I have a TPI system laying in my garage. What is the best way to clean the whole system and make it look like new? (it's covered in sawdust and cob webs etc..) And how do I identify exactly what it is? Like year and injector size etc..
I've never owned a tuned port before and really don't know much about them so I'm trying to learn because I want to put it in a 85 z28 original TPI car (rolling chassis with all the original wiring). It will be going on an early 70's 350.

 

Castrol Super clean or Purple Power followed by etching mag wheel cleaner. It will look like new.

 

Only difference between a 305 and 350 intake in any year is the injector size

Corvettes have the fuel rail connections out the front ; 3rd gens to the drv side as seen below

85 - 88 have the cold start injector on drv side runner as shown


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90 - 92 intakes have a MAP sensor on the plenum as shown

 

More reading

http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Streetstories/choosetpi1.htm
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Streetstories/choosingtpi2.htm

 

altho TPI was great when new , now some years later, its junk .just try to make it work RIGHT. not well,,, sorta right . go carb and do away with all that FDup mess.take it from me .I have been chasing TPI demons for years and if I had to do it over again I would have passed on my car, and quickly

 

Just because you have problems doesn't reflect the experience of the wider community.

No reason why a TPI should not work as well as it did when new; PROVIDING you have functional parts.
Too many get a junkyard unit , throw it on using the 25+ yo sensors / bad wiring and expect it to work as new
That junkyard carb you got needed a rebuild ; needed to consider the same on a TPI unit.

 

Alright, thanks for all the input guys. I'm going to keep doing research, make sure I have everything and its all in good shape and I'll go from there.

 

I personally think the TPI is a fantastic engine. I read about it a lot for many years, and decided based on what I read that I wanted to own a TPI.

Bought my first third gen with a 350 TPI last september and I love it! There was many problems with the engine when I first got it, but with a Factory Service Manual, they were easy to diagnose and repair. Now it runs wonderful!

In my opinion "slapping a carb on it" are for people who don't understand how to diagnose and repair an electronic fuel/ignition system. Learn how it works, carbs are stoneage...

 

What a pile of crap.

TPI is an awesome induction system for a street engine. Runs smooth with lots of mid range torque, and it sounds great. As a side benefit, those pipes are just beautiful.

 

I bought a cheap tpi trans am with rebuilt engine and transmission that ran like crap for the two guys before me. Turns out they didn't have a single sensor hooked up, not the MAF or even the trans hooked up. Once everything was hooked up and a knock sensor added the thing ran great!

 

Well I've done some more research and looking into the car, and I am going to ditch the TPI for a carb. The car was previously converted to carb before I got it, and some wires are messed with and missing. So I concluded its just easier for me to clean up the existing wires, and throw a carb on my engine. And I've decided against the LSx swap for now to as well. As much as I love the new technology, now is just not the time for it, and I'm going to have a little fun building my old school 350. Thanks for all the input everyone