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1962 TPI installation

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Old Mar 19, 2003 | 05:18 PM
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Default 1962 TPI installation

Hello, this is my first time and day on this forum.

I have a 62 that I am currently attempting to install a TPI or MPFI system on. I have not been able to locate anyone local that has done this or know's anyone who has. So what I attempting to find out is whether or not the TPI system will fit under the hood without doing any hood mods. I am concerned about the hood brace clearance.
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Old Mar 19, 2003 | 05:53 PM
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Man, that's gonna be a pretty C1 specific question. You're probably better off checking there on clearance. Now, if you want to know how to get the thing going, then you may want to try here, or in the tuning section for engine management questions.
Welcome to the forum, and congrats on that '62.........that was the year of my very first Vette!! (back in '65 :lol: )
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Old Mar 19, 2003 | 07:45 PM
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Default Re: 1962 TPI installation (Brent1962)

It should work under the hood. There are two different manifolds however. The late model will not fit early Vette heads, The bolts go straight down instead of on an angle. A manifold from a early { 83 84 } Camaro will probably be correct if I remember correctly. I know I have one but cannot remember the year. :thumbs:
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Old Mar 20, 2003 | 10:11 AM
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Default Re: 1962 TPI installation (Muttley)

Thanks guys. Perhaps a little more info would have been helpful. I am only installing the early style L98 TPI that worked on either the 85-86 or 85-91 vette's. This style of TPI has the same bolt pattern as all the early style heads. So this is not a swap to the LT1 or even the L98 engine. I have a numbers correct 327 with camel back 2.02 heads. The engine has been massaged a little and puts out about 400hp; the usual street porting, gasket matching, cc'ing, balancing, etc. I am currently running the Weiand Stealth intake and edelbrock 750 with a MSD 6AL and MSD dist. w/mech tach. I am going to have to solve the tach issue by retrofitting a electric one into the stock location or hiding a small one. I run rev limiters and when racing I shift by ear anyway so I really don't use the tach too often.

So the question is will the L98 early style TPI installed on a stock 327 block with old style chevy heads fit under the hood of a 1962 vette w/o doing mods? How was that?
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Old Mar 20, 2003 | 11:14 AM
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Default Re: 1962 TPI installation (Muttley)

Thanks. I took both suggestions. We'll see what happens. I do not have the unit yet. It is in MN and I can choose either the MPFI or TPI. The guy who built my engine suggests the TPI unit and the guy with the MPFI unit doesn't think I have enough clearance for the single plane high rise intake. So this process is the final step in determining which one I get. Then after I get I will have to gasket match and port and yada yada.

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Old Mar 22, 2003 | 12:08 AM
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Default Re: 1962 TPI installation (Brent1962)

I hope it is not a stock TPI. Those things run out of breath at ~4800RPM on a 350, might go to 5200RPM on your 327. If you have a 400HP engine there is no way a stock TPI will flow near enough air to feed it. I doubt it even with porting.


[Modified by L79vette, 5:09 AM 3/22/2003]
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Old Mar 22, 2003 | 03:18 PM
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Default Re: 1962 TPI installation (L79vette)

I hope it is not a stock TPI. Those things run out of breath at ~4800RPM on a 350, might go to 5200RPM on your 327. If you have a 400HP engine there is no way a stock TPI will flow near enough air to feed it. I doubt it even with porting.
L79vette,
You saved me a lot of typing. If you go the TPI route, be sure to have it polished for the "Gee Whiz" factor when you open the hood, because, it certainly won't run like it used to. Like the old saying, "If it don't go...Chrome it!".
On another point, possibly you could find someone that could cram modern electronics into your exisiting ditributor, to save the use of the factory tach. Not that those tachs are so great, but since it is of limited use to you, it's a shame to bugger up the interior of your car. Good luck, and...

RACE ON!!!
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Old Mar 22, 2003 | 07:11 PM
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Like others said...... any reason why you want to choke this now well running engine? The TPI is nice, but it was designed for a 305ci engine and trying to squeak out 400hp is something of a science with them. Heck I'm not sure I know anyone even with a 350 that has 400hp with one naturally aspirated.
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Old Mar 24, 2003 | 10:01 AM
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Default Re: (scorp508)

Thanks for the info and thoughts. The system I am looking at has the large runners and 52mm throttle body (stock was 48mm I believe). The base is stock but I will be porting that regardless so I don't think it matters too much. From what I have been able to determine the large runners (port matched btw) and other stuff will breath up to the 6000 mark. The TP1 system came off a 87 vette. Interesting thing about if don't go chrome it....it has been powder coated already, he he.
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Old Mar 24, 2003 | 12:48 PM
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With the large runners and a ported stock base I think you'll be seeing peak power more around 5600 or so at best. Even my superram doesn't peak that high (maybe with tuning it will). Yes, the stock TB was 48mm, but in the same breath we've shown in the C4 section that going bigger is a a waste of money on a 350 so I can't imagine a 327 needing bigger either. I'm running my stock 48mm still and making 388hp with lots of fuel and timing tuning left to go in the computer.

You may be interested in these. Click them to get the full version.

This is my car back in August of '02. It made 322hp and 369 ft/lb at the wheels which translates into about 388hp and 445 ft/lb with my drivetrain.

The main components are...

LPE/Accel Superram Plenum/Runners/Intake Manifold
LPE 219 Camshaft
Comp Camp Pro Mag 1.6 Roller Rockers on 7/16" Studs
Hooker 1 3/4" Longtube Headers
48mm TB
Ported/Polished D-Port Aluminum Heads with 2.02/1.60" valves.
Titanium Retainers, Triple Springs

The camshaft is 219/219, .525"/.525", 112 LSA, but with the 1.6 rockers it goes up to .560"/.560".



Crappy A/F ratio for that pull.
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