Last Wednsday, I finished converting my LG4 to Speed Density TPI. It runs excellent, and looks totally stock. Anyway, just by doing the swap, I shaved .66 and gained almost 6 MPH in the 1/4.

So now that I have joined the ranks of F/I, I guess that means I can hang out with you guys.

Any clue for a first "bolt-on"? AFPR is a must.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires, Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims.

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Bill, congrats and welcome to the TPI board!
Get the gage with that AFPR. Hopefully you did the coolant bypass and ported the intake, plenum and runners already. You could relocate the MAT sensor to fool it into seeing cooler air. I moved mine from under the plenum to my SLP air box. There are stock airboxes with a pre-attached fitting from the older V6 cars. That would keep things looking stock. Matter of fact I saw one I think at the Junkyard at Main and Heckscher Drive or it was the Upull it on Normanday yesterday.
Later

------------------
Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI
92Z28convt5spd
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

 

What do you run with the new combo Bill?

------------------
'88 GTA 350
Headers, catback, free mods, Xtreme energy cam, and intake pieces
13.51@104.27, but can run better as it is.

I just put a new 2100-2300 RPM TQ Converter. I hope a 13.20 or better

RAPTOR, the baddest bird on the planet
AIM HIGH!

 

Who's Bill?

How about a "bolt-on" set of 1 5/8" headers?
That would wake up the sleeping giant, of course a cam would be awsome but that's not a "bolt-on".

I have seen Bernard's (not Bill) TPI swap and it is awesome. He did a great job.

------------------
86 Camaro Sport
383 Speed-O-Motive Crate Engine, Trick Flow Heads, 58mm Accel TB, 3.73 Auburn Pro, SLP Cold Air Induction and Headers, Dynomax Cat-back, Serpentine belt setup, Dual IROC Fans.

http://www.sethirdgen.org/octride.htm

 

Thanks for the compliment, John.

Somebody else called me Bill, also. Its Bernard.

I'm a little embarrased about the times, but remember, it is still the base LG4 engine. Before the swap, I was:
16.10 @ 88.6
and after:
15.48 @ 94.0

I basicly just wanted to implement the F/I before I swapped the engine. I figured if I did TPI and engine at the same time, and I had a drivability problem, I wouldn't know wehre to start. Now that I have the TPI smoothed out, any problems should be with the engine (but thats next year).

I did port the plenum, and I did the bypass. The bypass was the "ultimate bypass" because I cut the nipples off flush, filled the coolant cavity with JB Weld, sanded smooth and painted. John M has seen it, it looks killer. I will post a pic when I get it.


------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires, Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims.

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

GMTech if you are looking for good bang for the buck to get you through the next year when you put in your new motor I would look into a custom chip. I know a friend of mine picked up .5 and have heard of gains as much as .6 and you can also expect anywhere from 2-4 mph trap speed.

------------------
TPI 305,
Gutted airboxes,
gutted MAF,
K&N filters,
Corvette Servo.
14.9@93mph

"Speed kills, wanna live forever, drive a Ford."

 

You have 22# injectors in your 87 T/A 305? Y0u definitely need a custom chip and some air mods. Aren't you running rich? You could probably get yourself to 15.0 with proper tuning. TPS sensor,timing increase,and playing with the fuel pressure (when you get your afpr).

By the way, which afpr you buy doesn't matter. They all do the same thing. Save yourself some cash and go with crane cams for only $66. You may want to go to advanced auto or parts america and pick up a new spring and diaphram for $29. Mine took a dump after I added my afpr. Could save yourself the trouble of removing all the hoses and plenum.

------------------
'92 Formula
305 TPI
Mods: SLP headers,SLP catback,SLP air foil,ported plenum,Crane AFPR (42psi),MSD6AL,homemade cold air,K&Ns,3:73s,JET fan switch, Macewen white face gauges...ZZ9 cam is coming!

[This message has been edited by theformula (edited November 12, 2000).]

 

I'm not running as rich as you think I would because the FP regulator that I have is on its way out and I am not getting a full dose of pressure. As for timing, I have the base timing set at 6* BTDC, and using a Tech1 I did a snapshot of my runs.

O2 mV was steady around 830 wich I think is ideal for WOT

Knock retard was at a max of 5* wich isn't good. I may take base timing down to 4* BTDC and see if that doesn't cure it. I am using 93 octane.

I guess I need to see what the ideal TPS should be. I have it set @ .52V.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims.

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

830 is pretty good. I recommend attempting 850 to 860 @WOT. Some manufacturers have recommended that (crane and tpis).

Did you say your regulator is on its way out? Make sure you take my advice and replace the spring while you have the cover off (when you add the afpr). parts america/advanced auto has the cheapest price so far ($29 VS Dealers $95)

Also, when you buy a FP gauge, get an electronic dash mounted one . You never know when you could have problems with your fuel delivery and having a gauge in the car allows for constant analysis.

I went with Intellitronix digital FP gauge and I'm very happy with it. It's $39.95 from Summit and you also have to get the sender for $39.95. Only problem I ran into was with finding the proper adaptors to connect on to the fuel rail.

As a matter of fact I'm having a little problem right now. The car will read 25#s one day, 5 minutes later when I start it back up 42#s....no one knows the answer! The car ran the best at 33#s though. But today its back to 42#s!

