L98 TPI into 1956 wagon
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2018
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L98 TPI into 1956 wagon
I am the new kid and hope not to upset anyone here. Sorry folks I do not have the corvette but I do have the 1987 L98. I want to put it into my 1956 Chevy wagon. My concerns are if the juice is worth the squeezing? I do not have any of the wiring or computer for the motor. The motor is a fresh rebuilt with some mods but no miles. Have I bit off more than I can swallow? I am an avid home mechanic but have little experience with total wiring the EFI system.
Should I switch out intake, distributor etc to a carb system? I know what you are saying! The EFI is far superior! But will the costs of the total wiring of the EFI and the proper tuning be cost affective? Fuel supply is not an issue as there isn't anything in the car now.
I looking for honest advice with a little direction.
Thank you in advance
Should I switch out intake, distributor etc to a carb system? I know what you are saying! The EFI is far superior! But will the costs of the total wiring of the EFI and the proper tuning be cost affective? Fuel supply is not an issue as there isn't anything in the car now.
I looking for honest advice with a little direction.
Thank you in advance
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 823
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From: Somewhere near Fort Wayne, Indiana
I have a tpi motor running on a tbi ecm. I haven't had it on the street yet since it's still a project, but it sounds good. I'm sure it will need some tuning. Are you looking for big power, refi reliability, a cool looking engine? I myself would wire it and run the tpi, it wasn't much different than the tbi.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
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From: Mystic CT
Look around for a used efi system that is tune-able and aftermarket as you have no need for all the other stuff in a factory one. A used Accel 6.0 or Haltech E6GM or Platinum GM will do all you need to do. Yes you will have to make a simple harness and a used TPI harness should be able to be carved up and used to fab one. I had a '56 wagon ages ago and they are a heavy car suited to a TPI and all the torque they make. The above ECU's support a 700R4 and lock up converter so you can run some gear in the car within reason to stay in the power range of the TPI.
I have to say with all the room under the hood of a '56 that you just did not get a used LS with 400 or so hp and go with that.
I have to say with all the room under the hood of a '56 that you just did not get a used LS with 400 or so hp and go with that.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
I might not call the Holley 'self tuning' as sorted in any way. The Haltech is by far the cheapest way out and will data log tune in real time and fully supports a L98 short of egr. Put a cam sensor on it and will do sequential as well.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
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From: San Antonio Tx
My first experience with EFI was about 20 years ago when I installed a TPI motor in my 85 S10. I bought the motor with the wiring harness and ECM. It wasn't all that hard to figure out with the help of a Camaro service manual. I put over 100k trouble free miles on the truck after the swap, then I sold it to buy my Corvette. Carb would be easier but TPI would get a lot more attention when you open the hood.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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OP - I'd think TPI of course. How you go about it I'd think depends mostly on patience, $$$. With much patience I'd think there's many options and I'd shop hard.
A DIY harness I don't believe that difficult. Maybe you shop. I'd have maybe a conversation with someone like Howell and discuss the possibilities. Having 'nothing' could be a +. Maybe you do a 'speed density'.
A conversation with https://howellefi.com if they sense 'genuine interest' could be very worthwhile.
You might also reach out to this longtime forum poster. At one time he might have offered some options. Costs nothing to reach out.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...therspoon.html
A DIY harness I don't believe that difficult. Maybe you shop. I'd have maybe a conversation with someone like Howell and discuss the possibilities. Having 'nothing' could be a +. Maybe you do a 'speed density'.
A conversation with https://howellefi.com if they sense 'genuine interest' could be very worthwhile.
You might also reach out to this longtime forum poster. At one time he might have offered some options. Costs nothing to reach out.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...therspoon.html
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 24
I'm pretty partial to the advantages that EFI brings to the table. Either way you go Carb or EFI I would go ahead and use the fresh L98. Personally if you are not experienced with building EFI I would go to Painless Wiring or Howel and buy a pre-built harness. That will make it pretty much plug and play. Get a computer plug it in wire up a couple of hots and grounds and fire it up. Not the cheapest possible way to go but the investment would be worth it in drive ability. Besides the TPI will look cool in a 56. Everyone has a carbed 350 in those.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Don't recall if anyone makes an in-tank fuel pump for a tri-5 wagon, cutting out the spare tire well & installing a car fuel tank set up for FI is an option + the exhaust will be easier to run.
A frame mounted pump is an option but the wagon tank needs modified @ the fuel pickup to keep it in the fuel + you need a 3/8 fuel line & a return line.
BTW if using a stock wagon tank a swirl pot system is an option. Suggest Google for info.
You need an F-body small distributor.
Careful with the exhaust choice the heads have raised ports I run Patriot 3/4 length.
Have used Howell wiring for numerous builds = no issues.
For my 57 wagon I left my TPI on the shelf, used a 600 vac secondary carb & a small runner dual plane to avoid reversion @ the small head ports.
Check out https://www.trifive.com/forums/index.php
pic of my junk
jpg.gif 9-17-1.JPG (130.1 KB)
A frame mounted pump is an option but the wagon tank needs modified @ the fuel pickup to keep it in the fuel + you need a 3/8 fuel line & a return line.
BTW if using a stock wagon tank a swirl pot system is an option. Suggest Google for info.
You need an F-body small distributor.
Careful with the exhaust choice the heads have raised ports I run Patriot 3/4 length.
Have used Howell wiring for numerous builds = no issues.
For my 57 wagon I left my TPI on the shelf, used a 600 vac secondary carb & a small runner dual plane to avoid reversion @ the small head ports.
Check out https://www.trifive.com/forums/index.php
pic of my junk
jpg.gif 9-17-1.JPG (130.1 KB)
Last edited by Churchkey; Feb 5, 2018 at 02:01 PM. Reason: add info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 566
From: Clearwater Florida
..... A good friend of mine put a TPI motor in his 84 Suburban a loooong time ago ! He still loves it ... The Tuned Port's torque is perfect for a heavy vehicle and the O/D trans lets you run a rear gear that makes it haul a** . If your setup is basically stock , the factory ECU will work fine ... if its modded or you think you might make performance changes an aftermarket setup is the way to go . Try a Holley Commander 950 if you don't mind pecking at a laptop or the Holley HP if you think self-learning is your ticket ! ... The TPI helps fill that huge engine compartment with a cool looking small block that will always get attention ... who hasn't seen a '56 with small block and a 4bbl carb on it ? .....
Last edited by C409; Feb 5, 2018 at 07:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 823
Likes: 106
From: Somewhere near Fort Wayne, Indiana
Don't recall if anyone makes an in-tank fuel pump for a tri-5 wagon, cutting out the spare tire well & installing a car fuel tank set up for FI is an option + the exhaust will be easier to run.
A frame mounted pump is an option but the wagon tank needs modified @ the fuel pickup to keep it in the fuel + you need a 3/8 fuel line & a return line.
)
A frame mounted pump is an option but the wagon tank needs modified @ the fuel pickup to keep it in the fuel + you need a 3/8 fuel line & a return line.
)