TPI done....It Runs!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MikeS · 07-30-2005, 05:18 PM

Finally finished up the TPI install today....and it actually runs! Pretty well in fact

I started it July 4th weekend and worked on it on and off. Installing the in tank fuel pump and plumbing the lines was probably the worst of it. I made LOTS of trips to the local parts stores for all sorts of little bits and pieces. If I ever do this again I'm buying a trashed Z28 or TransAm and pulling the whole thing myself. I got about a 90% complete system off of an '87 Trans Am but it was a 305 so I ended up swapping in bigger injectors and getting the chip reprogrammed. The chip still needs some tweaking (idles way too high) and I need to clean up some wiring but it works!! The throttle response is awesome.

Here are some pics of it and the Tanks Inc. fuel pump.

MikeS · 07-30-2005, 05:19 PM

Got a few parts leftover. Anybody need anything

71RestoRod · 07-30-2005, 05:38 PM

Congrats, Mike! That looks like a really clean install

How does the fuel get into the Tanks Inc. pump well? Is there a trap door or opening that I can't see?

MikeS · 07-30-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71RestoRod

Congrats, Mike! That looks like a really clean install

How does the fuel get into the Tanks Inc. pump well? Is there a trap door or opening that I can't see?

There is just a little hole on the side of it. It was sort of annoying, the whole thing was about 2" to short so I had to fab up an extension to get the well into the bottom of the tank. The fittings just cleared the crossmember on the bed...I was sweating that one a bit.

Jimmy72custom · 07-30-2005, 06:00 PM

Nice job!! I can see allot of work went into the conversion.

LUV2XCLR8 · 07-30-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71RestoRod

Congrats, Mike! That looks like a really clean install

jakeslim · 07-30-2005, 11:27 PM

looks insane! Why did you choose not to set upt the fuel pump externally? Either way, looks too cool

71swb4x4 · 07-31-2005, 12:47 AM

Looks really good.
What did you do for the thermostat housing? That was one of my biggest problems. I ended up going with a Buick housing and enlarging the holes. It comes off in the right direction now.

vtblazer · 07-31-2005, 07:25 AM

Looks great!

So I guess there's still hope for my TBI that's been sitting here in the box for the last 4 years.

Nice work in a cool blazer.

MikeS · 07-31-2005, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeslim

looks insane! Why did you choose not to set upt the fuel pump externally? Either way, looks too cool

From everything I read, the pumps are designed to go inside the tanks. They are pushers, not pullers, and it also helps keep them cool. The other issue was with the fuel pickup. Since these old tanks aren't baffled if you aren't careful you can run the pump dry on turns or angles. That wouldn't be a good thing. This also gave me the chance to clean out the tank, paint it, and the underside of the bed at the same time.

MikeS · 07-31-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Looks really good.
What did you do for the thermostat housing? That was one of my biggest problems. I ended up going with a Buick housing and enlarging the holes. It comes off in the right direction now.

Yeah, that was one of the setbacks in putting this thing together. I originally bought one for a Chevy van that points straight up. It looked good until I tried to put the intake plenum on.

So then I took the orginal one from the truck and turned it 180-degrees and it looked like it would work until I cracked it installing the temperature sensor.
I finally got a Transdapt housing from Summit for $10. http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...2D9468&FROM=MG

It's got the 1/2" hole in it for the stock temperature sending unit.
I basically put it on backwards so it points about 45-degrees towards the valve cover. Then I got a piece of radiator hose with a 90-degree bend in it and cut it down to size. It rubs up against the valve cover so I still need to see if I can find a way to protect it.

Mike C · 07-31-2005, 10:02 AM

Looks great! Makes me want to get mine installed. But other projects beckon...

Keep us updated on your progress.

2wdBlazer · 07-31-2005, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeS

Got a few parts leftover. Anybody need anything

How much for the carb? What size and condition? Are those true HEI wires? How much?

