TPI-ing my 92 Silverado!!

[juanillox8]

So im gonna start my newest project, I decided to TPI my 92 silverado.

The plan:

Re-pin the original harness for the 7730 ecm
Re-wire the harness for the injectors and vss buffer
Will use a camaro prom
Install new fuel pump
Replace knock sensor
replace T.V. cable
Replace Throttle cable

Any thoughts??? :cool::chair:

http://i41.tinypic.com/25i3ubt.jpg

[juanillox8]

THE Unit!!!

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/100_1163.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/100_1162.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/100_1165.jpg

[juanillox8]

reserved

[juanillox8]

one more!

[juanillox8]

hmmm! should i even keep posting on this thread? its kinda odd not to see any interest on this, maybe its been covered enough or most of you guys out there are not really into
TPI's huh!

[DieselPower]

TPI looks nice, but I'm curious what the draw is. My last TPI vehicle was a 245 hp Corvette. It was fast and fun, but it paled in comparison to my Holley 600 equipped Corvette. Both were capable of about the same mpg numbers. What kind of power can be built from a TPI equipped vehicle? You've also got heads that are pretty restrictive, so unless you tackle that obstacle you are only going to see modest gains.

A lot of threads discuss hopping up a TBI-powered engine. The TBI setup is pretty much equivalent to a 2 bbl carb - there's no way they are going to flow enough air in through that little opening to make big power. I understand TPI is better, but how much better?

[bigolblackie]

I didnt feel worthy of commenting on such a hard endevour. I tip my hat to you,for taking on a big project like that. I was interested though in learning as much as I could about the tbi conversion. Its a shame more people havnt chimed in,but this is the classics section.(I believe Im on as I write this) so maybe alot of people just arnt seeing this thread. Good Luck.

[juanillox8]

TPI looks nice, but I'm curious what the draw is. My last TPI vehicle was a 245 hp Corvette. It was fast and fun, but it paled in comparison to my Holley 600 equipped Corvette. Both were capable of about the same mpg numbers. What kind of power can be built from a TPI equipped vehicle? You've also got heads that are pretty restrictive, so unless you tackle that obstacle you are only going to see modest gains.

A lot of threads discuss hopping up a TBI-powered engine. The TBI setup is pretty much equivalent to a 2 bbl carb - there's no way they are going to flow enough air in through that little opening to make big power. I understand TPI is better, but how much better?

Very true, thats why im actually using L98 heads which are the ones used on TPI engines, i do agree with you on the performance gain comment, it will not be BIG, but i know it will be noticeable.

[juanillox8]

I didnt feel worthy of commenting on such a hard endevour. I tip my hat to you,for taking on a big project like that. I was interested though in learning as much as I could about the tbi conversion. Its a shame more people havnt chimed in,but this is the classics section.(I believe Im on as I write this) so maybe alot of people just arnt seeing this thread. Good Luck.

Thanx man Highly appreciate it. i think i have enough knowledge to get this done but we'll se how it goes along the way!

[GarnetRed4.3]

I don't know very much about the technical aspects of converting from TBI to TPI, so I won't be much help in that regard. However, I do think it's a great idea, and a great swap for your truck. Personally, I think GM should have put the TPI system on trucks from the factory because of the amount of torque and usable power that those intake systems produce.

Looks like you have a really nice polished set-up. Looks good.

Now, what I can offer is some thoughts on how to really make some power with that set-up...

First off, the factory dual 48mm throttle body is probably large enough for whatever you are doing until you get into stroker engines and much higher horsepower levels. So I'd stick with the factory one, maybe stick in one of those air foils that seem to work pretty well for most of the Camaro guys, and put my money elsewhere.

