I have probably screwed up this attempt already due to being lazy on the research part but I am hoping to find out for sure

I wanted to try a 3rd Gen TPI system on a Gen 1 sbc that I am building for a 65 C20, I found a near complete system from a 87 IROC that had been modified for install in an older pre emissions vehicle; good price so I bought it.

Aftermarket harness and factory ecm came with it (modded to delete emissions and VATS) and Ford 22 lbs injectors were installed.

In shipping the distributor and MAF sensor were damaged, my search to replace them led me to a wealth of information on this site, thanks to all who post here.

I will probably have many questions as I try to get this going but replacing the distributor is next on the list.

The stock distributor is readily available but I read that the corvettes of the same year used a coil in cap distributor on their tpi system; I would prefer the coil in cap distributor but I don't know if it is compatible with the 87 IROC ecm?

I also have to buy a MAF sensor so I was wondering if there is a better than stock option I should look for since I need one anyway?

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you to all those who have archived such valuable tech info on this site!

 

You might post in the classifieds wanted section for a used Bosch maf.
you can use a 85-86 f body coil in cap same as 85-91 vette coil in cap. I think the vettes used melonized gears in 87.
To wire the icm just match the four color wires.
you can purchase a flat four connector on eBay or mouser.com for the icm connector.
its made by packaged electronics or Delphi.

 

Very good, I will shop for the 86 F body distributor if it just needs a simple mod with the wiring

The MAF that was damaged in shipping was a Bosch, is that about as good as it gets for these systems?

 

Have you given thought to converting the system to a speed density setup? Lots of info here, I'm planning to do the same when installing the TPI from my 88 parts car onto my 85. The MAF sensor is a fairly expensive item to replace. The speed density setup uses a MAP (manifold air pressure) to measure vacuum and extrapolate to engine load. Pretty basic and just a few tables to learn how to program. Also, the sensors are dirt cheap and readily available in any pull-a-part scrap yard.

Along those lines, have you considered programming needs? Without getting to deep into the weeds, if you are going the route of speed density, I'd recommend pulling a 16197427 computer from a 94-95 GM truck/SUV. Uses the $6E program mask and there is a large community that has made this easy to program and use. A few hardware changes need to be made to run it with the TPI batch firing of injectors, but nothing awful. Tons of info here and under gearhead-efi.com. Hours upon hours of reading await! Just one way to do it. Not sure if you use the MAF system if you can get away with no re-programming.

 

I have the parts you need
I am in Anaheim

 

That sounds interesting, my engine is not too extreme but I am building it a bit more stout than the engine this came off of; I assumed the modded computer he sent would be sufficient to run the cam in but I expected to have the tune addressed before I got it right anyway.

Does changing to the speed density eliminate the MAF altogether or does it still need to remain in the system?
I have goofed around a little with tuning through hptuners but I understand with this system that doesn't work; does the 95/96 ecm eliminate the chip in favor of writing directly to the computer?

 

I will PM you!

 

The speed density (SD) system replaces your MAF sensor with the MAP sensor that measures vacuum. The '7427 computer i mentioned still requires chip burning, so some investment required there. It a lot, there are some pretty cheap ways to do it. I found a great deal on a APU1 Autoprom device from Craig Moates so have been using that on all my tuning. Tunerpro is free software and absolitelky amazing for tuning these computers.

​

 

That looks great, I will do some research on what I need to go this route; I am sure the ability to tweak the tune myself will make all of it a lot easier!