Hello all, I just signed on and this is my first post. I'm putting together a TPI system and have most everything I need. I'd like for some of you guys who know TPI to give me some constructive ideas and thoughts on it. I'll outline what I have and what I've done so far. I'm on a budget so the parts I detail are whats gonna have to be used.

The engine will be either a 355 or 383. I may build the 383 after Christmas if I can. Both will be the same other than the differances between the 2 engines. The 383 will have the 5.7 rods.

Shortblock:
bored .030 with hyperutectic flat-top 4 relief pistons, Pete Jackson quiet geardrive, Comp Cams XE 270 hyd roller cam (218*/224* .495"/.502" 110*LSA, the 383 will be balanced when built (the 355 is already together & I'm not pulling it apart to balance it).

Heads:
ZZ3 Vette style, mildly port matched.

TPI unit:
'87 MAF system, MAF sensor has the screens and fins removed, stock 48mm TB with TPIS airfoil, plenum port matched to TPIS oversize runner gaskets, SLP siameased runners matched to same gaskets as plenum, stock '87 base (port matched as much as possible), Fel-Pro intake gasket 1204.

ECM & wiring:
I'll use either a Howell harness of a GM harness (depending on what year TPI I get for my other car...argh!..2 TPI conversions to do!), TPIS Level 5 custom burned chip. I may try the stock chip just to see the differances after I get it up & running.

Exhaust:
1 5/8" Hedman shorties with 2" dia collectors and 2" pipe. No cats. (I know this isn't the best setup but it's the best I can do for now.) In the future I may go with some Hooker sidemount headers. 1 7/8" x 50" length (yes...50") into the 4" sidepipes. (Sorry...I've drooled over some like this for many years!)

Tranny & rear gears:
World Class T5 from an 88 IROC into 3.73 posi rear gears.

Any ideas? Thanks and sorry it's so long!

 

I also forgot to add:

22 lb injectors

Emmisions are not a concern

 

1st of all, emissions should be of no concern to you with a 69 Camaro. I think emissions cut off is 76? Second, I personally would NOT go with a TPIS Prom. I would have www.fastchip.com burn a chip for you. Third, I wouldnt use those heads. Fourth, you might not want to go with a cam that has a 110LSA. 112LSA works ALOT better in a TPI setup. Hopefully you can get a Computer from a Speed Density car 90-92 TPI only. I wouldn't use a MAF setup personally. Also, you should consider getting a high-flow base/runner/bigger Throttle body. There's ALOT involved with getting a TPI motor to run well. The HP can be made, but there is alot of tuning and money involved. Good luck with the project.

 

Opps....sorry....I already have all these parts I mentioned. Already have the cam, heads, chip, etc. So how *terrible* is this combo really going to be? Due to finances, this is what I've got to work with.

 

Hi,

I allready responded to your e-mail.

The reason he said a 112 works better is because your ECM
won't be happy with the way the car is running at idle. Your exhaust valve will stay open too long, as far as the ECM is concerned.

As far as your TPIS prom, get the car running first with the stock prom. Then try the TPIS prom. I tried a hypertech prom and it seemed a little better. The Jury is still out on prom burning. But IMO the Jury came back on the TPIS issue and I don't like them anymore.

I like MAF over speed density, except for the MAF sensor itself. Its restrictive. 520cfm or so.

Anyone know those exact head specs?? I didn't have 'em in my database. Runner size, valve side. I know he said 58CC chambers. That seems too small for a 350 head.

I like the GM harness cuz I know where all the connectors are. Have not tried a painless harness.

I second the money thing. It costs a lot to get a TPI car running. Then again, it was 17 degrees out at 2am, and I started my TPI car to move it out of a bay and it started after about a half a revolution of the starter. Thats pretty good compared to every Carb powered car I ever built.

 

Those heads are the vette heads, they can be made to perform pretty well. Just ask Lingenfelter. Of course, we are not him so... you have some work to do on those heads. They will match that cam pretty good though, but I would look into getting the heads ported by someone who knows what they are doing. For the last poster, they are 58cc, at least thats what they are supposed to be. I've had my hands on 2 sets and both were actually less, and I heard the same thing from a few other people. The valves should be 1.94/1.50 and I think the intake runner volume is 163cc.
The LSA on the cam will probably be ok. The duration isnt too terribly high, and if its in a 383 it should work out fine.

 

I may be heading this in the wrong direction for this forum but I don't know enough about computer chips to even know *what* to ask! Ok...the general consensus is the TPIS chips aren't the best in the world. Unfortunately I found this out AFTER I'd spent the $575 for the level 5 chip. With my combo, and not knowing exactly how and what TPIS programmed into and out of my particular chip, any speculation on whether this chip is gonna be as good or a little better than the stock chip or even keep my car from running at all?

I wish I could learn what needs to be learned to custom burn my own chips and for people like I am now, who can't or haven't got the time. I drive a truck over the road for a living and I just have not got the time to spend learning what is needed for the chips. I've spent many years learning the hard parts of engines (heads, cams, etc) but if I'd spend as much time learning the chips then by the time it's learned then things progress faster than I have time to learn it!

Thanks everyone for their thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and patience. I hope this'll be the last question on this.....for me at least. I know their'll be other who come along behind me who'll ask the same questions! hehe

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!