Next, I would definitely look into porting the upper plenum, as it is one of the biggest restrictions. If you can't do it yourself, this guy does amazing work (if you can do it yourself, just take a look at what he does to get an idea of what to do):
http://corvetteplenum.com/Products.htm

The next thing I would do is get rid of the factory runners, as they are VERY restrictive higher in the RPM range. There are several companies that produce them (AS&M, Edelbrock, Accel, and SLP). They all leave a good amount of room for porting if you choose to go bigger later. Personally I really like the SLP runners...they are siamesed and have a really clean look. Just make sure that whatever runners you get that they are compatible with the same year intake manifold that you have.

You mentioned using the L-98 heads. Those will be an upgrade from the factory TBI heads. And they will be really great if you can do some porting on them, and if the budget allows drop in some 2.02int/1.60exh valves. But better than porting the L-98 heads, get yourself a set of Vortec heads (and maybe if you really want to drop in some larger valves in the same 2.02/1.60 sizes I mentioned). Now, if you decide to go with Vortec heads, you'll need to change out the base of the intake manifold with one from either Edelbrock or Scoggin Dickey Performance (SDPC)..they are both a high-flow base with the correct bolt patterns, etc. to mate up with the Vortec heads. Either way a high flow intake base would be a good addition, or at the very least, port the stock base.Check out what a Vortec head swap was worth over the L98s in these two articles:
http://www.camaroperformers.com/camaro-tech/engine/third-gen-camaro-vortec-heads-install/viewall.html
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/56858_tpi_intake_vortec_head/index.html

Most people don't care for the TPI system because it is limiting in the upper RPM range. The factory pieces usually fall flat around 4800 or so. But some of that RPM limit had to do with the cam that was in those TPI engines. So if you do the modifications to the intake system, and put in a relatively small cam (like a Comp 266 or 268), the engine will continue to make power up until somewhere around 5500, and will have an incredibly usable power curve. Besides, how often are you above 5000rpm anyway?

Check out this all out TPI build: http://www.superchevy.com/technical/engines_drivetrain/induction_poweradders/sucp_0703_stealth_tpi_induction/viewall.html

458HP and 534FT/LBS from 383ci...AND over 500ft/lbs from 3200rpm-4600rpm!!!

Hopefully, that gives you some ideas, and some confidence that you can make some good power with that intake, and it will work out awesome in a heavy truck.

[juanillox8]

HOOOOLLY Shhhh! thanks for taking the time to write this and post links, that is Great info to work with! for now im only doing the heads and the tpi its already ported, reason why im only doing this for now is because as soon as i get a better place to do my projects i wanna drop built 454 in... but if my plans change i Will use this information for sure!

[DieselPower]

The Vortec heads are much better than the L98 heads - if you want power, it would be worth swapping them out. I understand the desire to keep it streetable though, power is great - but a daily driver shouldn't be too crazy.

I'm still trying to figure out the draw for a BBC in a lightweight truck (RCSB trucks are NOT heavy at all!). A 350 can build plenty of power and break the back end loose anytime you want it to, a BBC is just heavy and will kill any trace of handling. Beef it up a bit and it is still heavy, but gets to be serious overkill as the back end just won't stick. Don't get me wrong, a BBC sounds great and can be awe-inspiring, but if you cannot hook it up, it's just wasted.

[GarnetRed4.3]

HOOOOLLY Shhhh! thanks for taking the time to write this and post links, that is Great info to work with! for now im only doing the heads and the tpi its already ported, reason why im only doing this for now is because as soon as i get a better place to do my projects i wanna drop built 454 in... but if my plans change i Will use this information for sure!

No problem. I have seriously considered a TPI motor in my truck, so that's how I knew about all that stuff. Unfortunately, an engine swap isn't in the cards for me at the moment.

I love starting with something that is a bit of an underdog and brushed off to the side by most people, as well as things that are just a little bit out of the box. The TPI engines are just that. GM never really reached the full potential of the TPI before moving to the LT1, which was also short-lived before the ever popular LS engines.

You'll do well with gas mileage as well...I've read about guys dropping a bone stock 350 TPI into a full size truck and knocking down 23-25mpg. Brand new trucks are barely getting that!

Good luck getting that thing swapped on, and keep this thread updated.