FRENCHBLUE72 · 07-31-2005, 12:25 PM

Very nice work....

c-1072 · 07-31-2005, 03:31 PM

Put me in line for those parts . I need some stuff for a stock 350 and i think that would work fine . got a price ?

smokekiki · 08-02-2005, 11:45 PM

here is a thread on tstat housing for a tpi.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=107057

**hilljob26** · 08-04-2005, 08:21 PM

what about the wiring,isn't there a computer of some sort you need,what exactly did you have to splice into to get it to work,this is one mod that i am really considering,but really need alot more input before going that way,any wise words would help

MikeS · 08-06-2005, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilljob26

what about the wiring,isn't there a computer of some sort you need,what exactly did you have to splice into to get it to work,this is one mod that i am really considering,but really need alot more input before going that way,any wise words would help

Actually, the computer and splicing into the wiring is the easy part of the whole conversion. There are only like 5 wires that actually need to be connected to your truck. But the wiring harness is huge with lots of connections to many different sensors.

This is not something that you want to jump into without doing a lot of research first. It's not all that complicated but you've really got to plan it out and understand how the TPI works and what mods are necessary. There are lots of great resources out there that I turned to before starting this project. I spent about a month reading and researching, another 2 months gathering all the parts, and a few more weekends doing the install (which also included more part gathering).

The best places to start are: www.chevythunder.com and www.thirdgen.org. There are also a couple of good books out there that you should get. One is sort of the standard on TPI (I don't have it in front of me so I can't remember the name) and the other is from Stealthconversions.com.

The easiest way to do this conversion is to buy an entire Z-28 or TransAm, pull the engine and all the associated wiring intact, then part out the rest of it. But I don't usually do things the easy way

If after doing all the research you still want to go through with the conversion, there are a bunch of us here that have done it and we're all more than happy to put our 2 cents in.

Mike

saulgoode · 08-06-2005, 05:07 PM

What kind of MPG are you getting out of your set up?

MikeS · 08-06-2005, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saulgoode

What kind of MPG are you getting out of your set up?

No idea. I've only got about 20 miles on it so far. It's going to be tough to figure for a while because I'll probably be a little heavy on the pedal testing it out

From what I've heard, the increases in MPG aren't very big though.

saulgoode · 08-06-2005, 05:30 PM

So what are the advantages: horse power, throttle response, electronic control?

71swb4x4 · 08-06-2005, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saulgoode

So what are the advantages: horse power, throttle response, electronic control?

I added TPI to my truck, and I would answer yes, yes, and yes. I would also say that it starts a lot easier and quicker.

**special-K** · 08-07-2005, 10:47 AM

EFI is great for off-road.Won`t starve-out on inclines,no float.

2wdBlazer · 08-07-2005, 02:48 PM

Extra parts?

jimmydean · 08-18-2005, 11:34 PM

Ok, I have a few questions. But first, I have to say WOW, that looks GREAT!

Did you do or do you plan to do any changes to the engine? I ask because I'm about to have mine rebuilt and I'm thinking about starting the conversion while it's out.

How much have you spent and where did you get the main parts? (ebay, parts yard, garage sale?)

I have been looking at parts yards and ebay, then run the TPI harness from Painless unless I can get a complete setup somewhere.

07-30-2005, 05:18 PM	#1
MikeS Active Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 197	TPI done....It Runs!!! Finally finished up the TPI install today....and it actually runs! Pretty well in fact I started it July 4th weekend and worked on it on and off. Installing the in tank fuel pump and plumbing the lines was probably the worst of it. I made LOTS of trips to the local parts stores for all sorts of little bits and pieces. If I ever do this again I'm buying a trashed Z28 or TransAm and pulling the whole thing myself. I got about a 90% complete system off of an '87 Trans Am but it was a 305 so I ended up swapping in bigger injectors and getting the chip reprogrammed. The chip still needs some tweaking (idles way too high) and I need to clean up some wiring but it works!! The throttle response is awesome. Here are some pics of it and the Tanks Inc. fuel pump. __________________ The rides: '72 Blazer 350/4spd/Tuned Port Injection '69 Firebird 400/4 speed 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport 4X4/4.7L V8/5 spd/Headers/Jet Chip, etc. Daily Driver 2002 Airborne Zeppelin (roadbike) Titanium frame/Campy Chorus 2004 Filippi Italia S (rowing shell)

