Motor... Will it work???

[HotRod73]

I bought a 350 tpi corvette motor for 300 bucks for my 87 truck its currently 305 tbi.... how hard would it be to make it a tpi? or could i take off the tpi intake and put my tbi on it and go is that possible so i could get it done quickly???

[82c10]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

I bought a 350 tpi corvette motor for 300 bucks for my 87 truck its currently 305 tbi.... how hard would it be to make it a tpi? or could i take off the tpi intake and put my tbi on it and go is that possible so i could get it done quickly???

yes, i am pretty sure you can just swap intakes, BTW are you sure it is a CORVETTE motor?

[HotRod73]

yep pulled it myself this afternoon from a wrecked one i got it for 300 bucks
guy just wanted it outta the way... i even heard it run... no transmission though i will need it since mine is a th350...

[82c10]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

yep pulled it myself this afternoon from a wrecked one i got it for 300 bucks
guy just wanted it outta the way... i even heard it run... no transmission though i will need it since mine is a th350...

the turbo 350 is still stronger than a 700-r4, but check, and see if your has a lock-up convetor, if it does, chunk it

[HotRod73]

i may sell the motor and save up for a stock motor so i will have a brand new one... i just took it because of the deal that was a steal i thought tpi system on it is worth 150-200 alone lol it runs great too

[HotRod73]

dont know if i got lock up or not

[82c10]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

i may sell the motor and save up for a stock motor so i will have a brand new one... i just took it because of the deal that was a steal i thought tpi system on it is worth 150-200 alone lol it runs great too

i'll give you $150 for it

[HotRod73]

$150 for??? the motor???????? heck no.... pm me if your wanting the tpi system for $150....

[82c10]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

$150 for??? the motor???????? heck no.... pm me if your wanting the tpi system for $150....

yes, and no on the tpi

[HotRod73]

haha thats cool man 150 is too low the tpi alone is worth that sorry dude never selll that cheap

[Russell]

Even if you didn't get all the electronics with that, you still robbed the guy blind, lol

The TBI and TPI speed density harnesses are very similar, and can easily be made to work with eachother by adding a couple wires, and removing a few others.

[gflo383]

depending on the year the TPI is from, the intake center bolts are at different angles before and after 87. also, 90+ TPI is speed density, there is not a MAF sensor, istead it has a map sensor. the earlier TPI systems used MAF.

the TPI swap would be very very easy as long as you understand how and where all the torx headed bolts holding the runners and plenum to the base go. in order to remove the intake the upperplenum and lower base must be seperated. i would just throw in the entire engine in. its probably about 235HP and plenty of torque in stock form.

you will need a computer and harness. a HPHV fuel pump,proper fuel supply and return lines, and everything else will bolt right up.

ive considered doing this swap as well, i have the stock TPI engine from one of my camaros sittin in the garage....

GOOD LUCK, i think it'll be really cool!

[HotRod73]

its a 87 motor and my truck is an 87

[piecesparts]

I have put together a complete 91 vette TPI motor in my garage with an upgrade on the intake base and heads to Vortec heads. I changed the rocker arms to a 1.6 to 1 ratio vice the factory 1.5 to 1 units and have added the larger flow tubes for better air flow. This is aligned with a S&P computer wire harness and distributor. The vette motors are roller cam motors for those years and were rated at 245 HP. With the updating on the computer, the upgrading on the injectors, the improved flow design on the heads, this motor should give about 350 to 375 HP and have a top to the RPM curve at around 5200 RPM, instead of the 4200 RPM ceiling that was noted on the standard L-98 heads. That is a significant change to the original setup and should render a decent fuel mileage over a TBI system. I purchased the fuel pump and the fuel lines from S&P, also. The plans for this is for a later model truck, but there is a desire for those setups.

[HotRod73]

dont know what im going to do at the moment i dont have the wiring harness or computer may just sell the tpi system and put the tbi from my 305 on it then ill have a 350 tbi and be done with it, easy swap... i hope..would i need a different computer if i went from 305-350

[SSC's76]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

dont know what im going to do at the moment i dont have the wiring harness or computer may just sell the tpi system and put the tbi from my 305 on it then ill have a 350 tbi and be done with it, easy swap... i hope..would i need a different computer if i went from 305-350

You would need a 350 prom to run at optimum levels but it's not nesasary. If your truck has a knock sensor yoiu will need to use a 350 knock sensor which should be on the 350 already.

[Russell]

TPI knock sensors are different than TBI, he'd need a brand new one regardless...

Wiring up the TPI system wouldn't be very challenging. Only sensors you are adding is the MAF and intake air temp sensors, and the only one you are eliminating is the MAP sensor. Most of the connectors are the same between TBI and TPI too.

Fuel would be nuts easy for you, just buy a fuel rail mod kit that moves the fuel lines to the rear of the engine instead of the front, and hook your stock TBI fuel lines right up, then drop the tank, and swap a stock TPI fuel pump in, it literally bolts in to replace the TBI version.

The electrical wouldn't be half bad either. The `165 ECM that an 87 Corvette used is the same size and shape as your TBI ECM, and uses the same connectors as well, you could literally bolt it into the factory position behind the glove box. You'd need to re-pin a bunch of wires, add a couple, and remove a few others, but generally speaking, it'd be a pretty painless thing to do.

Your biggest challenge would be in doing the electrical, and I would would be happy to disable VATS, EGR, AIR etc for you for the cost of shipping your memcal both ways, and the cost of a chip and low profile ZIF.

If you are serious about doing this swap, I have personally done it, and know of a number of other guys who have done so as well, and we are all more than willing to give you a hand.

www.chevythunder.com is the best website by far for information about the TPI system.

[82c10]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

haha thats cool man 150 is too low the tpi alone is worth that sorry dude never selll that cheap

i was just talking about the long block

[82c10]

is your e-mail address piolttang, or something like that, i know its spelt wrong

[HotRod73]

nope wilbanks89@cox.net

[HotRod73]

that is tyler guy the truck came from

[HotRod73]

i am currently workin on the 87 and will start a thread and show pics soon its gunna be amazing!! love this truck better than my 73 haha

[82c10]

Originally Posted by HotRod73

that is tyler guy the truck came from

he's got your old truck on craiglist for like $800, i sold my white gt on craigslist, and i just sold a buddys 95 v-6 stang monday night

[HotRod73]

yea i know...

[HotRod73]

hes one i got the orange 87 from he bought it from my other buddy, we all know eachother lol