block change into 85
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 132
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From: Torrington CT
block change into 85
Picked up 1988 roller cam block for my 85. only problem was it was tbi.
will the heads work with my tpi. anyone out there done this?? What else have you run into. I do want to go to roller rockers and i will be replacing the cam no matter its condition. very low milage on 88. it was out of wreck. my 85 is bone stock. I have heads off 88 and valves are like new. No ridge in block at all.Looks like it could be run as is but it is going to machine shop for at least honing and a good clean up. Any suggestions ???
Bill
will the heads work with my tpi. anyone out there done this?? What else have you run into. I do want to go to roller rockers and i will be replacing the cam no matter its condition. very low milage on 88. it was out of wreck. my 85 is bone stock. I have heads off 88 and valves are like new. No ridge in block at all.Looks like it could be run as is but it is going to machine shop for at least honing and a good clean up. Any suggestions ???
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,419
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From: Mississauga Ont
Are you asking if a TPI manifold will fit on an 88 roller block/heads that originally had TBI? If that is your question, then the answer is yes. I dont see why they wouldn't. A smallblock is a smallblock
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 433
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From: Miami Florida
Originally Posted by Bilyk
Are you asking if a TPI manifold will fit on an 88 roller block/heads that originally had TBI? If that is your question, then the answer is yes. I dont see why they wouldn't. A smallblock is a smallblock
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,923
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From: GA
your 85 intake manifold won't fit on 87+ heads, they have the revised bolt angle on the 2 center bolts on either side. You can elongate the manifold holes to make it fit. The TBI heads are probably the crappy "swirl port" heads, junk.
If you were to get a set of alumnium heads from a corvette you'd be able to keep your intake as is.
If you were to get a set of alumnium heads from a corvette you'd be able to keep your intake as is.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,419
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From: Mississauga Ont
Originally Posted by Morley
your 85 intake manifold won't fit on 87+ heads, they have the revised bolt angle on the 2 center bolts on either side. You can elongate the manifold holes to make it fit. The TBI heads are probably the crappy "swirl port" heads, junk.
If you were to get a set of alumnium heads from a corvette you'd be able to keep your intake as is.
If you were to get a set of alumnium heads from a corvette you'd be able to keep your intake as is.
he's right
my apologies
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Morley
your 85 intake manifold won't fit on 87+ heads, they have the revised bolt angle on the 2 center bolts on either side. You can elongate the manifold holes to make it fit.
For the iron heads. Also, you will have to use the flywheel or flex plate from the '88. In 1986 Chevy went to the one piece rear main seal which changed the bolt pattern on the rear of the crank and the method of engine balance.
RACE ON!!!
PS. Vortec engines are not TPI. They are CPI. The Vortec was introduced in 1996.
Last edited by CFI-EFI; Jul 1, 2005 at 11:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 132
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From: Torrington CT
more info
Thanks for the info. Been away from computer. Its deff a roller cam 88 with iron heads. When i get it done what would i have to do to ECM to carry the new flow or will 85 setup even start to handle it. The injectors are brand new 22lb. the rest is stock setup.
I have the flex plate and harmonic balancer from 88 so that should not be an issue. Anything else anyone can think of??
I have the flex plate and harmonic balancer from 88 so that should not be an issue. Anything else anyone can think of??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Torrington CT
more info
All i know about the block i posted. I ran a search on the # and it shows chevy all as used in. I can post the block casting # if it would help. I picked it up to upgrade my 85. From previous info i can see the heads have to go. The block is being dipped and checked and new cam bearings and bored if all is well with it. I only gave my obsevation on condition as i had not much else to go on. it seems to heve lived a very short life. I was told it came out of a wreck and after seeing internal wear i believe it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by rodj
Aren't the TBI engines ,truck engines like the Vortec?
Iron head / roller cam
Iron head / roller cam
you should just sell your 88 roller block and buy this
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=962577
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 162
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From: Lady Lake FL
TBI engines were also put in caprices and camaros. I agree with the center intake bolts having the revised angles, the '85 intake "could" work on later heads, but like someone mentioned, there would need to be some grinding done. If you don't go too crazy with the cam (nothing with much more duration than stock) the ecm should run it OK, since it is a MAF setup, although you would probably need some tuning (tuning is a good idea anyway).
KC
KC