[GarnetRed4.3]

The Vortec heads are much better than the L98 heads - if you want power, it would be worth swapping them out. I understand the desire to keep it streetable though, power is great - but a daily driver shouldn't be too crazy.

I'm still trying to figure out the draw for a BBC in a lightweight truck (RCSB trucks are NOT heavy at all!). A 350 can build plenty of power and break the back end loose anytime you want it to, a BBC is just heavy and will kill any trace of handling. Beef it up a bit and it is still heavy, but gets to be serious overkill as the back end just won't stick. Don't get me wrong, a BBC sounds great and can be awe-inspiring, but if you cannot hook it up, it's just wasted.

The Vortec heads will certainly add more power than the L98s, but they won't affect the streetability of the engine. Check out either of those links I posted in my previous post where they did the Vortec head swap on a 350 TPI. Both got about 356hp @ 4800-4900ish rpm at the flywheel, which translates to around 285hp at the wheels...all with the stock cam, so you still have stock like driveability. And the torque numbers was what was really impressive to me in those articles. The streetability is going to be determined more by the camshaft selection in the given application that we are discussing.

The draw to a BBC is simple....IT'S A BIG BLOCK!!! That's about as simple as I can make that argument...people love BIG engines. Now, everything you said is true regarding hooking up the power, hurting handling, etc., and I don't disagree with you there. Just depends on what you want out of your vehicle. That 383 TPI similar to what Super Chevy Magazine did in the link I posted would be awesome...Big block power in a small block package, and it did so without having a radical cam profile or having some high rpm torque curve.

[93ChevyTBI]

subbed.....considered doing this to mine a few years ago.

[juanillox8]

Just got my toya on the mail yesterday :)

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/IMAG0192.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/IMAG0188.jpg

[juanillox8]

Now the plan for the weekend...

Get this monster painted :)

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/IMAG0193.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/IMAG0194.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/juanillox8/IMAG0196.jpg

And then TPI-ing TIME!!!!

[GarnetRed4.3]

Awesome! Looks like someone put in a good bit of time polishing that thing. First thing I would do is check it over and make sure you're not missing anything. Then I'd jump on SummitRacing and order a set of the SLP intake runners for to replace those stock runners, and if you found anything missing, order a replacement. Those SLP runners will be easy to polish up to match, or you could sand them down and paint them in a wrinkle black finish for some contrast..just a thought.

You might also order up one of those port and polish kits...they are pretty cheap. That way you can port out that upper plenum yourself, unless you plan to send it off to the guy that runs corvetteplenum.com that I mentioned earlier.

Just do the work now. If you say you'll do it later, the likelihood of it actually getting done later will be slim because that will mean disassembling everything AGAIN, and then having your truck out of commission during that time. Better to just do it right the first time.

[juanillox8]

[QUOTE=GarnetRed4.3;5485176. Better to just do it right the first time.[/QUOTE]

Agreed.
well i think im gonna keep it like this for now, i wanna take advantage that we are kinda slow at the shop for the season and i rather start the project at work and do the rest at home because there wont be too much customizing left...but we'll see how it goes during the weekend....Can't WAIT hah

[Maestro]

OK man, holidays are over, let's see some progress pics!

I'm glad to see someone doing this. I've reached the stock fueling limits on my strokered L31, so I'm starting to consider a new manifold. The marine conversion just seems boring to me; if I do a new manifold it will be the F.I.R.S.T Fuel injection TPI unit. So, I think this is awesome. If there was ever a vehicle class that suits TPI perfectly, it's trucks.

[survivorcamaro]

yeah wheres the updates man?

[GreenVortec]

What will you be using to control the injectors? i thought the TBI used two injectors.. So will you need to be using some sort of Piggy back computer? or something along the lines of an LT1 computer?

[Maestro]

What will you be using to control the injectors? i thought the TBI used two injectors.. So will you need to be using some sort of Piggy back computer? or something along the lines of an LT1 computer?

He's going to the 7730 ECM. TPI was one of its original applications, so he'll be good to go.