I have a '88 IROC-Z with a tired 350 TPI engine. It is estimated the engine has about 150K miles on it. It smokes some on start up and I have leak at my timing chain cover. The car sat for awhile before I got it and really was never taken very good care of mechanically. When I got it about 10 months ago the spark plug wires literally crumbled in my hands when I took them off. So now I am looking at buying a crate motor, as much as I would love to build my own, right now I do not have the time, space, or tools to do it. Below is a link to the engine I am wanting. The company uses name brand parts and the power ratings look pretty good. Check it out.

http://www.golensengineservice.com/e....asp?engine=87

I was wondering if I would need to make any intake modifications for this engine? I have heard the stock TPI is supposed to be good to 400HP. Would I need to make any prom changes? Thottle body upgrade? When I put the engine in I am going to get some headers as well and new cat. They have another engine that is a 383 with 400HP but I really dont need that much power in a every day driver. I am also considering upgrading my ignition system to an MSD 6A or Crane FireBall system. Does anyone know if I will run into any problems with this engine? If so, please let me know. Thanks.

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Poor college student(donations welcome ;0) with an all stock 1988 5.7L IROC-Z Hardtop, Auto. trans, white ext. w/gold accents (soon to be silver), black custom cloth interior, 4-wheel discs and G92 pkg. Car is dead stock. Has only standard Z28 power options and all the IROC performance stuff you could get. No pwr. seats, mirrors, or rear defrost.

Best run: 1/4 14.90 @ 92.7 MPH

See My Car here: http://zap.to/chevyguy1969

#3 Gone but shall never be forgotten. Long live the legacy of the man in black. RIP Dale Earnhardt "The Intimidator"

 

You shouldnt have a whole lot of problems, all SBC's are identical. I cant speak for your fuel injection system, if youre going to a higher perf. engine, you may need to upgrade your throttle body and injectors. I assume you have a 700-R4 tranny,(I'm sorry)which isnt bad, but if your new engine will be over 400 HP, I would definately look at a TH-350 or TH-400 tranny, they are 3-speeds, but they are much stronger trannies than the weak slip-under-strain 700-R4s. I know alot of people will disagree with me there, but they obvioulsy havent gone through as many 700s as me and my family have. Mines on its last legs, so I will be getting a TH-350.

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---Grady---
1984 Berlinetta.
LG4 305
Holley #1850 600 c.f.m. carb.
Edelbrock Performer intake.
TH-700R4 tranny.
Flowmaster 80 series/ 3" cat-back pipe.
Accel Superstock Coil.
7.5 10-bolt rear/ 3.08's.
Edelbrock Pro-flow air cleaner.
Pioneer head unit, Pioneer front 4X6's, Cerwin Vega rear 6x9's.
Daily Driver.

Personal Quote: "The Rice-Boys all tremble with fear when the old American V8 draws near."

 

A 700 R4 can handle power, but it has to be properly built with the proper components. Just go to the transmission board and I am sure transfixleo or probuiltautomatics, will explain what needs to be done to handle the HP.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER, NO CAT
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
2:73 GEARS
Rebuilt 700R4, with manual valve body
B Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite
Soon to be installed
3:73 Richmond Gears and 3" Hooker Aero Chamber
Corvette Servo & .500 boost valve
15.61@ 95.2mph G-Teched, 1-2 shift slippage
"There is nothing more addicting than speed"

 

Thanks for the info so far. I think I am going to go with the 350/365 HP motor. I was wondering specifically with this one would I need to make any changes or upgrades to my stock TPI system. Yes, my tranny is a 700R-4 and it could use a rebuild itself but for now Im just concerned with the engine working good with my intake setup. From everything I have read so far I should be fine but I just wanted to make sure.

 

Installing a "crate" engine isn't going to cure very many problems that you describe. You'll still have to buy plug wires, the water pump is probably shot, the radiator is a time bomb with a short fuse, etc. I think you'll be doing yourself an extreme financial disservice by doing what you are talking about doing for the reasons you are doing it.

With the situation you describe, the cost of the thing that will come in a "crate" is probably only about half of what it will take to renew the engine. If you don't take care of all that other stuff, what you'll end up with is more of exactly what you've got now: a tired old car where something breaks every time you drive it. The thing that comes in the "crate" won't fix any of that.

Smoke at startup will cost you a set of valve cover gaskets and a set of valve guide seals. $25. The timing cover leak is probably the balancer worn where the front seal rides on it. A "Speedy Sleeve" kit is like $12, the tool to deal with the balancer rents for free. You'll have to fix the balancer to re-use it on some other "crate" engine.

All in all, I'd recommend you fix the little tiny problems, get the car to run right, and then see what you've got. Again, keep in mind that anything that's wrong with the stuff on the outside of the motor (injectors, wiring, cooling system, charging system, etc. etc. etc.) will still have to be replaced if you install a "crate" engine, so don't forget to budget for all that. I think you'll see what I mean if you are honest with yourself and add up the costs of all that stuff.

Stock TPI is no way going to give you 400 HP. It maxes out at about 300 HP. To get past that, it's more major bucks, again none of that will be included on what comes in the "crate".

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Hi RB83L69,

I have already replaced my radiator with an aluminum one, brand new Crane FireBall 8mm plug wires, AC Delco Rapid fire plugs, new water pump 4 months ago, new altenator 2 months ago, new fuel pump 5 months ago, all major fluids changed within 9 months ago, oil every 3K, complete brake job 1.5 months ago.
Your info on the TPI system is helpful but I want to know what I could keep and what I should upgrade. It has already been suggested I get some better injectors and maybe a larger throttle body. Should I consider a larger intake or maybe some different runners? Could I port my stock setup enough to make it run with the 365HP motor? Any info will be greatly appreciated.