Cascade Crew

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:13 pm Post subject: TPI Cam trouble?

So if I were to swap my carbed motor to TPI, would I run into trouble tuning because of the large cam?

Gross valve lift: .470
Duration at .050: 224
Lobe lift: .3130

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:42 pm Post subject:

And my car currently has perimeter bolt heads, but the kit says it bolts up to center bolt heads. What do I have to do to convert it over or will it still bolt up?

izcain · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 1:27 pm Post subject:

Depends..... What kind of tpi system are you looking at?

There are two different styles on intake mounting one is Vortec, one is standard

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 1:41 pm Post subject:

If the question is can a stout cam be made to run well with a port EFI intake system then the answer is absolutely yes. Many of the members on here are doing exactly that.

If the question is can you buy something off Summit Racing, bolt it on in your garage over the weekend and be on the road Monday morning then the answer is going to be a lot different.

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:41 pm Post subject:

Well I found this kit on TGR http://thirdgenranch.com/-strse-863/82-dsh-92-Camaro-fdsh-Firebird-TPI-system/Detail.bok. It states it bolts up to center bolt heads but can be converted to older style heads. I'm just running a Gen I block with a holley carburetor and standard intake.

91RSVert · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:48 pm Post subject:

The two heads. The center two bolts are at different angles.

The permiter heads all bolts are at the same angle.
The center bolt heads, the two center bolts are vertical.

you can get a different base intake, but there is a place for a cold start injector on the back of the intake that will need to be dealt with. Older style has one, newer style its plugged up with a freeze plug IIRC.

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:11 pm Post subject:

Well I don't care about the cold start injector, I'll just plug it or if it is already plugged I'll leave it. What I care about is not spending $400 on an Edelbrock hi-flo base plate. Did they make stock baseplates for older style heads? Or conversion kits?

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:13 pm Post subject:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/tpi/174095-tpi-base-plate-early.html

Does this sound about right?

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject:

Oh and another problem.. This engine harness is a MAF setup, whereas my interior harness was a Speed Density harness. Would I be able to convert the MAF harness to Speed Density easily?

91RSVert · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject:

Yes, they make base plates both styles. I thought I implied that by saying the CSI needed to be plugged. But sometimes it doesnt get read that way.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject:

Or you drill the center two holes to suit your needs. Ian even found some nifty wedge washers for it. I never used them though. And ive gone borh ways with intakes. Wink wink.

izcain · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:11 pm Post subject:

a small little notch in the center two on the intake and she will fit like butter as well.

izcain · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:13 pm Post subject:

If your wanting efi you could always just run an ez efi setup or the Atomic efi setup.

You wont have to pull the manifold at all and I have had a lot of experience with those systems and they work really well!

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:22 pm Post subject:

No offense Zac but for the $1100~$2000 price tag of those units you could be pulling and drilling manifolds a week and still come out ahead. Laughing

chevymad · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:28 pm Post subject:

Wiring harness will be an issue. MAF harness will be pre 89 and the harness completely changes in camaros around 90. Found this out the hard way on Flea's camaro.

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 7:54 pm Post subject:

I figured as much. Andy said since the interior harness changed on my year and is a Speed Density sensor that I couldn't use the MAF engine harness. Do you suppose TGR would substitute the wiring harness? MAF for SD? Unless there's a way I can convert the MAF engine harness over to SD.

chevymad · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:32 pm Post subject:

Engine harness is totally different. One car has airbags other doesn't. Wipers are part of one harness but not the other. One has a speedo module other doesn't. Mechanical vs electronic speedo. Power supply diff. It's a real mess. Sd vs maf use different ecms too.

izcain · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:34 pm Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:05 pm Post subject:

You guys are being wiring pussies. Razz

I did a carb to EFI swap on the Mazda in two and a half days and that included a significant rebuild of the harness.

I totally understand what your saying though, Zac. I am a crazy person for wiring and most people aren't eager to dive into it. Laughing

FWIW, as big a proponent of EFI as I am, I wouldn't swap TPI onto any engine in a car, especially not with a cam. The power loss vs. the Holley wouldn't be worth it. Just my two cents.

nonsensekid20 · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:12 am Post subject:

I don't so much care about the power loss. I can build it up later. I just don't like the carb throttle response and the lack of tuning ability. With TPI sure I'll lose out on about 30HP, but in the long run I can gain MPG, throttle response, and I can tune everything about the engine. And it looks badass. If I had the coin, I'd switch to ram jet. However I don't have 3grand to dump into it. I don't have an airbag, so we're good there. I do have an electronic VSS though. I guess I'll just see if TGR will substitute the MAF harness for the SD harness and ECM. Only things I'd need to change out are the injectors IIRC, comes with 19lb injectors and I believe I need 24lb?