TPI in my Vette

[MLGower]

I've been considering putting a TPI fuel injection unit into my '78 and wondered about a few things. I'm hoping someone out there has done this in California and can answer a few questions.

1. What about the Smog Pump? Do I get to throw it away, or do I have to keep it?

2. What's the best solution for Fuel lines from the tank on the C3?

3. Any Suggestions on the fuel Pump? I'm planning on adding an external pump, not an in-the-tank type.

4. Has anyone used a TPI from a Vette? Or is it better to go with one from another car like a Camaro ot TA?

5. Wiring Harness....Should I use one from a donor, or is there a company out there that makes one?

6. Can I adapt a serpintine belt system from one of the newer motors? Did they use the serpintine on the 86 Vette? Other than having to replace the water pump, is there anything else I need to know about that?

7. What's a real cost estimate on this?

8. Will I have any problems with Smog in Cali?

Getting the TPI setup isn't a problem (Tons of them on Ebay and in the junk yards). What worries me are all the little details that can turn this into a nightmare.

Thanks in Advance!!!!

Michael

 

[Wegone]

I changed a 1980 over to a 91 TPI & 4L60 a few years back..

1. It left the smog pump off just used the cat and had no proublem with passing emissions

2. I put the fuel pump. on the back frame rail right side

3. I think I used a holley

4. Just replaced the intake up and dist.

5. Wiring harness and computer. came from Howell Industry. they also supplyed the pump.

6. Used old belt system but with elec. fans

7. Cost around $2000.00 not counting tranny

The change went very easy ,plug and go I have a pic on my home page of the vette..

Steve

 

[cruzer99]

Well.....you are in for a big job and not cheap.
1. Use one from a 91 or later. (MAP)
2. Get the computer and all of the engine sensors.
3. Get a Painless wiring kit with new chip. (around 500.00)
4. Get the tank sending unit/pump.
5. Rebuild the TPI.
6. Get the dist. and throttle linkage.
This is just for starters.......Have fun
7. Leave it alone or rebuild what you have.

 

[MLGower]

Steve,
Did you have any problems with fit using the 91 setup? I have heard that the intake from the 91 won't fit without modification. Also, You say you removed the smog pump. Was this a California Car, or was the smog done here? I'm curious, because the smog nazi's here are really bad when it comes to testing and I don't want to be caught in that trap / mess.

Cruzer82,
Why use the MAP system? from my understanding, you have to burn a new chip everytime you make a change / Mod. The MAF system allows for a percentage of changes (10 -15%) before having to burn a new chip. It also allows for performance degradation over a period of time due to wear and tear.

I wouldn't even be looking at this except it ****es me off that I get maybe 10 MPG and my Wife's Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab, Long Bed Big A**ed truck is getting 18 - 23MPG!!!

I am planning on pulling from a donor car for most things and just need to find out about all those annoying details that makes a job like this good or bad.

Thanks for the info!!!!

Michael

 

[cruzer99]

MLG
I am not 100% on this but I have been told the MAF requires you to run the ugly air intake among other things. I put the MAP on my 34 and maybe I was lucky (it was out of a 91 TA), but it worked out OK.
Have you looked at just getting what you have to breath better and some taller gears in the back end?

If you call JEGS or Painless about what you want to do they will be a lot of help. Just a thought.........

 

[BigRed]

He's right, if you run the TPI with MAF you have to have the cylinder sensor. Ive seen one in a Hot Rod one time and all he did was bolt the MAF right to the throttle Body and a oval cone Filter to the end of the MAF it did'nt look bad at all, it was small and worked great!

The only reason for the long runner tube on the C4 is because of the Air Dam being so far forward.

Shop for any TPI system you can find is my suggestion.

Oh and from a thread I ran this week. the Smog junk won't hurt you computer, performance, or fuel mileage if pulled. So junk it. Thats my next project to.

