Today I began installing the TPI system into the Corvette. I ahve been collecting parts, and with the long holiday weekend now is a great time to start. Todays project was fuel delivery. After some thought, cost comparisons, and experimentation. I decided to go with an in tank fuel pump. I was going to use an '82 sending unit, but I decided to modify my existing sending unit (I couldn't find an '82 sender in my price range) to be used as a pump hanger. I installed a wire harness from an
'87 camaro into the Vette sender along with a new fuel pump and strainer from the same year.

I then brazed a longer return tube to the short existing return tube. This is so I would have a secure mount for the pump, and to keep returning fuel close to the pump. I also soldered a tab to the return tube for a ground for the pump.

The pump is held to the return tube with a stainless worm clamp that was brazed to the return tube. The attachment hose for the pressure line from the pump are rated for fuel injection.

I was able to keep the wireing for the fuel level sender and ground unaltered. The whole assembly fits great in the tank even though there is a bit more wiggleing to get it in the hole. I tested with a jumper wire, and all is good. No leaks!!! And the pick up for the pump is in the same position as the original. The noise is typical of an in tank pump. I will never here it over the side pipes.
Tomorrows project is to install the intake, and wire harness.

 

Wow, that looks great man. If I had that kind of talent I would have done that instead of buying a frame mounted version. I just can't weld aluminum or braze. Looks wonderful. Keep the updates coming, as you and I are on a similar path.

 

Thanks Durango.
The factory sender is steel, I think it is galvanized. Part of the reason I chose to use an in tank pump was because you don't have to drop the tank to get the sending unit out . If I couldn't get the sender out without droping the tank I would have went with an in-line pump.
Cost was also a factor. In-line pumps are almost twice as much if not more. This in tank pump/sock was $61.68 (tax included) and the new pump came with the wire kit for in the tank. The 5/16 tubeing I had left over from when I made the new fuel lines during the frame off, and the external wire harness came off the donor Camaro (freebie).
I now have to decide If I'm going to mount the fuel filter on top of the tank between the sender, and steel fuel lines, or in the engine compartment. I'm leaning more this way because I'll have more room to mount a good sturdy bracket for the filter to the frame rail so my connections will be cleaner since I will be using the fuel lines off of a '92 Chevy pickup from the fuel rail to the filter.

 

Dr. Jay I see you already started your TPI install I have a ton of extra parts for your job. 82 fuel sending unit, throttle cables,ect. o you have a wire harness ad ECM ? I am thinking about using a different wireharness and ECM I have the Gm waterproof one #1227727 , and a S&P wire harness (speed density) with vss. Let me know if your intrested or need some help.

 

Bruced267


Sent you an e-mail on the tpi parts.

 

Thanks for the offer. If I come up with anything I need I will let you know. I do need the bung for the O2 sensor, but I'll have to wait until after the holiday to order it from summit, or Tuesday when the Fastnal store opens.
What throttle cables do you have? I'm planing on using the one out of the camaro, but I'm not sure if it will work.

 

I spent the morning picking up some parts I ordered, and tried to find a store with a 18mm x 1.5 pitch nut for the O2 sensor bung (no luck). I did get the speed sensor I orderd from Oreillys # S8329 / NAPA # VSS232. It is a 2 pulse sensor and it fits '84-'87 Buicks $30.99 (which is $70.oo less than the one Painless makes), and it screws to the factory speedo cable.

I started by removing the cast iron intake/carb assembly (man that thing is heavy). I then elongated the four center bolt holes, and installed the lower intake, and distributer.

Then I installed the fuel rail, and runners. I had to start installing the wire harness as the manifold air temp sensor is located on the underside of the plenum.


Tomorrow I'll try to escape the Holiday preperation , and get the fuel filter, and fuel lines run from the frame to the fuel rail.

 

Wow that's looking great. I always liked the look of a clean TPI manifold,

 

Thanks Durango!
I should have repainted the valve covers. The yellow is two different lot numbers so the colors don't match . Cleaning up the wiring is going to be a chore.

 

...for an O2 sensor bung.
I'm suspect you've seen those things you pick up in the HELP! section. You can get 2 of them for like 4 or 5 bucks. Lop of the end and weld it in. Don't have to wait for an order and it's cheaper. I've done several in this manner.

 

Awsome Idea!!!!

I spent hours dragging my 5 yr old daughter through 5 auto parts stores, and 3 different hard ware stores looking for the right sized nut to use as a bung. I even thought of using a spindle nut, but no one had one that was the right size.
Five help sections, and the solution was staring me right in the face At the least my daughter got to spend some quality time with me asking a ton of questions. What does that do Daddy? Will that fit your car? Whats for lunch? I have to go to the potty. It was a fun time anyway
I'll have to sneak off to the auto parts tomorrow to get a anti fouler(honey we're out of wrapping paper so I'll go get some).

 

It is pouring rain, and I have been in the house reading wire diagrams for the '87 camaro, and I have a question for you guys that have done the TPI conversion.
This question is about the Speed Sensor. The factory speed sensor buffer is a three wire unit that is bolted to the instrument cluster.
The black/white wire goes to ground.

The pink/black wire is fused hot in run, and is also a common hot wire for other sensors. I think it just powers the buffer side of the sensor.

The brown wire goes to pin out A10 on the ECM

My new sensor is a two wire unit.
http://partimages2.genpt.com/partimages/102422.jpg
Which wires do I need to attach to my new sensor for the conversion. I think I will have to attach one wire of the new unit to ground, and to the other wire to ECM pin out A10.
Is this the correct way to wire this????

Any help will be appreciated.

 

I'm using the 1227730, and I suspect we could help with your questions if we knew your ECM.

If you have problems with losing pump suction on turns, then take a look at my corvette pics off to the left here. I used to have a pro-jection unit and I'd lose suction when taking sharp turns at less than 1/4 tank. I used a canister/fuel pump assembly on my Ramjet and haven't lost suction yet.

 

Dr Jay I looked in a TPI swappers guide ECM # 1227730 pin out
vss (low) BB9 ppl
vss (high) BB10 yel
vss to i.p. 4000 p/mi BB11 brn
Hope this helps

 

I am using the Camaro ECM #1227165. It is the one that came with the donor car. I do have a custom prom with no vats, or emissions (egr, purge, etc). Does this help?

 

Great pics. Now if I have a suction problem I know what I'll have to do.

I'm using an ECM #1227165 from an '87 Camaro Z28.

 

Does that version have to be mounted inside or can it be under the hood?

 

Matt, I believe it must be mounted inside the cabin. It doesn't look weather tight.

 

Well, in case you haven't planned a location...I know that there is a lot of available room behind the passenger knee pad. Also, if you're one of the guys who's gutted the air system and sealed off the cab from the outside...the ducting frees a lot of room when it's removed.

 

couldn't find an 82 sending unit? should have asked...I still have one.