Hello,
I planning a swap to TPI on my 350 El Camino, I want to make sure I get the right donor engine. I was told to avoid the 85 as the MAF tends to burn out is this correct? I was also planning on using a MAF system as at a later date I want to add a supercharger to the system and it seems that this would be the easiest way to go or would it be better to go with a speed density unit. Also would an 86-89 year be good for MAF and for SD units 90-92? Thanks for any and all help.


August

 

Get an ECM and harness out of a 90-92 '730 setup, and get a HSR. You don't want TPI on your el camino, unless of course you want to go slower.

-- Joe

 

I live in CA. and smog laws only permit me to go to TPI, I can't even go to TBI if I wanted to. Hence the question. What is HSR?


August

 

I like the 86-89 types the best. I believe the 85 was a one of a kind and had some problems.

I have an 87 5.7L TPI transplant.

My 87 did not have the VATS (vehicle anti-theft system). No problems with trying to find ways to by-pass the theft system because it didn’t have one.

With a MAF you can change your cam without a need to add a chip to your computer.

I got a “Painless” wire harness #6012 that made the transplant very easly for me.

I love my 5.7L TPI (MAF) system. It’s great for everyday driving, reliable, emissions friendly, good on gas, and goes like hell. Best of all worlds, in my opinion

 

You could go TBI.

-- Joe

 

As stated above, smog laws will NOT let me go to TBI only TPI.

 

That is not true.

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Che..._V-8_Smog.html

 

Thanks for the info, I had been told this info from my mechanic/smog tech, seem's he was told some inproper info.


August

 

Osh. what kind of cam do you have in your 5.7L? Im doing the same painless wiring Kit Install. ( #60102).

 

1985

 

Yup hes right, i heard 85's have had problems with the MAF system on that year only.

 

i say that not because of problems,they (85-92) all have their problems.i say stay away from the 85 system is because of the speed of the ECM.i my self prefer the 90-92 systems.it a much better computer
if your starting with a clean slate i'd go with SD

 

Thanks for the info, I was planning on going with MAF only because I will be adding a supercharger at a later date and did not fully understand about burning chips. Now that the chip burning issue seems a bit more clear to me I will be giong with an SD system.


August

 

If you are going to go SD, then use the 730 or 749 as from the 90-92. You could use either of those while you are still breathing "common" air and then change the code and wiring to run boosted. Get into burning your own chips and you can do anything and be incontrol of the outcome. That's the path I have chosen. Just my opinion.

 

i have heard of people going with a ECM out of a Typhone or a Syclone because they going to run a SC.

 

HSR = Holley Stealth Ram. Its like a cross between TPI and a tunnel ram.

I had 2 MAFs go out on my '85 Z28. At $200 each that was not too cool.

 

The '749 running $58 doesnt control air injection though..



-- Joe

 

Thanks for the info! Does the 730 control Air injection? The typhoon/cyclone option sounds pretty good also (I wonder how hard it will be to find those ECM). Went looking for one yesterday and so far no luck have to keep looking.


August

 

The $58, or $60 code will run in a '730.

I could prolly import some of the code frin $8d to get air injection working on $60. infact, i'll put that on my todo list.

-- Joe

 

I'd be willing to help get that imported, I'm getting pretty familiar with the $8D but haven't paid much attn to the emmision stuff. Now I'm studying 58 & 60 and its a bit different from what I see in the $8D. Send me a PM, we can do two prong attack.
Jp