hi i would like to know how many people have a tpi g body ?
what do u guys like and dislike about them now that u have them ?
some pics would be nice for ideas since mine is not done yet .
thanks chad

I have an 88 tpi in my 1982 El Camino SS. In retrospect, it is a lot of work and knowing what I know now, I would probably put a crate motor in rather than a tpi. There are a lot of details to deal with, like wiring, computer, prom, fuel pump, fuel lines, etc. The tpi looks and runs good, but not worth all the extra effort. Opinions are a dime a dozen and you have my ten cents worth. Good luck. Let me know if you decide to go with the tpi.

I have one 86 Monte SS with a 350 TPI & 700R4, and a I have another 86 SS with a 95 350 LT1 & T56 6 speed trans.

Scot

I'm also currious about the tpi swap. My old man is looking at getting a new truck cause his 88' 3/4 ton chevy is way to rusty. The motor was shot when he bought the truck and we rebuilt it. It's a 350 and was bored .060 over. He said that since the truck is basically junk other than the motor and trans that I could have the moter. which has less than 80,000 mi on it. So I guess what I'm asking is how hard was the swap, and do you think it's worth it? If i put it in I'm going to pull the heads off and have them milled to up the compression a lil, and probally throw an intake manifold on. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.

Also I was wondering where you put the comp, and if you used the stock wiring harnes. Obviously I can take any thing off the pick up I need for my swap. I just wondering now cause if I do the swap it will be some time this summer.

Also i was thinking about just pulling off the manifold and puttina a carburated manifold on and like a 650 double pumper. Is that a better idea, or can't I do that to the 87 and newer block?

He said that since the truck is basically junk other than the motor and trans that I could have the moter. which has less than 80,000 mi on it.

Also I was wondering where you put the comp, and if you used the stock wiring harnes.

since you have the engine and trans you're already ahead of the game. The wiring is kind of a nightmare,though.I put an 89 tpi in mine.There wasnt a huge horsepower gain but the driveability was worth it in my opinion. as far as the computer goes, if the one you buy has an elctronically controlled carb, then there is already a computer in the passenger side kick panel.If not, get a kick panel from the bone yard from a Malibu/Elky. I think 82 is when they started putting computers in the Gbody.

You will get much more hp out of an LT1 or a crate motor,but it depends on what you want to spend.

You will
want to get the wiring harness/computer/prom/etc from your dads truck if you do the swap as they are all matched together

Sorry I must not have been too clear in my last message, I'll try and clarify. I currently have an 83 ss (yes it's a real one) with a 305 and a 4brl q-jet. The truck with the tpi motor is a 88 chevy 2500 (3/4 ton) It's the one that's bored over and what not. I was considering swaping that motor into the elcky in place of my bone stock and wore out 305.

My question was when swapping have you guys swapped the harness out of the donor vehicle and used that comp? That's what I'm guessing you did. I was also wondering what all the 88's computer will control, will i confuse it if i don't use the trany from the 88. That one is a truck 5spd with a lot of miles and a lot of slop between gears, ok for a work truck, junk for performance.

Also can i change the 88 350 to carburation by swaping in a manifold and carb and pulling things such as the egr. (don't worry i don't have to pass emissions and i know removing emissions equiptment will make some of you freak but it won't hurt things any more than all the old farm truck by me)

I hope that clears things up a bit, and I'm sure you guys can help thanks.

I purchased a wiring harness especially for the car/engine/trans and I got a computer and prom that was compatible for my use at the same time. I gave about $300 for all of it. It has detailed instructions, but is still a whole lot of work. I spent another $150 for the hi pressure fuel pump and materials to modify the fuel lines and tank. I spent quite a few bucks buying new sensors (oxygen, detonation, MAP) since the engine was out of a wrecked Camaro. It seemed like I was spending several dollars at every instance where there wasnt an exact fit. Bottom line......HAVE PATIENCE AND BUCKS if you decide to do the swap.

I am pretty sure that you can remove the tpi intake system and replace it with a regular intake and carb, which is exactly what I would do, even if you used your old Q-jet setup which can be made to run really good and the spread bore looks real good with gas at $2 plus. My El with the tpi and modified sensor system loves the gas!!!!!!!!!

I have an 90 tpi on my74 elc.I used wiring from 90 TransAm works great.eprom came from Custom EFIs

Trucks never had TPI motors, they were TBI.

Yeah I kinda realized this earlier this morning. Oh well, just another time I was talking like an idiot. So what do you guys think about a tbi swap? woth it or change to carb?

An 89 Trans Am GTA was used as the doner for my 84. In addition to the 350 TPI, other components were used such as the steering box, sway bars, etc. Plus, the engine has been mildly modified. The GTA seats were reupholstered to match w/ GTA steering wheel and other stuff.

I have no complaints with this conversion BUT, it WILL be more difficult than certain other conversions. It is a very good performing and good looking engine and parts seem relatively cheap.

There are a few books available on this conversion. Unless you're already smooth on the electronics, etc., I would definitely research the entire project before you jump. If you plan to convert it, do it up front. It would seem difficult to not use this combination since you already have it at hand.

Truth is that most of us would install a different engine if we were Jay Leno and had no obstacles. Who among us would turn down an LS7, the new NorthStar engine w/ it's 6 speed trans, or some of the exotic crate motors.

Keep us posted on your progress.