07-30-2005, 05:19 PM	#2
MikeS Active Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 197	Got a few parts leftover. Anybody need anything __________________ The rides: '72 Blazer 350/4spd/Tuned Port Injection '69 Firebird 400/4 speed 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport 4X4/4.7L V8/5 spd/Headers/Jet Chip, etc. Daily Driver 2002 Airborne Zeppelin (roadbike) Titanium frame/Campy Chorus 2004 Filippi Italia S (rowing shell)

07-30-2005, 05:38 PM	#3
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 492	Congrats, Mike! That looks like a really clean install How does the fuel get into the Tanks Inc. pump well? Is there a trap door or opening that I can't see? __________________ 71 Blazer / GMPP ZZ383 / MPFI / 700R4 / 4-Wheel Disk / Ground-up frame off almost completed resto-mod

07-30-2005, 11:27 PM	#7
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	looks insane! Why did you choose not to set upt the fuel pump externally? Either way, looks too cool __________________ 69 K5 CST stock- 350, 4speed 77 K5 - 383, auto, 6" lift, D60 front, 14b rear, 39" tsl's,

07-31-2005, 12:47 AM	#8
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Looks really good. What did you do for the thermostat housing? That was one of my biggest problems. I ended up going with a Buick housing and enlarging the holes. It comes off in the right direction now. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

07-30-2005, 06:00 PM	#5
Jimmy72custom Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Willits Ca Posts: 261	Nice job!! I can see allot of work went into the conversion.

07-31-2005, 07:25 AM	#9
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Looks great! So I guess there's still hope for my TBI that's been sitting here in the box for the last 4 years. Nice work in a cool blazer.

07-31-2005, 10:02 AM	#12
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Looks great! Makes me want to get mine installed. But other projects beckon... Keep us updated on your progress. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

07-31-2005, 12:25 PM	#14
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Very nice work.... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

07-31-2005, 03:31 PM	#15
c-1072 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: rochester NY Posts: 777	carb and parts Put me in line for those parts . I need some stuff for a stock 350 and i think that would work fine . got a price ?

08-02-2005, 11:45 PM	#16
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	here is a thread on tstat housing for a tpi.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=107057 __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

08-04-2005, 08:21 PM	#17
hilljob26 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gypsum Kansas 67448 Posts: 1,681	what about the wiring,isn't there a computer of some sort you need,what exactly did you have to splice into to get it to work,this is one mod that i am really considering,but really need alot more input before going that way,any wise words would help __________________ 21 2500hd duramax 58 apache HILLJOB GRAPHIX--for all your graphic needs My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542497 LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=377348 4l60 to an NP205 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...43#post3697343

08-06-2005, 05:07 PM	#19
saulgoode Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 388	What kind of MPG are you getting out of your set up?

08-06-2005, 05:30 PM	#21
saulgoode Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 388	So what are the advantages: horse power, throttle response, electronic control?

08-07-2005, 10:47 AM	#23
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	EFI is great for off-road.Won`t starve-out on inclines,no float. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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08-07-2005, 02:48 PM	#24
2wdBlazer The Blazer King Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Valrico, Fl (Tampa) Posts: 1,212	Extra parts? __________________ 72 2wd Blazer. Its the superbichinest, megacoolinest, superflowinest.

08-18-2005, 11:34 PM	#25
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Ok, I have a few questions. But first, I have to say WOW, that looks GREAT! Did you do or do you plan to do any changes to the engine? I ask because I'm about to have mine rebuilt and I'm thinking about starting the conversion while it's out. How much have you spent and where did you get the main parts? (ebay, parts yard, garage sale?) I have been looking at parts yards and ebay, then run the TPI harness from Painless unless I can get a complete setup somewhere.

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