My Howell T.P.I. harness and ECM came with the vehicle speed sensor programed out. In the 500 or so miles I have clocked since my swap I have had absolutely no drivability issues whatsoever.
350 tpi help
- Thread starter jim land
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Thats good to know...I wonder if there is difference regarding VSS on the TPI and CPI engines...? (not in the purpose of the VSS but in the way the computer manages that data) I assume so. I do know as technology moved forward the ECM / PCM have become more "intelligent" and manage the engine better in regard to emissions and performance, in addition they have additional sensors to monitor.
Thanks for the clarafication. I know my engine ran like crap until VSS was installed.
Thanks for the clarafication. I know my engine ran like crap until VSS was installed.
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- #23
I maybe find a way , btb product have a speedometer extention with an american tread on one end and metric on the other, i will call monday , plus two other place where they make custom speedo cable, so now it make possible to use painless 40 pulse inline vss (#60117) made for use with the kit (#65104)
about my clutch, everyting was ok since 2003 , i just neglect to change the trow out bearing when it start to sceam 6 monts ago
(to mutch dirty water crossing) the bearing was solidly frozen ,
i hate mud
about my clutch, everyting was ok since 2003 , i just neglect to change the trow out bearing when it start to sceam 6 monts ago
(to mutch dirty water crossing) the bearing was solidly frozen ,
i hate mud
Robert Rauscher at Dynamic EFI has also stated not needing a VSS, he's the developer/builder of the EBL system some here use. A good source for TBI and TPI info is at Third Gen.Org, along with having a DIY Prom section if you want to get into tuning. I'm doing it the hard way with a TBI swap. Scrounged everything from a '95 Suburban for parts, trimmed down factory harness, and have got an Autoprom from Moates for tuning. I started out knowing nothing about EFI, and after spending ALOT of time at ThirdGen, now know enough to get me in trouble 
. Just look around, the parts AND info is there, just have to find it. Al
. Just look around, the parts AND info is there, just have to find it. Al
I am running a corvette TPI with no VSS, no air pump or related "accessories". The PO did the conversion (383 TPI, painless harness) and after three years of ownership no performance issues have been discovered.
IMO it would be a shame to give up the benefits of a fuel injected trail rig motor due to the VSS issue. Now the $ issue is completely understandable. best of luck and thanks for an interesting thread.
IMO it would be a shame to give up the benefits of a fuel injected trail rig motor due to the VSS issue. Now the $ issue is completely understandable. best of luck and thanks for an interesting thread.
Jim you need to contact Downey! he is back to making the 40 pulse reluctor rings that mount on the back of the transfer case. see this thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/373604-vss-chevy-conversion-79-fj40.html
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- #27
I have ordered my wiring kit yesterday , i talk to a guy at the painless techline and he told me it is better to use a vss with the kit im going to use and they make one exact for this kit (in fact it is kind of a waterproof boat ecm ) but he also told me that he have the same kit in is car ,with no vss and have no probleme
yet . so now that i just find a way to use one , i will try with no vss and see how it go , and if i feel i need one now i know where
to get it . i also order a clutch , now i make a list for the next order (fuel pumps , fork boot , clutch Mc and slave , trowout bearing , air filter and ......) maybe ramhorns . i have to make a surge tank , clean the frame and engine bay , i will keep you inform as it move on with picture , more question and poor english
JIM
yet . so now that i just find a way to use one , i will try with no vss and see how it go , and if i feel i need one now i know where
to get it . i also order a clutch , now i make a list for the next order (fuel pumps , fork boot , clutch Mc and slave , trowout bearing , air filter and ......) maybe ramhorns . i have to make a surge tank , clean the frame and engine bay , i will keep you inform as it move on with picture , more question and poor english
JIM
I am running a 1989 Corvette block with aluminum heads and the speed density TPI from the 92 camaro.
In my case, the VSS was extremely simple.
I drove without the VSS right at first and can tell you that the RPM's would drop to 600 as soon as I let off the gas. After getting a VSS from jagsthatrun.com, the RPM's remain up at a more reasonable level as you are slowing down.
