It is finally time to start my tuned port conversion

[Gimmie Green]

After several months of pinching pennies, I have finally orderd the last of the parts to install my TPI 350. Howell Engineering should come through with my harness and ecm sometime early this week! WOOHOO! I just finished assembly and paint of the long block. Here are some pics.

 

[Gimmie Green]

A few more.

 

[Trollhole]

I like the color.

 

[Gimmie Green]

Oh yeah, details and specs. The motor was donated by a 91 Formula Trans Am that had seen better days. I traded a paint job on a chopper for the engine that was supposed to be in running condition. Just to be safe I pulled one head to look at the cylinders. Rust #!@%! It was the type you get from condensation. According to the po the engine had been stored in a shed for ten years. The rust wasnt bad, but it was bad enough to justify a bore. So I striped it down bare block and sent it to the machine shop. They bored my block to .30 over, microfinished my crank (thank god it didnt need to be turned), and reconditioned all of my connecting rods. They also went through my oe cast heads. I put her back together with a set of oe style Kieth Black .30 pistions and all the usuall new bearings and oil pump supplied by my master engine overhaul kit. Since it was a TPI 350 out of a F body GM it had a Steel roller cam. I went ahead and replaced the roller lifters (since they came with the rebuild kit), and added a set of roller rockers.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

That is going to be one hell of a heart transplant.

 

[Gimmie Green]

Thanks TROLLHOLE most people look at that color and then look at me like I'm crazy.

 

[Combat Chuck]

what kind of injection system are you using? It looks like nothing I've seen before!

The color's awesome, glad to see someone challenge the old cliche of a Hot Rod Red block. That'll be one of my own changes to my SBC350 when I have it rebuilt. (only mine'll be Teal and Yellow)

 

[Gimmie Green]

Hey Combat Chuck,
It is a Tuned Port Injection. These were available from 1985 through 1993 in Camaros Firebirds and Corvettes. The Camaros and Firebirds came with either 5.0 or 5.7 and the Corvette came with only the 350. The later Corvettes also had aluminum heads.

 

[Downey]

My guess is that Howell programmed out the use of a VSS, he usually does. Once you discover (like everyone else does) that you need a VSS, PM me!!!!! Sorry for the Frankness, I just live with this every day of my life!!!

 

[Gimmie Green]

I'm not sure Jim. Is the VSS the chip that goes in the ECM? If so he did sell me that.

 

[Gimmie Green]

Ah good to know. Thank you to lil'John and Downey! I appreciate the info and suggestions.

 

[lone gunman]

hey Gimmie Green have you done a search on the subject TPI or tuned port injection ? i posted up alot of info and links a while back that might help. but one great site is www.chevythunder.com and yes i would use the VSS i got mine from www.jagsthatrun.com but if howell eliminated it you would have to reprogram your chip (not cheap) and since yours is from a 91 i assume its speed density then, i went with a 89 with a MAF sensor. i would also think they removed the VATS (vehicle anti theft system) if not google search for baker electronics they make a system to eliminate it and its about 40.00 bucks. keep us posted on the build it looks great so far and check out pirate 4x4 and search TPI also there are some write ups on there and one of the guys programs chips too. if i was home i would give you the links, but the wifes haveing surgery and i am in the waiting room.

 

[Gimmie Green]

Well tell me this. if I dont plan on doing a whole lot of highway and my use is limited to around town and trail use, how much it it going to effect my drivability? What kind of consequences will come of not installing the VSS?

 

[Gimmie Green]

Thanks Lone Gunman I appreciate it.

 

[lone gunman]

it mainly affects stoping, your motor may die and run ruff. check out the chevy thunder site and read up on it. and search for the other TPI posts, i linked tons of info. i wish i was home so i could post them.

 

[bkfj40]

Thanks TROLLHOLE most people look at that color and then look at me like I'm crazy.

apparently, you haven't seen the pictures of his 2F....even stevie wonder thought it looked a little weird.

 

[Gimmie Green]

bkfj40 thats no lie. That thing is psychadellic to say the least! I like it.

 

[Gimmie Green]

BTW Lone Gunman good luck and I hope all goes well with youre wife and her surgery!

 

[lone gunman]

thanks Gimmie Green, she has crohns disease and the surgery was to remove two sections of small intestine and a part of her colon. it went well, better then the doc expected. here is some pics that i posted a while ago in the what did you do to your cruiser this week thread. do you know what upper rad hose you are going to use and what thermostat housing. the TPI ones dont work with the cruiser or at least not well. i found a hose gates #20827 worked great just had to shorten it. and 4seasons thermostat housing #84852 it has the perfect angle to line up with the radiator inlet. if you got any other question just ask and if i can help i will.

take care!!

 

[lone gunman]

oh i forgot to post the baker site Baker Electronix and if you need a chip let me know and i will find the guy on pirate. i think he wants about 75.00 bucks which isn't bad compared to Howell and others. i used a custom chip with no vats and no emissions stuff with a little hotter spark and fuel curve. and my harness was from painless, got it cheap on eBay about $150.00