TPI Conversion Progress/Process

[Captkaos]

I am still gathering stuff for it, will post as I get them.

[olblue81]

Capt Kaos said: The plans for the turbo is it will be mounted under the truck where the current muffler resides.

What's the durability like in wet weather? Just wondering what a hot turbo does when you hit a water puddle. Is there some sort of shield? I've seen the F-body kits in a magazine before and the first thing I thought was that turbo will crack when water hits it and the second was sucking dust from below the vehicle can't be great for air filter life.

[Captkaos]

Well, my twin brothers truck is running an STS system (rear remote mounted)on his and has been for almost 2 years now. It has ran 12.30's in the 1/4 with the turbo, 8lbs of boost, a stall, a intercooler and tune, all on a stock 5.3L with 140K miles.

http://www.gracemotorsports.com/video/STStruckPull2.wmv

His truck was the one used to make their Reg Cab kits, we made it and send the spec to them. There isn't any issues of water getting on it. It isn't as hot as it would be if you stuffed it under the hood, tests STS have done show it is about 500 degrees cooler. The first night we took his out it was raining. When we got back, nothing under the truck was wet, including the air filter that at that time was mounted right at the turbo. The air filter is now mounted in the fender up out of the way. He has cleaned it once (K&N) and is was no dirtier than the one that was in my Jeep mounted under the hood.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Well, my twin brothers truck is running an STS system (rear remote mounted)on his and has been for almost 2 years now. It has ran 12.30's in the 1/4 with the turbo, 8lbs of boost, a stall, a intercooler and tune, all on a stock 5.3L with 140K miles.

http://www.gracemotorsports.com/video/STStruckPull2.wmv

His truck was the one used to make their Reg Cab kits, we made it and send the spec to them. There isn't any issues of water getting on it. It isn't as hot as it would be if you stuffed it under the hood, tests STS have done show it is about 500 degrees cooler. The first night we took his out it was raining. When we got back, nothing under the truck was wet, including the air filter that at that time was mounted right at the turbo. The air filter is now mounted in the fender up out of the way. He has cleaned it once (K&N) and is was no dirtier than the one that was in my Jeep mounted under the hood.

Chris, what kind of price are we talking for a set-up on an 02 Trans Am? I've been reading up on these & really am intrigued. Pontiac High Performance is currently doing a series of articles but they haven't gotten to the dyno yet....

I'm guessing 425+/- to the ground w/6psi & no tune & closer to 450 w/a tune & meth injection to kill detonation. I can't wait for her to want a new car so I can have my way w/this one....

[Captkaos]

Scoti, they retail for $3995. I have some adjustment on it though, if you are interested, let me know.

With 5psi they are getting about 415hp and 450lb/ft at the tire, at 8psi it gets about 500hp and 550lb/ft at the tire.

[wildmanaaron]

Wednesday: recieved the new Blazer EFI sending unit from GM

I have a 1981 K5 that I plan to install a TPI system in. Do you have the GM part number for the sending unit that will work with this set-up? I figure it is the same one that you are using.

[Jonboy]

The Blazer sending unit will work, but you will want to use an upgraded pump on it. Also, you really need teh corresponding EFI Blazer tank, as it has the correct baffles in it. The same tanks were used in suburbans, and those are a lot easier to come by around here.

[piecesparts]

Not wanting to steal, but maybe help. A few years ago, I got my hands on a 1990 Corvette L-98 motor and TPI setup. The TPI had been sent to Street and Performance for a refurbishment and it was still in the box, clean as a whistle. The motor had been hanging on a stand for 10 years, with only 29,000 original miles. I am now getting it ready to put in my 91 Silverado daily driver. To make a story end to this, I read an article on the Scoggin Dickey conversion to a TPI VORTEC motor setup and how it was worth about 60 HP or more. I stopped what I was doing and shifted to this avenue. I purchased the intake base and the highflow Edelbrock tubes along with Comp Cams 1.6 roller rocker arms and I am going for the HP boost over the stock setup. I am also using S&Ps 30 lb injectors instead of the GM factory DELPHI wafer disk injectors. The Delphi units were always a little troublesome in performance, they were replaced with Ford Pintle design injectors. I have a set of those in my wife's 95 Impala SS Lt-1 motor. Runs great. I happen to have the original factory injectors (cleaned and flow tested by S&P), base, and tubes laying around, if someone thinks that they are needed.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by wildmanaaron

Wednesday: recieved the new Blazer EFI sending unit from GM

I have a 1981 K5 that I plan to install a TPI system in. Do you have the GM part number for the sending unit that will work with this set-up? I figure it is the same one that you are using.

