TPI vs. Carb?

[BELMONT148]

If you had to chose between setting up a SBC what would you go for? The quick simplicity of a new 600 cfm 4 barrel carb, or a TPI setup? I am looking for answers from people with experience in both. Particularly those that have done a stand alone FI system in an old car.

I have access to a complete TPI setup with a chip burner and extra chips. It would require myself doing some harness mods or purchasing a new one plus having to learn all the software. I will have between $400-$800 in it when it is all done.

Or I can get a new Edelbrock 4 barr. for $200 and call it good.

This will be going on a stock 305 with a RV (torque) cam and a 700R4 tranny.

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[Carp]

Are you talking about the TPI system similar to what came stock on the early 90's camaros? If so, I think that the TBI is the simpler system to install. The TPI does offer a slight improvement in performance, IIRC. I had one of those sitting in the garage for a while and it was going to be a headache to put in, from what I remember. If I had some money, and a SBC to put in the 60, I'd seriously consider something like what Edelbrock sells Edelbrock.com - EFI - Pro-Flo®2 EFI Systems - Chevrolet If you're on a budget, I'd try a TBI, seems it's been done several times on Mud.

Good luck, and keep us up to date.

 

[BELMONT148]

Just found this. Lots of good info. TBI might be the ticket.

In Praise Of Throttle Body Injection

Jeremy

 

[Trollhole]

Both.

Get the carb and get running. I've seen so many projects stalled and people loose interest because the vehicle was not running. Start with the carb get it running and worry about EFI later. Though the deal your getting sounds pretty good. I'd get both. Then start working on your harness and reading up on programming. From what I have read it's not real hard but getting the concept of how it works can be difficult.


Just last night I got my data cable and started doing basic datalogs.

 

[R.K.]

Later model Vortec engines can be bought at good deals now, I would (and did) go that route. You'll have a stronger engine than the 305, and it will be fuel injected.

 

[BELMONT148]

Maybe later, I just want to get the rig setup for the chevy stuff first. Throwing a complete vortec motor in later may be easier then. With the exoense of all the extras to do the swap, tranny, mounts, cooling, exhaust, Atlas, driveshafts, etc. the motor needed to be the least expensive part of the equation. I may go ahead and do both and work on the efi later.

So, $280 for a TPI setup with a burner over any TBI option would be the best huh? This also comes with a new S10 electric fuel pump. I think those run over $100 by themselves?

Jeremy

 

[Trollhole]

Later model Vortec engines can be bought at good deals now, I would (and did) go that route. You'll have a stronger engine than the 305, and it will be fuel injected.

I like your thinking.

 

[BELMONT148]

So maybe 305 carb now, Vortec 350 later. That might work, I have seen some for under $1000 lately. So for the price of the TPI installed, I can get a complete motor with ecm and harness. Just a little rewiring and PROM reprogramming and be set. Everything else would be the same, exhaust, tranny, crossmembers, etc.

Jeremy

 

[mooker82]

I would honestly go with a rebuilt quadrajet instead of a edelbrock. The quadrajet is known for good offroad performance and reliablilty.

 

[BELMONT148]

Thanks for the heads up on the Q Jet, the guy I bought the motor from is trying to sell me his NIB Edelbrock for $200. I have plenty of time to decide on a carb, so I will wait. I have heard good things about the old Rochester carbs. Where is the best place to get those? Summit has them for around $300.

Jeremy

 

[CandyPants]

Thanks for the heads up on the Q Jet, the guy I bought the motor from is trying to sell me his NIB Edelbrock for $200. I have plenty of time to decide on a carb, so I will wait. I have heard good things about the old Rochester carbs. Where is the best place to get those? Summit has them for around $300.

Jeremy

I don't know squat about carbs, but I know that I have an old Rochester in my cabinet o' parts and pieces. It will need cleaned/rebuilt/re-something-ed. But it's yours for shipping. Just bring the good cruiser karma my way.

 

[Capt. Jim]

I have run 450-600 cfm carbs, (Q-jet, Holley, Efedelbrock) off road. They all eventually will give you problems due to flooding while on unlevel ground.

Many years ago I went TBI, using the Holly Pro-jection system. It has run great ever since it was installed. (My truck even continued run while rolled-over on upper 2).

Getting ready to help a friend put one on his Big Block Chevy. The unit costs about $750.00 when I bought it and it took less than a day to install.

I highly recommend the Holly system. (Stay away from the one that needs to interface with a laptop for setup. That one is a PITA.

PM me if you need any more info.

 

[BillWright]

Carbs are dinosaurs, FI are horses. No off-road experience but all the many advantages of FI are even more important in the more difficult environment.
When's the last time you saw a new car with a carb? Did you think it was because FI is cheaper to build? It's because they're so much more reliable and drivable that customer complaints are far lower along with warranty cost and loss of loyalty. The advantages go on and on. Listen to experience eg Capt Jim.

OTOH I like the argument, was it Marshall?, of throwing a cheap carb on there for now to get everything running and dialed in, the fine tuning with a FI unit. Advantages being quicker and easier and cheaper to get on the road up front and long term you've got a carb for a spare fuel system after you go FI. FI are more reliable but things that can go wrong can be not user-serviceable field fix items, IMO.

b

 

[BELMONT148]

Looks like I will be going TBI. I passed on the TPI stuff because it seemed a little much, and I think the TBI will be simpler. I got an intake w/ TBI and all sensors and serpentine setup from an 88 van w/ no-ac complete with clutch fan, water pump, p. steering pump, and alt. Got it all for $100.

Now I just have to decide to clean and paint the TBI intake and hog out the inner bolts to work with the earlier heads, or use my new Edelbrock performer intake that has just been painted and use a TBI-4 barrel carb adapter?

Which one do you think? I will probably get an ECM and harness from AFI once I get it in the 40. They seem to be pretty good.

 

[Capt. Jim]

I am using the same Edelbrock manifold with the adapter plate.

 

[Sputnik40]

...It has run great ever since it was installed. (My truck even continued run while rolled-over on upper 2)...

True enough, excepting a little incident involving Green Cove gas that was actually "green" after a monsoon...only TBI system I've ever seen that didn't run on bad fuel - acknowledging that our Korona test picture demonstrated some serously green gas...

Upper 2 rolling on Upper 2 - what a great run that was!

Go TBI - you'll be very happy!