mrws6speed

Ok....I already know I'm going to get blasted for this one, but here goes.

I love the performance and relative price of the LSX motors.
They're powerful
They're cheap
6-speeds are available for them (and I can use and LS7 clutch like my '02)
They're ALL ALUMINUM (which saves weight)

The LS364/440 from GMPP is carbureted (as well as many others).

So why can't/hasn't someone made a TPI manifold/setup to work for the LSX motors?
SDPC and others have made Vortec manifolds, why not an LSX?

Wait....wait. I know the next question!
WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THAT?
Why not just do a straight LSX motor swap like everyone else???

The simple reason: I love the way the TPI's look and their particular feel.
I grew up with these cars since they were new.
Me (mostly) and my family have had 8 TPI vehicles.

Well? Help me out here?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Have you ever tried to suck a thick milk shake through a coffee stir stick?

If not, imagine what it would be like, and that's how the LSx would feel.

mrws6speed

I guess I should state a little more about my goals.

I'm going to use high flow TPI components (obviously a new manifold), large runners, ported plenum, 58mm TB, etc.

I'm looking for around 400rwhp. I want a drivable car....not a race car. The extra weight savings (combined w/ a tubular K-member, etc) will also help.

Oh...and one more thing. An LSX won't be any more restricted w/ a TPI than a Gen I engine w/ a TPI. But the LSX should perform better.

1991CamaroRslow

iTrader: (3)

The LSX style manifolds ARE TPI style manifolds, take a look at them they just took the the plenum put it on the bottom and made the runners wrap over the top and intersect each other. So to answer your question there IS A TPI MANIFOLD on your LS whatever engine when you buy it

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Doesnt matter how well the TPI parts flow, you will still choke that motor. Besides, the heads are totally different. The intake runners are tall and long. Incase you havent see under an lsx intake...here is mine.



The archetecture of the motor is totally different. Just to get the TPI base to bolt down you'd have to machine new bolt holes into heads. The intake wont even sit in there properly. Youd have to make a totaly one off manifold... Just not gonna happen man.

Ill agree with you 100%. The TPI motors are great looking motors. If you are dead set on the TPI intake, you are going to have to use a regular old small block motor. The weight isnt that big a deal, and you can use a T-56 with the TPI block...but as for the power, better get out the wallet and start building that motor.

For the longest time, when I was still thinking about doing the LS1 swap, I was trying to come up with a way to gut the TPI intake, and stick it on top of the LS motor...kind of like a cover or mask. Now that I nkow the LS motor and intake better, I see thats not really an option either.

You can do a lot to clean the LS motors up too... Hide wires, get some custom fuel rail covers, coil relocation brackets, smooth and paint the intake, etc etc. You can make it look really clean and attractive.

J.

mrws6speed

Thanks for your input. I'm probably going to go with a Gen I small block, but I want to explore possibilities.

The LSX intake is far superior.
The LSX motor is a wonderful looking motor (I know...I have an '02 WS6, my girlfriend has an '02 WS6 and my dad has an '06 GTO).

That's part of the reason I want to keep my '92 as a TPI. There's no reason to do otherwise. I already have a car for the LSX. And the TPI is what I grew up with.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like you will be set leaving the TPI in there! I know if I had a 4th gen LS1 car, and my 87 at the same time, I would have left my TPI motor in. Well...I would have gone from LB9 to the L98...but I would have left it TPI none the less.

You can wake that TPI motor up and atleast make it not feel slow after getting out of your LS1 car. Do a decent cam, some head work, headers/exhaust, free mod the TPI, have someone burn you a chip, and you'll be good to go.

J.

Thats a good lookin vert you have there too by the way...

88 350 tpi formula

iTrader: (9)

I would agree that a neat one off from complete scratch "TPI styled" ls1 intake would look killer but that's the only way to do it. each head port is apart from the next. would look cool with some BIG FATrunners almost touching each other and a wide plenium on top like the tpi..... maybe you can find some fab shop to build one for you?

1991CamaroRslow

iTrader: (3)

OMG look at the manifold EVERY GM FUEL INJECTED CAR IS TPI NOW! Don't believe me... look at any 3.8 FWD engine they say 3800 TUNED PORT INJECTION! If you look at an LS1 manifold you'll realize that Gm has just made the design simpler and better. If you want to keep it sleeper looking, go with the Vortec truck style intake, and tell everyone it's a TBI under there.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Dude... we believe you.... But "TPI" now doesnt mean the same thing as "TPI" from 87-92... Every "TPI" motor from then on has looked similar. TPI intakes , the older ones, are unique and look totally different than any other motor aside from the LT5 (which is like TPI on steriods) and the ram jet motors.

The original posters whole point is that he wanted to keep the thirdgen style TPI intake...not the TPI system itself. We, atleast most of us, realize that the newer motors are tuned ports...but they just dont have the looks of that older intake set up.

mrws6speed: You could just say screw it and shoehorn this in there

JB97C5

Nahhhh- dont give up. I'd like to see a custom plenum (sheet metal) tied to fabbed runners and a custom base. I think it would look cool. It would cost a lot- but it would be neat to see.

1991CamaroRslow

iTrader: (3)

I have a TPI engine, I know someone with a custom fabbed sheet metal LS1 intake, it's a box plenum with short individual runners on it. I'll try and get some pics of it if I ever hear from him again. He's removing it because he had some issues with no PCV valve on the intake causing blowby.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Why not just vent the valve covers?? PCV just lets pressure equalize in the block basically...so venting the valve covers does the same thing. Might get alittle oil mist now and again, but you can get a shrouded breather that will cut that down.

ide like to see apic of the intake as well...sounds interesting...

Justin