I contacted united speedometer out of Houston and they provided an extended cable that would go from my autometer speedometer to my 3-speed toyota transfer case. The VSS fits perfectly between the speedometer cable and transfer case. I use a free program called "tunerpro RT" to monitor the ECM/sensors.
In my case, the VSS was extremely simple.
I drove without the VSS right at first and can tell you that the RPM's would drop to 600 as soon as I let off the gas. After getting a VSS from jagsthatrun.com, the RPM's remain up at a more reasonable level as you are slowing down.
I contacted united speedometer out of Houston and they provided an extended cable that would go from my autometer speedometer to my 3-speed toyota transfer case. The VSS fits perfectly between the speedometer cable and transfer case. I use a free program called "tunerpro RT" to monitor the ECM/sensors.
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- #29
ok im back , the engine is fresh paint and i wait for runner gasket set and cold start plug kit , i make the egr block off plate with a piece of 1/4 alu ,a 15 minute job (save 40$) i need a map and a new knock sensor . i have a surge tank to make with a stock tpi pump in it , it will be fill with a mechanical lift pump
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- #30
pic of engine and parts
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- #31
surge tank model
hey Jim, the pictures look great and i am glad to see that your still making progress on the project! you will love the TPI when your done. and the surge tank looks great, way nicer then the one i built. is the second pic the actual tank you built ? keep the pictures coming.
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- #33
no , i find them on google , i try to make somting similar with a in-tank stock tpi pump , is the stock fuel pressure regulator is ok ?
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- #35
question about heater hoses : #1 on the pic, the red arrow is for the hose with a valve on the firewall ,right ?
#2 what is the best option for the hoses with blue arrows , connect one to the return heater hose and the other to the base of the radiator with a custom nipple ?
#3 remove the blue arrow systeme and use a nipple on the top of water pump (green arrow) it is looking realy tight in that spot but i think its possible ?
thanks
#2 what is the best option for the hoses with blue arrows , connect one to the return heater hose and the other to the base of the radiator with a custom nipple ?
#3 remove the blue arrow systeme and use a nipple on the top of water pump (green arrow) it is looking realy tight in that spot but i think its possible ?
thanks
hey Jim, yes #1 goes to the valve on the firewall. #2 i did not use on my application. #3 i used a 45 degree or 90 degree brass fitting i got from home depot to clear all the crap. but my set up is a little different. my alternator is mounted lower to clear my corvette fuel rail. i included a couple of pics but they are not the best. they are from another post from when i got mine running.
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- #37
just finish to install fuel rail , plenum and runner
Jim it looks great so far! how does your wiring harness route though ? mine went under the plenum to all the injectors and sensors at the front of the motor so you may have to pull the plenum to install it because it is a tight fit. and are you going ram horn exhaust manifolds ? if so how are you routing the spark plug wires ? mine are ran under the ram horns next to the block and under the engine mounts using these Moroso High-Temp Under Header Wire Loom 72195 : eBay Motors (item 390191366772 end time May-11-10 01:52:40 PDT) if your block has the bolt hole on each side of the block. i dont know if the 87 and up blocks do. and the other bracket bolts to the back of the head. and i used these heat shields. Chevrolet Spark Plug Heat Shields : eBay Motors (item 380228396208 end time May-27-10 04:22:52 PDT) here is anther not so great picture.
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- #39
i have to test for the wiring , i hope not to have to take off the plenum one more time .
im keeping my fender headers for now , i know most of you hated them for the heat and .... but thats what i have and im going to ram horn next year at the same time as an h55 then i will do new single exhaust and skid plate modification and maybe a cutome fuel tank under bed in front of rear axle , so headers with my existing exhaust systeme if the way to go to drive it this summer
and my muffler are protected by the slider arm as you can see in the pic
im keeping my fender headers for now , i know most of you hated them for the heat and .... but thats what i have and im going to ram horn next year at the same time as an h55 then i will do new single exhaust and skid plate modification and maybe a cutome fuel tank under bed in front of rear axle , so headers with my existing exhaust systeme if the way to go to drive it this summer
and my muffler are protected by the slider arm as you can see in the pic
OK, Jim! looks great so far. keep us posted on how it goes.