I have been wanting to install a TPI setup on my 85 T/A for awhile. Originally an L69 car, it currently has a cheapo Jasper 350 installed that has a crack in the block. Not horrible yet, but it is shortening the timeline to work on the engine mechanicals.

Car comes with the T5 (non-WC) and 9-bolt with 3.70 gears. Even with the low hi-po Jasper, the car is fun to drive! A few years ago, I polished up a factory TPI system, including runners, plenum, and TB. Figure now is a good time to finally get them installed on the car!

My plans are to either source a used L98 block as a starting point for the bottom end. From there, looking for ideas on good head/cam combos that can balance the low RPM grunt of the TPI with the steep gears.

The car is only used for fun cruising around the area. Not needing gobs of power, reliability is the most important factor.

The AFR Enforcer line appear like a nice setup, going for roughly $1000 for the pair. Not sure if AFR 180 or 195?

I can program chips to get the combo dialed in with a WBO2.

Would greatly appreciate any thoughts!

 

The tpi is the instant restriction no matter what head you go to. The Enforcers or other import castings are probably the best suited if you're sticking with a tpi, but even then it's strangling the heads. You're still going to be peaking hp at 4500ish rpm. Below that I'm sure it'll feel speedy. Though that works against the 3.73 fairly quickly. I find that to be too low a gear on a tpi but others prefer it.
I'd recommend you ditch factory tpi setup for a FIRST or HSR. Cam in the 220* range (maybe more, I'm not the best to talk to for cams) and any suitable aftermarket head and you'll crush anything you could do with a factory tpi manifold.
I'm sure you're already aware the T5 is the next weak spot. I'd also suggest looking into alternatives even building a warm factory tpi. I’ve had a warmed 350 in front of a WCT5 for a long time but I'm sure I could blow it to pieces if I tried, the nonWC was even weaker.

 

Thanks for the response! I agree on the T5 - will not be driving the car hard so hopefully not going to stress the trans too much.