------------------
'92 Formula
305 TPI
Mods: SLP headers,SLP catback,SLP air foil,ported plenum,Crane AFPR (42psi),MSD6AL,homemade cold air,K&Ns,3:73s,JET fan switch, Macewen white face gauges...ZZ9 cam (i still have to install it :B)

[This message has been edited by theformula (edited November 12, 2000).]

 

Oh yea one more thing, at parts america/advanced auto, the regulator kit is listed under MPFI not TPI. At least it was backwards in my city , maybe your's got it right.

As for the TPS, stock should be anywhere from .54-.56. Try not to go over .62
You may get a SES.
------------------
'92 Formula
305 TPI
Mods: SLP headers,SLP catback,SLP air foil,ported plenum,Crane AFPR (42psi),MSD6AL,homemade cold air,K&Ns,3:73s,JET fan switch, Macewen white face gauges...ZZ9 cam (i still have to install it :B)

[This message has been edited by theformula (edited November 12, 2000).]

 

I was definatly going to get the diaphram/sping, I'm sure the spring is rusted or broken. (I bought a used set-up).

I do all of my FP checks with my Snap-On gauge, I don't think it will be more accurate than that.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims.

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Well I guess that proves that TPI is better than Carb! *ducking* Congrats!

------------------
1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Don't get me wrong, there are some fast Q-jets out there, but I have heard from alot of people that TPI has more torque over the carb (I guess due to runner design), and Torque is what gets you off the line.

One of the main reasons I did the switch is because the carb was starting to act up again, and I already rebuilt is 30,000 miles ago, and since Fuel Injection is my speacialty, it was the logical choice.
I also felt that fuel injection has more room to expand on modification wise.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims.

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

How does it feel like after installing TPI ? Driveabilty, smootheness, etc wise talking.

 

The "seat dyno" gives it two thumbs up. Throttle response is awsome, Idle is smooth as silk, and burnt rubber is on demand. Now if I could only get that thing down the strip faster, but the F/I is just the beginning.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims.

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Get a 08-304-08 comp cam and a pair of SLP 1 5/8ths.

------------------
'92 Formula
305 TPI
Mods: SLP headers,SLP catback,SLP air foil,ported plenum,Crane AFPR (42psi),MSD6AL,homemade cold air,K&Ns,3:73s,JET fan switch, Macewen white face gauges...ZZ9 cam (i still have to install it )

[This message has been edited by theformula (edited November 12, 2000).]

 

GMTech, welcome to TPI. I am curious why you chose SD over MAF?

 

I wouldn't be too embarrassed. That is fast enough to beat my TPI 355 with every mod on the planet. It's also right in line with a stock TPI 305 (Like what I started with )

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

Glenn, I chose that, because the TPI setup I purchased came with the Painless Wiring Speed Density wiring harness, wich requires the 1227730 ECM. I also used a stock '91 Trans Am PROM.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims.

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

Ok, I hear you on the Speed Density choice. So what are your ultimate plans for this TPI 305? To boldly go where no 305 has gone before or to make a great running daily driver with a little extra zip?

The 15.48 is pretty good when you consider it is just a LG4 with just SD TPI. I too think you could bump you fuel pressure up just a tad more given your O2 reading (I run just over 900mV) and this may assist in solving some of the spark retard.

Good luck and have fun.

 

Really? You think more fuel would cure the detonation? I may have to try that when the AFPR comes.

No, the 305 is temporary. I have a 350 4-bolt bored .030 over waiting for some guts to be stuffed in it. I wanted to go ahead and do the TPI to get all the "bugs" worked out. Now that it is taken care of, I will start to concentrate on the engine.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
KYB Shocks

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

The 350 should be a nice change. Any particular cam chosen yet?

On the "minor bolt-ons", you might want to consider relocating the MAT/IAT into the rubber boot before the TB. The cooler temp reading will bump up the pulse width slightly. It is best done inconjunction with the AFPR.

What I like about the relocated MAT/IAT is that it makes the engine more consistent between "cold" performance and "hot" performance. As you are probably aware, the TPI is plagued with "heat soaking", especially in the summer, and they don't tend to feel as "peepy" when hot when compared to "cold".

My relocated MAT/IAT made the difference very negligible between "cold" performance and "hot" performance. Though I had to back off my fuel pressure a bit when I installed it to get optimum performance.

As I said, welcome to TPI.

 

I was actually thinking of 383. My good friend John Millican has a Speed-O-Motive 383 in his Camaro, and it is unbelievably stout. Not to mention, prices for the rotating assembly have gone down considerably since last year when I had the machine work done on the block.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC,
Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
KYB Shocks

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

I too am giving a 383 serious consideration for when it is time to rebuild my engine (hopefully, mainly moons from now). Gotta love those extra 33c.i.

Any thoughts to heads and cam combo?

 

A thought on your knock retard. Pull the sensor and put a couple wraps of teflon tape on the threads, install it just tight enough that it won't leak (kinda like an oil filter). This makes them a touch less sensitive to irrelevant noise. Just my experience.

------------------
Torque is KING!
All pray to the god of grunt! When ye thinkth ye has been whupped than shall ye meet the mighty Buick! For none can surpass her majestic power, and all will yet try. All pray to the god of grunt. For the King of torque has arrived!
1. 82 Camaro+ 1. 455" Buick+ 1. N2O plate = YOUR WORST FRIGGIN NIGHTMARE!!!
Da Problem Child
ProbChldR@aol.com