Then again don't they have carb mount injection as well? Would that be cheaper? What about doing a little performance mod while your in there? ( www.TPiS.com )

 

[Wegone]

No problems with the fit the unit is lower than a Quad-bog, The emissions in Ga. may not be the same as Calf. But it passed with room to spare..

I had Howell make an extra long harness and put the computer in the compartment behind the pass. seat same as 82.

MAP is the way to go less $'s and easy to set up, you will have to have a chip set up for your Vette, Trany & rear ratio, idle speed....They use an F-Body computer so chip changes were not an issue.

Went from 3Krpm's at 70mph to 2Krpm's at over 23mpg the 4L60 trans helped...

If I had not gotten the bug for a ZR-1 I would not have sold the 80...

 

[MLGower]

I have already rebuilt the carb and have added a new coil and advance curve set to it. The problem is I use this as my daily driver and it's only getting 10MPG if I keep my foot out of it. the Gears in the back are 3.08 and short of changing to a 700R4 (a MOD I have planned for later), changing anything there isn't going to do much. I'd be more than happy to run the MAP system, as long as I can install it (Worried about fit). As far as I am concerned, the Carb on this thing is a piece of Cr** and I'll be happy to be rid of it.

Thanks!!!!

 

[cruzer99]

Keep your tranny in mind as far what you are going to end up with. Most TPI systems and thier harness's, cpu's, and are set up for the later model 4 speed OD (700r4).

 

[Wegone]

When I get another C-3 I'll do the same to it.. Just turn the key and go..I'll never go back to a carb..

Good Luck drop me a line if you go for it and need some help I've done 3 so far 80,69 and 58...

 

[topless82vette]

Mlgower

I have a nice tpi unit for sale, its a mass air camaro/firebird unit, has distributor, mass flow sensor, tpi charcoal canister, condition of the injectors isn't known, and throttle body needs two bolts tapped, also has a very nice painless harness with a rebuilt computer, and prom, the tpi unit will need a bolt kit and gaskets, you will need a tps sensor,knock sensor,speed sensor to run the system, I dont think any of the runners have any dents, but I will check it out real good for you if your interested in it, I would like at least 350.00 for the setup, and I will deliver it for free.

as for the map tpi unit yes it will fit your engine I have one on a 84 305 that was a mass air unit converted to map sensor, but the problem with the vettes tpi unit is it draws egr gases from the exhaust manifold so there isnt a passage in the intake for your heads which means it will fail a emmisions test,you can run a map tpi unit by simply unplugging the mass air's 9th injector, and tapping the plenum for a vacuum fitting thats how I did mine, as for serpentine setup I did a camaro unit on my 82 vette it fit but took some work, a vettes serpentine system looks like a bolt on, smog laws are like this it has to be a improvement, and newer than the model year and you have to use all the emmisions equipment off the donor car, it must then be certified emmisions legal by a referee, all tpi motors had a smog pump so you will need that

 

[cruzer99]

Hey topless if Mlgower doesn't want it let me know.

Hey Mlgower I think you better grab the one topless has, it sounds like a great deal.

 

[klb76]

sounds like a good deal to me!!! I would jump on that if you are serious about TPI.

klb

 

[Yoda]

I'm a little late with this, and it may or may not help, but I thought I would post Nolan Carboni's article anyway. Nolan Carboni and the first 1982 TPI Installation

BudD

 

[MLGower]

Topless,
Thanks for the offer, but I am not quite ready to buy yet. Sounds like a good deal though. I want all the info I can get on this before I even attempt it.

Rare81,

 

[MLGower]

You know, I just hate when I push the wrong button.

Rare81,
Thanks for the article, I look forward to reading it. I also found a good site for this stuff at www.chevythunder.com (found this on another thread). They have all kinds of info on this, but not specific to the C3 Corvette.

Thanks!!!

 

[KANE]

Think ghetto....

Hit the salvage yards....

Hit EBAY....

Use a painless harness....




The rest is really up to you on where you want what sensor.