TPI setup on a 1982
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Well i liked tpi for a great street driveable car,great low end torque.my combination i had only took alittle bit to get dialed in,jeff here on the c4 section made my prom for me and yes it took 3 tries but its on th e money now.Yes they dont flow above 5000 rpm,I could get 5300 with the stock intake just ported to match the sportsman 2 heads.It ran great with the zz4 roller cam 2100 stall 700r4 trans and 3.70 gears.The only reason i even went to a ls1 was cause i got sucked in after driving my brothers 2004 c5,otherwise i wouldve replaced the intake with a stealth ram intake.Some guys have great luck with the tpi some dont.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 474
Likes: 127
From: Stafford Virginia
I really wasn't asking for opinons on TPI but since we're going there; it's without a doubt better then CFI. I'm sure I'll enjoy moments of frustration but in the end I'll have what I want and I'm sure it will be a better running car overall. I don't find many folks removing TPI to put on a CFI setup.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
I will agree that if you are set on swapping to something other than CFI then yes TPI is the way to go, better then carb ide guess.
However on another note i will say ive had dozens of CFI cars and set up correct they run excellent, sound strange when running but work fine
However on another note i will say ive had dozens of CFI cars and set up correct they run excellent, sound strange when running but work fine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 474
Likes: 127
From: Stafford Virginia
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Why is it better?
Single TB and endless supplies of aftermarket options
Fairly well known and respected technology that has many guides, books, articles and most importantly techicans that understand it, tune it and support it.
Without a doubt looks impressive although I do like the CFI look as being unique.
Cost - cheaper parts and replacement items for the most part.
Technology - the ECM that supports it is far more advanced and capable of PROM changes. I'll admit you can add an 87 ECM to the 82 as well...I think from a truck with TBs.
that's the quick off the top of my head list.
I've owned four Z28s and Trans Am with TPI and loved every one of them...they were reliable. Not sure about strange sounding engines, I always thought they sounded normal.
and I'm not against CFI, I just wont continue to poor money into it when I can go a step up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by JustForFun
I went the direction of TPI and kinda wishing now i had just left the car with a carb. kinda a PITA to get all the ducks in a row. Had to do it over ide go back to carb and jsut spent my money installing a 200r4 to make the car more driveable and be done with it.
Now, more towards the original post. I have nothing against CFI. It is a very reliable, simple system if Bubba doesn't get into it. My friend has an 82 and an 84 and he is very happy with them. I do think that TPI has more bottom end torque and better visual appeal. I'm very happy with mine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 899
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
I replaced the 305 tb in my wifes 91 firebird with a 350 tpi with the vortec heads and a comp cam h roller,had howell burn me a prom ,an a Accell ram plenum and runners ,thing runs pretty good,Id say around 340 hp.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
...we will return you to this post in one moment...please stand by... 
Another Cross-fire bites the dust!
Since we are throwing opinions around - the CFI is well known for its limitations. However, it was a "one year wonder" for the C3 and C4 models. A piece of history if you will. There had to be a CFI in order to get us to TPI and so one... I'm willing to bet that less than 50% of the 25,407, '82s made are still on the road WITH a CFI set-up. Mine is, drove her to work today!
Now back to the post...obviously it's your car, do as you want but IMHO you should do the valve job, keep the CFI intact and look for another car to add the TPI...or jump into the used C5 market...best bang for the buck! Good Luck!
Another Cross-fire bites the dust!
Since we are throwing opinions around - the CFI is well known for its limitations. However, it was a "one year wonder" for the C3 and C4 models. A piece of history if you will. There had to be a CFI in order to get us to TPI and so one... I'm willing to bet that less than 50% of the 25,407, '82s made are still on the road WITH a CFI set-up. Mine is, drove her to work today! Now back to the post...obviously it's your car, do as you want but IMHO you should do the valve job, keep the CFI intact and look for another car to add the TPI...or jump into the used C5 market...best bang for the buck! Good Luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
w/2TONE. Port the daylights out of that Crossfire intake, get your heads done, it will run strong. We have a few guys runnning 13's with those CFI in the C4 sec.If you wanna go TPI, get an aftermarket 180CC head (they are cheap), port the base, aftermarket set of runners and a cam in the 210-220 @.050 range, your car will haul the mail on the street. No need for big TB's etc. TPIs dont make great hp#'s or rev high, but they can make a crapload of low end torque (use a 3.08 gear)that will leave people scratching their heads.
