firehawks

Hello all,
Need help with a replacement engine for my 1989 Camaro Iroc-z 350 TPI. The motor i have is shot, cant rebuild period. So been looking for a crate replacement but no luck with summit or jegs. I want to keep it on a budget of about $3000.00 and want to keep the TPI. I would prefer something that dont require computer tuning, cuz i have no clue as to want to do there. Summit has this 350 crate truck engine running vortec heads, could a person use this engine s and install the tpi vortec base plate. And swap the cam to stock to get away from computer tuning? This is the engine i was looking at Chevrolet Performance 350 C.I.D. 290 HP Engine Assemblies 12499529. Other then that what are others doing for replacements without tuning computer. Im just lost and want to get this up and running again. Thanks

HikoriYami

Well nobody else has thrown their hat in the ring, I'll go for it.

What happened to the engine? Depending on the level of destruction, this can be a "cheap" block swap or a total engine overhaul.

If the heads and intake are salvageable, I would get a roller 350 block off of craigslist, a junkyard, or summit if you have the cash, and bolt your TPI stuff to that. If you don't wish to tune, and your camshaft isn't torn up you can just put it in the "new" block. However, this is the perfect time to upgrade to something bigger if that's what you want.

The Chevy performance engine would be a good option. Your intake should bolt to it. Going to this will require tuning however, as the cam, heads, and I believe the compression ratio is different.

Tuning is not as hard as you think it will be. I tuned a LT1 to a new cam and injectors without many problems. The hard part is finding a interface to the computer and learning where the options are.

drdave88

iTrader: (3)

Since his is an 89, it's MAF so depending on the engine he gets, he MIGHT be able to get away without any tuning, although this is not the best route to go. Have you looked around for a used TPI engine to buy? You can get those way cheaper than $3k. Have a lil clean up work done and drop it in.
I'm also curious, why do you say it can't be rebuilt, everything is rebuildable. Does it still run or is there a hole in the side of the block from throwing a rod?

firehawks

block is .060 over and low compression in 3 cylinders. So pretty much shot. I really like the idea of doing the new L31 vortec setup and swapping the cam out for a little more power. The crane cam 2032 grind seems like the only way to go with out doing anything to the heads, and stay in my budget. Do you know if the valve springs that come in the new L31 will be ok to run with the crane cam or not? And I will get a tuned chip so can delete the egr and free up what ever else i can. Do you have any other suggestion. Thanks

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Just buy a crate vortec truck shortblock from GM (1200 or 1400 bux last time I bought 1) and swap all your other stuff over to it.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

There is a 290hp crate motor from Summit/GM that runs about $2500 I think. Take that, put your intake/TPI on it, put your accessories on it, drive away. This is the one I'm talking about, happens to be from JEGS but GM also sells it. All it needs is your intake, balancer, headers/manifolds, distributor, and drive away.
290HP GM crate motor

This particular one also has free shipping from Jegs... it's also broken in so you really don't have to worry much about anything breaking the first time you fire it up.