i just bought a complete tpi setup for my car from a city auction. I got the complete injection, wiring harness, new 5spd tranny and 10bolt rear for 75 bucks...the tpi is missing the distributor and the computer, i was wondering if i could use the distributor i have on my car right now, its a carb'd 350, the tpi is off a 305 so i know i need bigger injectors..will tpi bolt to the old style heads or do i need newer style heads? Im gonna go pick up that tpi conversion book but was wondering what im getting myself into and what im gonna need before i can start the swap...

 

First off congrats on a good deal. The first thing you need to do is find out what year engine/car that setup came off of in order to answer some of your questions.

Look for the cold-start injector (extra injector between the runners on the driver's side).
You can also look for the cold-start passages on the runners or base.

Yes: 85-88
No: 89-92

Look at the center 4 bolt holes on the base. Are they at the same angle as the outside holes, or different? I'm talking about the holes for the bolts that hold the intake to the heads.

Same: 85 or 86
Different: 87-92

Is there a MAF sensor or connector for one on the harness?

Yes: 85-89
No: 90-92

Is there a coil in cap distributor, or a remote coil and small cap distributor? (Since you're missing the dis. look for the remote coil bracket, or the cooresponding connectors for the dis.)

Coil-in-cap: 85-86
Remote coil: 87-92

Is it a v-belt or serpentine setup? For someone getting a complete motor that's an easy answer. For someone getting pieces, you have to look closer. Look at the pulley on the alternator, or the layout of the wiring harness.

V-Belt: 85-87
Serpentine: 88-92

Are there misc. wiring unrelated to the engine on the harness; eg. wiper motor, washer, starter, hood light, etc.?

Yes: 89-92
No: 85-88

That should be enough to identify your setup.

You should be able to use your distributor if you have the older TPIs that use the same distributor. If not, you'll have to change the distributor or the connectors (whichever is easier for you).

Depends on if you have and old TPI or newer TPI. Hopefully you have the older style so things match up to your car more easily. If not you'll have to redrill the 4 center holes on the base.

Don't waste your money on that book [JTR TBI/TPI Swap]. I got it and it was the worst waste of $30 some dollars ever I was so disappointed with that book. They don't get very technical, it's really just a book to show off all the conversions they've done. ("Here's one we crammed into a Volvo. Look at what a good job we did" "Here's one in a Jeep. This one took a while to do but we did it") And I'm obviously not the only one unhappy with the book because someone wrote a nasty letter to them about their last one and they published it in their current one and started "tit-for-tat"'ing back on the letter. I'm sitting there wondering what this childish garbage is doing in a supposed "conversion guide".
If you want a better book, pick up TPI Fuel Injection by I think SAE books. It gets more into what you need to know to make a swap than the alledged "swap" book did.

Plus there's always here..

 

im at school right now and the only question i can answer off the top of my head is that it is a serpentine setup, so that at least tells me it newer the 88...ill go look for some of the other stuff when i get home...thanks

 

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...741563-9830423

Assuming the link works it'll take you to amazon.com and will show you the Chevy Tpi Fuel Injection Swapper's Guide. Buy it. Read it. Then you'll know if you want to do the swap, or if you want to sell the stuff on ebay and buy an LS1 Camaro.

 

Yup, that's the one.. Twice the book at half the price.

 

NO, you cannot use a carb'd distributor on a TPI.

 

I think the dist are different, you may have to use a TPI dist, the module is probably diff also.

 

thanks guys, im sure after i get the new heads and cam and everything and start rebuilding my top end i will have a lot more questions because i'm not to familiar with fuel injection..