How can I get about 400 H.P. out of a TPI 350
08-24-2008, 08:40 PM
#21
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go carbed and nitrous, those motors respond well to nitrous. I'm sure you can find about a zillion decent heads for that motor and for cheap coin. post pics. I think its crazy that those cars are antiques now and people are restoring them. Not that they aren't worth it, just makes me feel old and weathered.
08-24-2008, 11:58 PM
#22
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Haha yeah, This project that I'm doing is a 1985 WS6 T/A T-Tops,M5,3.42 Borg Warner Posi, 4 wheel disc,fully optioned,Original 305 TPI.
What I'm going for is to make it a GTA Trans Am replica, and I'm doin a full rotissori restoration. Every nut,bolt, and body part taken off and body completely stripped to nothing.
So far I just have the rolling chassis with full undercoating underneath the car, all new suspensiom and brakes. I'm at a stand still right now saving some money to at least get paint on it (Burgundy). This will be a show car but not a trailer queen so thats why I want to build a good TPI motor so it will also haul *** but I want to look very original too.
Last edited by 93M6Formula; 08-25-2008 at 12:04 AM.
08-25-2008, 12:00 AM
#23
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go carbed and nitrous, those motors respond well to nitrous. I'm sure you can find about a zillion decent heads for that motor and for cheap coin. post pics. I think its crazy that those cars are antiques now and people are restoring them. Not that they aren't worth it, just makes me feel old and weathered.
Yeah Im doing a full body resto on it ( show quality ) but I want some power to back up the cosmetics I will post pics asap, so far I have just the rolling chassis with undercoating and an entire new suspension front/rear and new brake system.
08-25-2008, 04:51 PM
#25
tpis makes amazing stuff talk to them on the phone and get some advice from the pros. had a set up from them on stock inernals and heads in a full size blazer with a plow and it would smoke lightings and roast all 4 tires.
08-25-2008, 09:55 PM
#26
Launching!
you asked about building a TPI to 400 hp but ditching the long runner intake takes away the only thing that makes it a TPI, otherwise its just a fuel injectd small block, you'll miss the grunt of that LR setup too. TPIS and others sell a number of parts to retain the TPI look while getting enough airflow to nail your goal. couple a vortec base with vortec heads (from what i hear they respond well to bowl work and minor reshaping but not necessarily a full porting. plus they're so cheap they will help offset some of the cost of the induction), bump compression up a point (not sure how vortec head combustion chambers compare to stock TPI), and get a cam suitable for your engine's specs and operating range. 400 isn't a scary number and doesn't require crazy race induction setups to achieve. a mostly stock appearing engine bay while making that number is even more of a bragging right.
08-26-2008, 07:59 PM
#27
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you asked about building a TPI to 400 hp but ditching the long runner intake takes away the only thing that makes it a TPI, otherwise its just a fuel injectd small block, you'll miss the grunt of that LR setup too. TPIS and others sell a number of parts to retain the TPI look while getting enough airflow to nail your goal. couple a vortec base with vortec heads (from what i hear they respond well to bowl work and minor reshaping but not necessarily a full porting. plus they're so cheap they will help offset some of the cost of the induction), bump compression up a point (not sure how vortec head combustion chambers compare to stock TPI), and get a cam suitable for your engine's specs and operating range. 400 isn't a scary number and doesn't require crazy race induction setups to achieve. a mostly stock appearing engine bay while making that number is even more of a bragging right.
08-26-2008, 08:29 PM
#28
Launching!
of the TPI setup the only factory part i would keep would be the plenum, ported of course to match the flow capability of the base manifold. the factory runners are pretty small, would upgrade rather than port. looking at as cast flow numbers vortec heads actually flow more than untouched LS1 heads and have modern combustion chamber design on an old-school head. they have drawbacks but folks have done impressive things with them.
02-01-2009, 12:24 AM
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I took the stock tune and upped the Volumetric Efficiency 
Then again, I ddi the same thing on this LT1 heh It helps if you've allowed the motor the breathe better, and depending on how well it does, you can up the VE higher (but not too high mind you). I actually based my increase slightly on what Desktop Dyno's results were from a closely built TPI motor with more opened exhaust and more intake CFM. I don't know how to tune, and don't pretend to, but just changing the VE actually made a noticeable difference. Huge no, but noticeable, and since I didn't pay for the PROM to get burned (short of shipping and the price of the PROM, a whole $5), it was worth my time. If I knew more, I'd be able to tune better. All a learning experience.
Then again, I ddi the same thing on this LT1 heh It helps if you've allowed the motor the breathe better, and depending on how well it does, you can up the VE higher (but not too high mind you). I actually based my increase slightly on what Desktop Dyno's results were from a closely built TPI motor with more opened exhaust and more intake CFM. I don't know how to tune, and don't pretend to, but just changing the VE actually made a noticeable difference. Huge no, but noticeable, and since I didn't pay for the PROM to get burned (short of shipping and the price of the PROM, a whole $5), it was worth my time. If I knew more, I'd be able to tune better. All a learning experience. 
