Hey everyone, just wanted to know if or what the differances are between an 86 TPI and 92 TPI. Reason being is that I am getting ready to do a motor swap in my 92 RS and I was wondering if I get a 92 ecu from a z28 and the wiring harness will everything on the 86 TPI hook up. I already know that I will have to change to speed density, but will all other connections hook up. I wanted to go this route so that all my stock gauges will hook up without any problem.



92" Camaro RS L03, 25th anniv. Hawian orchid with silver heritage package. and soon to come 350 TPI, SS hood and custom ram air.

Dean,

The '86 TPI used a cold start injector and cold start thermal control - the '92 did not;

The '86 had a MAF, MAF burnoff, and MAF power relay - the '92 had none of those;

The '92 has a connection for a MAP sensor, whereas the '86 did not;

The '86 had the VSS mounted behind the instrument cluster, the '92 should have had it on the transmission;

The '86 used a single electric cooling fan, the '92 may have one or two;

The '86 used an HEI distributor with integral ignition coil - the '92 had a separate coil;

The '86 had a separate ESC module and the necessary connections - the '92 should have the functions built into the ECM and the detonation sensor connects there directly;

There are probably a few other differences, but those are what I can recall off the top of my head.

One small correction to Vader's post. "Some" of the '86 had the VSS mounted behind the instrument cluster. My '86 Trans Am had the VSS on the transmission stock and still does have the VSS on the transmission.

The Pontiacs had electric speedos, so the VSS will be on the transmission. The Camaros didn't have an electric speedo until 1990, so their VSS is on the back of the speedo.

So basically you are saying scrap the idea of using a 92 computer and wiring harness!!! I have the computer for the 86. But What do I need to do to get all of my gauges to work in the 92 rs.

Oops, my bad. We were talking about a camaro here. So Vader was right.

Gauges should work independent of the ECM.

Everything should hook up fine with the 86 TPI unit.

There are a couple of things that are on the intake and fuel rail of the 86 setup that you won't be using, CSI Switch, Cold Start Injector, and that should be about it.

There are some other minor things you might have to change as well.
Alternator bracket might be different, Oil Pressure fitting might need to be changed ( I am talking about the brass fitting on the back of the intake manifold, not the sender itself)

You will need a new Knock sensor for a 90-92 TPI car if your Knock sensor is different. Do a parts number comparison at a parts store, if the sensors for your car and a TPI car are the same, then no change should be necessary.
You will need to elongate the 4 center holes on the 86 intake so that they match the holes on your heads.

I think that is pretty much all you need to look out for, if I missed anything, please let him know.

I have an 87 TPI setup on my car with a 90-92 ECM and Harness.
Mine was a pain to hook up since I went from a carb to a TPI.