Ok, this is a biggie. I saw a forum member (Brandywine) who put a TPI setup on his 1980/81 so I've started to acquire the parts after having too many issues with the Crossfire. In fairness, the crossfire is probably not the issue as I suspect I have a burnt/leaky valve on 6 and 8 so it's just not running right.

I have a complete TPI setup off a 1987 GTA Trans Am, everything from the harness, ECM, distributor, sensors, etc.

I know I'll need some fuel line plumbing and a new TV cable.

I've already installed an 1985 fuel pump so that's covered.

What type of heads and cam would you recommend or should I just get a 1985 or later SBC and build around that for a total swap. Money is an issue; I probably have about $1500 after spending the $500 on the TPI stuff. I would prefer not to pull the motor as it's only 67K miles but I'm open to it if it's really worth it and makes fiscal sense.

I'm interested in a smooth power delivery as a reliable driver; anything over the stock 200HP is a bonus in my book. Thanks in advance and please let me know what additional information to provide.

I have the 1982 service manual, installing fuel injection systems from 1982 to present, and several other SBC build books. Ultimately appears a lot of material becomes preference of the author so I'm looking for additional input from forum members.

 

There are a couple of very thorough books available on Chevy FI swaps. Check Amazon - one I can think of is something like "Chevrolet Fuel Injection Swapper's Guide."

 

are the heads off the ta vortec?if so than you will need vortec heads to bolt up with that intake.look at the specs for the 87ta cam if you get something close you should not have any programing problems with th computer.i like the set up that your putting in and it should run well,but if you kept the cross-fire ,changed the cam and put on some new aftermarket heads.you would have power[250-275 hp] and drive ability.the two problems that 82s have are the heads and cam .show us some pics with what ever you do.

 

If money is an issue, leave the heads and cam alone. If you suspect a burnt valve, then just do a valve job on the heads you have with those low miles. The TPI will bolt up, you just have to wallow out the center intake bolt holes-or trade for a Corvette intake (w/ vette intake, if you are required to have working EGR you have to have C4 exhaust manifolds too-or equivalent). I would trade intakes with you if you pay postage both ways. The cam is OK for TPI, it is set up for fuel injection already. If you want a hotter cam, there are some out there, or the GTA cam is OK if it was a 350 car. 87 is mass-air flow, so you will have to find a place for the MAF sensor.

If you do a search on my user name in the last year and "TPI" you will find a long article on adding TPI into a C3. Since you have an 82 you are already partway there.

 

I sent you another pm too,look up marks info alot of good stuff there.Heres another good site to learn from.

http://www.chevythunder.com/index.htm

 

Great stuff, came home for lunch just to check the forum.

I was going to headers anyways as I've pulled the A.I.R. system and put a block plate on the EGR. I read an article that seemed to indicate some benefit to keeping the A.I.R. setup so I continue to ponder that one.

 

I apologize if this is a dumb question but wouldn't your intake off a corvette be the same as my intake off the Trans Am? Aren't all TPI SBC intakes manfolds the same and the difference is just my heads?

I assumed that if I put a set of L98 heads on my car, it will fit perfect with no mods? I'm certainly willing to cover postage on a swap if it's the right thing to do and I sincerely appreciate the offer.

I have to say that this forum is really great, incrediable community of people.

 

The corvette intake will bolt right on,but the 87 and up tpi intakes from camaros and trans ams have the center intake holes at a different angle and so do the heads on those years,but the corvette heads are the same angle of the older heads.I know it sounds dumb but thats how it is.As far as your motor if you have 1500 to work with give or take,then maybe figure out if its your heads or not and if the bottome end is good and strong and decent compression then get a set of heads for it.

 

Just makes you laugh at the irony of some of these things

 

Ok, the guy that sold me the TPI has the heads (L98 off the 87 T/A) for $35.00....I can't see passing that up even at the cost of seals, valve job, etc. I assume this will solve any bolt angle issues and give me better flowing heads.

 

Just make sure you are getting 350 F-body heads not 305. If you put 305 heads on a 350 you will have very high compression and poor airflow to boot. Personally, I would rather have your stock 82 heads redone than 87 iron F-body heads. They are nothing special. If I was going to buy used GM heads, I would buy L98 aluminum heads from a Corvette. If I was going to buy new GM heads, I'd buy Vortecs and the special TPI Vortec intake from Scoggin-Dickey.

 

That's suprising to me as I've heard the worse thing about the 82 and 84 Corvettes are the heads. I assumed that the heads off a TPI 87 T/A would have been a better design and great flow. Sounds like I'm better off doing the mods to the intake or swapping out with you once this one gets here.

I'm reading the ThunderChevy site and I pretty much get all of it but the issue of the newer distributor in the older engines being a problem. I understand a modification to the gear will have to occur to use that one but I remember talking to Jim from Jim's Performance and he said I could use my older HEI setup. More research.

 

82-84 heads were made lighter.they crack easy

 

Why do sooooooooo many of you guys bash the cross fire? Yes underpowered , but 75 -84 are under powered , got 104 k on my 82 and runs like a champ....

 

 

If you don't have a roller cam then you can use an older large cap computer controlled HEI (4 wire flat connector and no vacuum advance). Or you can use a small cap distributor, like the 87 F-body had-see my article. The factory roller-cam engines use a different distributor gear material, all you have to do is knock out a rollpin and change the gear if you have the wrong one. They are still available from GM. There is a difference in the shaft size between large cap and small cap distributors, so be aware. Sounds like you probably have the right distributor and gear already.

 

TPI swap = waste of money. It'll cost you a good amount to get it all setup, it's not much more expensive to slap on something serious instead of TPI for only 35 or so HP gain.

 

The beauty of a TPI setup is the airflow. They work fine with so-so heads in stock form. My friend in Atlanta put TPI on a 69 for a customer with stock 2.02 valve heads (with TPI cam) and always had minor idle issues. He switched to aluminum L98 heads and everything smoothed out. He has put TPI on 82/84 shortblocks and says that they run well. Unless you do the whole upgrade package; ported intake, bigger runners, ported plenum, bigger throttle body.... I don't think that super heads are going to help much. I think that the higher velocity created by the smaller valves is an aid to the the whole package.

 

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.

 

the tpi was designed for a 305 just like the CFI, only difference is wet flow vs dry flow. The tpi isn't a good flowing system either...not by any means.