I can get it for you tonight. I am hoping to get started on extracting the cab bushings today.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by wildmanaaron

Do you have the GM part number for the sending unit that will work with this set-up?

PN is 25094539.

[wildmanaaron]

Thanks man. So this sending unit will work without having to change the pump out for a higher flowing pump?

What other modifications did you make to your fuel lines?

[ElGracho]

That sending unit won't come with a pump. I'd recommend an AC Delco EP-241 pump. It's spec'ed for the TPI Camaros and Firebirds from the late 80's to early 90's. It's not just the flow rate you worry about, but the flow rate at 40 psi that you need to look at. The throttle body pumps from the trucks just aren't up to snuff for putting out 40+ psi at the required flow rates.

[Captkaos]

As ElGracho said the sending unit doesn't come with a pump, you need the one he listed AC 241 pump. The TBI pump won't cut it.
I purchased all new fuel lines for a '90 Blazer for my Jimmy. You also need an external filter. I haven't gotten to the fuel rails yet, but I will be swapping the stock ones to rear entry (back of motor).

[wildmanaaron]

CAPTKAOS

Any particular reason that you went to the 90 Blazer lines, or just because they are designed for TBI as is the original style sending unit??

Did you use the NON-Fuel injection gas tank?

[Russell]

The fuel injection lines use a special fitting, and since the stock TBI fittings are compatable with the TPI fuel rails, they are very handy to use. Since he is moving the fuel rail inlet / outlet to the rear of the rail, he'll be able to bolt the TBI fuel lines straight up without doing any other custom modifications.

I used a non EFI fuel tank on my 77 C15 when I did my TBI swap, and quickly found out that while it works fine, the pressure built up by the fuel pump makes for a really strong gas smell all the time. I plan on switching to a TBI tank as soon as I find a 16 gallon tank equipped TBI truck.

[wildmanaaron]

I went to Classic Tube's website and couldnt find a listing for sure for those lines. I have dealt with The Right Stuff Detailing before and have gotten free lines in the past from them for my 73 Caprice 454 Conv I had a few months back. They need samples to work with to resell to the next guy. So I figure 87-91 Blazer 2WD models will be looked at in the junkyard next time I am there!

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by wildmanaaron

I went to Classic Tube's website and couldnt find a listing for sure for those lines. I have dealt with The Right Stuff Detailing before and have gotten free lines in the past from them for my 73 Caprice 454 Conv I had a few months back. They need samples to work with to resell to the next guy. So I figure 87-91 Blazer 2WD models will be looked at in the junkyard next time I am there!

You need to call them and ask about it. Any year from 87 - 91 will work, just get whatever year they have...

There were no 87-91 2WD Blazers....

[wildmanaaron]

I feel like a retard now. I knew that there wasnt any 83-91 2WD's but I completely fogot. I guess that you wont have any trouble then with the 4x4 lines fitting on a 2WD then right?

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by wildmanaaron

I feel like a retard now. I knew that there wasnt any 83-91 2WD's but I completely fogot. I guess that you wont have any trouble then with the 4x4 lines fitting on a 2WD then right?

The 4x4 version should work for you.

[Russell]

frame rails between a 2wd and 4x4 are identical, should fit without any trouble at all, less possibly drilling holes for putting straps on the lines to secure them to the frame

[Crank]

Originally Posted by Russell

Also, expect to be pulling sand outta your ears hair and just about any other crevace you don't even know you have for a couple days afterwards, lol

Oh, so it'll be like bootcamp all over again, ah, fond memories of Parris Island and the sand pits.
Brandon

[Captkaos]

Saturday: September 30th: Started on replacing the Body Bushings on my Jimmy. Got the tank dropped, fuel fill removed and PB Blasted the bolts/nuts



Sunday: October 1st: Started on removing the bolts/nuts from the Jimmy. All but 3 came out/off. I had to tack one bolt to the body to get the nut off on the back and I had to cut the floorboard to weld the captured nut bracket back down. I imagine I will have to do the otherside this way also. Should route the new EFI lines once that is done.

[84 400]

nice work. are you gonna pull it and clean the frame or just start running the lines? Looks good can't wait to see that monster done

[Captkaos]

Well, I have the other truck that is having its turn getting torn down. This one needs some serious repair work to fix what the PO screwed up and didn't fix correctly. I am just trying to get it to move under its own power and be driven for now so I can get the 6.0L truck going.

[watahyahknow]

sounds like a verry interesting project .... i'll keep my eye on this one