76 Nova that I am planning to swap in a TPI engine. I picked up an engine out of a 1990 Trans Am GTA. It came with the trans, wiring harness, ECM, Steering column etc. I am just wondering if anyone has done this and if I'll need anything else, I am planning on using the trans to replace my turbo 350.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

http://chevythunder.com/chevythunder%20introduction.htm

http://sethirdgen.org/tpi1.htm#Intakes

Pauls76

Thanks, what I was also wondering was if I can hook up the cruise control as well? I have everything including the steering column which has the the cruise controls.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

I wouldn't deal with the column conversion just too keep vats or your cruise switch you can get one with cruise from a 79 or so or a pontiac omega. If you need help reprograming let me know or there are a ton of people on here that will do it.

Pauls76

The harness is massive. Is it worth the 1200 bucks to buy this painless performance kit
http://www.jegs.com/i/Painless+Perfo...65246/10002/-1

Seems like it would make it allot easier and cleaner to install the motor.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

That's a waste for less you can get a harness off eBay for 250 and a ebl p4

Pauls76

what is a ebl p4?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

Www.dynamicefi.com

Pauls76

since I don't have AC is it possible to just convert this to a more traditional set up fairly easily? Also what is the thing that is directly unter the AC compressor?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

air smog pump, you can buy a delete for it

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-101861...9JV7HD4ANZ2347

Pauls76

since i won't need the AC, Smog pump or power steering pump could I just use the brackets and pulleys off the old engine and transfer it to the TPI engine?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

If your deleting all that don't use the 88-92 serpentine setup. you can use this with a 85- 87 camaro water pump.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...dercoated.html

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

This $250 standalone harness and the '90 computer you already have

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TPI-Speed-De...item20bd8f9e35

Has the output signal for cruise control

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Once all the serp drive parts are gone ,it is just another SBC

FWIW;
If you like the serp drive setup , can ditch anything off the '90 you don't want
( A/c / smog / idler /PS ) etc ) ,
fit a regular SBC pump , use the serp pulleys and just make a old style adjuster
for the Alt to adjust belt tension
Buy shorter serp belt to suit

Pics have PS still in place but you get the idea.

Pauls76

that looks awesome and is exactly what I want. Thanks so much. So I just ditch all the crap I don't want and then buy a shorter belt and the make an adjuster for the alternator. Got it. thanks again.

Pauls76

what kind of intake is that?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

tpis mini ram

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

TPiS Miniram

http://www.tpis.com/parts/view/34

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

The camaro serp uses a reverse rotation long pump and vette serpentine settle use reverse short ones.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

So fit a reg rotation long pump
There are guys on the Vette forums running their reverse rotation pumps the wrong way with above setup and having no problems

mechanic58

Wiring this should be a breeze if you have any wiring skills at all. There's no need to utilize the column from the GTA either. You can spend big money and buy a painless or similar harness if you want to...but the harness you have will suffice and work just fine. All it takes is time and some patience. I've made scads of custom harnesses using OEM harnesses. The first step is acquiring a pin-out diagram of the ECM that you have. Once you have that, you should be able to figure this out for yourself. Some additional schematics will be necessary, however all of that stuff is readily available on this forum if you search for it.

Pauls76

Not sure if this attached will view for you

Pauls76

what I am wondering is if this fuel system set up will work with the TPI engine.