New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
#1
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Car: 1992 Trans Am WS6 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
Hello all, I am new to the TPI world. I have owned 4 3rd gen trans am's and i am now on my first TPI. I have a 92 T/A convertible with the 305 TPI. I am looking into doing a heads, cam, and intake swap on it along with full exhaust. I have been reading many threads and trying to research things on my own and I am just getting confused and frustrated. This car is not going to be a race car, I am wanting something I can go cruise around town with all my buddies. I am wanting it to sound well and have a somewhat lopey idle but not sacrifice drive ability (I.E large stall). I have been leaning towards the trick flow super 23 heads but I'm not sure that will work with the Chevrolet ram jet intake i am looking at as well. I also have no clue what cam specs to go with either. I would love to get some input on what H/C/I combinations everyone else is running or for someone to point me in the right direction. I am a LS guy and have thought about swapping it but there is just something pulling me away from doing that. Thank you for the help in advance.
1992 Trans Am WS6. 305 TPI Convertible
1992 Trans Am WS6. 305 TPI Convertible
#2
Re: New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
I'm not sure I'd ditch the TPI on a 305. probably will make it a lot more sluggish on the street unless you plan to run upwards of a 3.73 axle ratio. it doesn't have the cubes or the long stroke of the 350, so short runners may be a detriment if you're mainly building an around-town street driver.
#3
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Re: New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
It's hard to really say where a cruiser stops and a race car starts. One mans race car is another man's cruiser. But that being said, you can do a LOT for your driving experience with a rear gear and proper stall converter. -all without going "big", and staying WELL within reason for a cruiser. Exhaust is a given, but after that I believe I'd look at stall and rear gear. ....or why not just go with a manual for fun factor?
#4
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Re: New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
I don't understand why you are being pulled away from an LS Swap. Once you do a H/C/I swap you will lose the look of the TPI, probably have as much coin into it as a used LS, and potentially still make less power. Especially if you throw a cam in the LS1 to get the sound you want, the LS is going to make more power.
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Car: 1992 Trans Am WS6 Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Re: New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
The only reason I am hesitant on a LS or LT swap is that there is something in the back of my head that tells me to keep it a 305 TPI car. If i was going to swap it i plan on a L86 with the 10 speed.I will have someone do the LS swap since I do not have the tools or the time. I have had several quotes ranging from 10k to 14k. But I am thinking i am more along the lines of a set of the Trick Flow Super 23 175cc heads with the 56cc combustion chamber to raise the compression. Now the cam i am not too sure about. Do yall think the compcams 280h is a little bit too much for this motor? Also it is a Hydraulic Flat Tappet cam, should I find something more along the Hydraulic Roller line? I am looking for a decent cam with around a 110-112 lobe separation. Also I will keep my TPI and just do the port matching and see if I can get my hand on some SLP runners. I will be adding a small stall and I will definitely beef up the rear end. Do yall think the stock Auto will be okay with these mods?
#6
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Re: New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
If you want a 305 then the tfs 175 small bore heads are about all you can get for small bore sbc’s
stay hydraulic roller.
Cheap would be find a used lt4 hotcam. It works ok, still driveable
or try an equivalent comp xtreme energy grind 218/224 or 224/230 as max imo
find slp runners and match the base to runner and head. Or get lucky and find a aftermarket base and get it.
Will need computer tuning so look into getting the hardware for that
stay hydraulic roller.
Cheap would be find a used lt4 hotcam. It works ok, still driveable
or try an equivalent comp xtreme energy grind 218/224 or 224/230 as max imo
find slp runners and match the base to runner and head. Or get lucky and find a aftermarket base and get it.
Will need computer tuning so look into getting the hardware for that
#7
Senior Member
Re: New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
The only reason I am hesitant on a LS or LT swap is that there is something in the back of my head that tells me to keep it a 305 TPI car. If i was going to swap it i plan on a L86 with the 10 speed.I will have someone do the LS swap since I do not have the tools or the time. I have had several quotes ranging from 10k to 14k. But I am thinking i am more along the lines of a set of the Trick Flow Super 23 175cc heads with the 56cc combustion chamber to raise the compression. Now the cam i am not too sure about. Do yall think the compcams 280h is a little bit too much for this motor? Also it is a Hydraulic Flat Tappet cam, should I find something more along the Hydraulic Roller line? I am looking for a decent cam with around a 110-112 lobe separation. Also I will keep my TPI and just do the port matching and see if I can get my hand on some SLP runners. I will be adding a small stall and I will definitely beef up the rear end. Do yall think the stock Auto will be okay with these mods?
More specifically to your question about the cam, I too like the LT4 Cam, but you will need to change the runners for it to work well. My brother had this in his built TBI car with a manifold swap and pulled really strong to north of 5800RPMs and caused no vacuum or idle issues. It will not work efficiently with a stock TPI Base/Runner.
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#8
Senior Member
Re: New to TPI.. Need help with H/C/I combo
Here is a good ARTICLE on a 305 build. This is with a Carb and they mention in here that the TPI's would start to be a restriction. A lot of their gain came in upper RPM's and by allowing the engine to breathe at the upper RPMs. The power output they achieved is roughly a mild LS territory. Which is very good. So, if you want to put the money into a 305 and stay naturally aspirated, this is about the best you will do. A TPI will require a new intake system to get to these RPM levels. Also, I think you will find you will need to step up injector size and will certainly need a custom tune to run it.
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