might be a stupid question, but can tpi units be bolted on to any short block chevy??...if not..which ones..thanks

 

there are 2 different styles of SBC cylinder heads pre vortec/LS1, one of them has angled center bolts and the other has them at the same angle as the rest of the intake bolts, this is what people mean by "center bolt heads", they can be identified because the valve covers bolt in the center. If it has perimeter bolts holding down the valve cover then it's the older style. You've just got to see which type of TPI you have, they switched to the center bolt style in 1987.

 

****..then im screwed..cuz its either a 87 or 88 iroc motor..and ive got a 350 sbc out of a 79 pick-em-up truck...so that wont work i guess..!!F**K!!

 

you can elongate the center bolt holes to work, with some washers on the intake. Another option is getting an 85/86 base, the rest of the stuff will bolt on. yet A third option is pulling the heads off of an 87-95 engine be it TPI or TBI and put them on that engine. The compression increase would probably be very good for that engine since it'll have a whole 8:1 or 8.5:1 static compression ratio. even a set of 305 TPI heads have a possibility of being an upgrade if it's a truck motor, more then a few came with 1.72 intake valves.

 

I converted a TBI base to work on the older style heads, it wasn't hard at all, did it with a drill and it took maybe 20 minutes. I didn't use anything different to seal it, it all worked out fine.

 

well, let me give you the run down, as u can see..ive got a L03, and ive got a LB9 sittin around, and ive got that old truck motor(79)350, what I WANTED to do was put the TPI on that 350 and call it good...now can someone explain what has to be done a little better? thanks

 

take off the LB9 heads and buy a decent cam for that 350 (around .480 lift, 220 duration @ 50, and 112lsa) and swap the intake directly onto the LB9 headed 350 (no need to drill holes if you have the heads the intake came from). You'll now have a 305 headed 350 that has some good compression with a decent cam and induction system. While you've got everything off you should really consider getting it all ported especially those 305 heads. Good luck on the swap, it's a little more involved than I make it out but it's really not hard, just stick with TGO it will guide you through. Another option would be to swap the LB9 heads and intake onto your L03 and buying a bigger roller cam for that engine, that wouldn't be a bad idea either. Either way you're going to have to rewire your harness for the TPI, once again TGO will guide you.

 

yeah, i just planned on pullin the computer and harness out of the car with the tpi...if i can go with the 350 then i will :P..somethin for this winter!

 

o yeah...and this would be a daily driver! keep that in mind..

 

The 350 flat tappet cam will be cheaper and the swap will really be the same either way you go. Keep the 305's and sell the roller lifters, spider, and cams out of them on here, that'll fund a portion of your swap. I would recommend Rhoads lifters, these combined with a cam under .480 lift and 220 duration will make a very streetable daily driver setup. You're going to need to get a 350 prom, a 350 knock sensor, and possibly a set of injectors (you're going to be close to maxed on those 19 pounders). Other than that the swap's pretty straightfoward, just swap over the heads, intake, and sensors and you're ready to roll. I'm sure I've forgotten something but I swapped an 87 L98 into my RS Camaro with an L03, it's a time consuming but not to horrible swap.

 

I have alot of the stuff you mentioned if he needs it.

 

yep like said above, put the Lb9 heads and TPI on the 350. cam swap should be done too. not sure whats in the 79 350's but nothin in that erra made over 230hp lol so swap it out... nothing too big but something that will work well with 350 proms. i love roller cams but since its not a roller block, just do flat tappet.

should run well like that. only minor tuning adjustments needed, like base timing and fuel pressure to get it running smoothly

 

yeah, if you could PM me about the stuff i need, with prices..thanks! and that motor in that truck was rebuilt by a sprint car driver..if that means much

 

Ok, I'll PM you tommorow.

Actually, I sent you two PMs just now.

 

I don't think I'd run the 305 heads on a 350. Most 305 heads have smaller chambers and valves as well. Even though you increase your compression with the smaller chambers, the difference in flow doesn't make it worth it. I tried this to get me by on my 350 when I cracked one of the heads. With the 305 heads, it detonated a lot and my top end disappeared almost completely! Maybe the TPI 305 heads have large enough valves, but I kinda doubt it. The easiest solution is to either router out the 4 center holes of your existing tpi base or get an 85-86 style base.

 

The TPI 305 heads are equipped with 1.94 1.50 valves and will outflow ANY smogger 350 heads. The upped compression will be fine with the right timing and octane, and the motor will make way more power than it will with crappy 350 heads. Sorry you had bad luck on your swap but the 305 TPI headsd can be made to work, and work well.

 

TPI 305 heads are 1.84/1.5, but they also made those smogger heads in 1.72 and 1.84, so it's not neccesicarily true that they will have bigger intakes. The head casting #s can tell you valve size, but some heads came with 1.72 to 2.02 intake sizes so there's no recourse but to pull a head or something. It also depends on if you wanna get into head swaps. I will however point out that it does make chaning valve springs WAY easier, and you should probably do it on a motor that old; besides that, put a cam in it and go is my personal notion.

 

Yeah, the heads I swapped onto mine that time are probably the worst 305 heads they ever made. They were lightweight casting smog heads from about a 77-78 305 motor.

 

Smogger heads flow horrible numbers. The TPI heads flow decently and can be made to flow alot better with some port work and 1.94 valves. Since he already has these I think it would be his best bet unless he ends up having a set of Camel hump heads or something decent on the 350. Either way I'de like to have the motor fully apart to inspect the pistons/bores, and check out the condition of the heads. A basic head rebuild would go a long way and can be done at a reasonable price. Just run the head casting numbers and see what you're working with.

 

OK so I got a 74 sbc 350 stock with 420 lift cam I also have a 305 tbi could I put my 305 heads on my 350 and put the tpi setup on it I have a tpi intake a slp runners and fuel rail just a idea and what do I need after I put motor together can I go find a tpu car and take the harness I still have the computer from the tpi car