ILMODC

Hey gang, its been a while.

In approximately two weekends, a few of us are removing the TPI 305 from my 1987 TA and dropping a TPI 350 from a 1991 Z.

Any unforeseen obstacles ? I know its not plug and play but any wiring harness delemas or things I should be worried about.

Kevin/Don: I know I asked this one time about a year ago, but is this something you guys can help me get running? New chip, etc?

I'm searching the swap threads but because there's a great So Cal third gen community and because I know you guys, thought I'd post this up here.

Appreciate the feed back!

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Will you be running it on the MAF system or SD?

Do you have the wiring harness for the '91?

It is not compatable with the '87 car, but can be made to work if you want to go SD.

Chip work can be handled by Kevin.

ILMODC

Howdy Sir,

Speed density or MAF? Me personally, I don’t have a preference. I eventually want to beef up the motor with some bolt on’s. The motor was rebuilt only a year or two ago, so cruising around in a stock 350 TPI is ok for me…..for now . I’ve been out of it for so long, I will have to read up on the difference and what fits with what I want out of the car.

Unfortunately, I do not have the harness from the 91. My buddy needed to keep that for his project. Should I obtain a 1991 harness to make things easier? Or will it make a difference.

What is really unfortunate is I don’t even have all the accessories for the 1991. So I might have to put in the motor and make it a V-belt and put back on all the 1987 accessories. The shop that pulled the motor out of the 1991 had nuts, bolts and parts all over the place. I did get a few brackets, AC, alternator and I’m not sure what else. I might have enough to make it work, but again, I’m dealing with a 1987 car (harness, etc). If I recall, AC and Alternator are in different locations.

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

The '87 TPI intake will bolt right onto the '91 engine block and heads. You wont have any problems with that at all, and you can keep it as '87 MAF. The '91 plenum, runners, and throttle body are not compatible with your '87 stuff, but the fuel rail, lower intake manifold, and injectors are interchangeable. You'll need to keep your '87 EGR valve though, as it has the temp sensor screwed into it that the ECM needs to see.

Your '87 v-belt stuff will bolt right up to the '91 engine too.

If and when you want to convert it to speed density, its just a matter of repinning your existing '87 harness.

ILMODC

Mkay. So…..

If I literally retain the 1987 TPI and Vbelt stuff and essentially only swap the block & heads then would I still need a new chip? It’s basically still a 1987 TPI but a 350cu in. I could drive it once the swap is done? (Perhaps I will retain the 1991 intake as the old 1987 one is pretty crusty!)

I was liking the idea of the HP/Tq #s from the stock 1991 350, but this works too. It won’t be a fast right but still - It will be drivable.

smart7final

I have a question about this also will it pass smog cuz I was talking to my smog guy and I had asked him about doing an 350 swap from an 89 and he told me it won't pass smog. If it was an 87 block it would pass smog But not an 89 I think its . But thats wat he said

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Here's the deal,
use the '91 long block, put in the '91 injectors, use the '91 intake parts (and various other 350 pieces) the '87 v-belt parts and Kevin can change the program to the '89 setup using your computer and memcal by reprograming it.

Then it will look and act like an '89, (same plenum & runners & TB)which is a completely legal swap.
That guy is totally off base.
Besides, don't even mention it, no one would know the difference.

Imadude_134

iTrader: (9)

mine passed smog, and m long block is from an 89 GTA, swapped into a 91 RS...

btw, if you are interested in a new harness, i have one from a 90 Formula that has been modified to fit into a 91 (they wire a little bit differently). The only reason that I didn't use it was because of the different battery locations on a firebird and camaro, which shouldnt be a problem since it is going into an 87 TA.

Let me know if you are interested in it

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Sorry Tim,
A '90-'92 harness is not compatable with an '87 car.

smart7final

This has helped me alot I didn't post this but it still helped Im gonna do a swap withan 85 350 im turning into a 355. Found the motor for 300 on craigslist.

ILMODC

Ok, I think I follow. Wow. Can you imagine trying to explain any of this a smog guy or anyone else for that matter out side of this community? LOL. Whats funny is I was looking back at one of my old smog certs and someone ran the car as a “350cu in / 5.7L”. Not sure if that is a good thing or not.

Ok, I like the idea of using the 1991 injectors, etc. I want the most bang out of the car here: even if that means waiting having to wait and get a chip done for it.

Kevin: If I get this swap done with in the next few weeks, will you be available to do a chip for it say mid/late August? Would I tow the car to Don’s shop?

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

If you get all the parts installed correctly, he can make up a program close enough to drive it over.

Imadude_134

iTrader: (9)

Ah, thanks for the heads up. Wasnt aware of that.

P.S. Don, if you run across anyone who needs one, let me know.

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

Your '87 engine is a roller cam block, but the '85 is not. The benefits of a roller cam far outweigh the cheapness of a non-roller, in my opinion. I'd pass on the '85 and search for a 87+ roller block.

ILMODC

Thanks again fellas for all the help! I look forward to getting the car back out on the road and coming out some time to join you guys. Did I mention the tags expired in April of 1998. Just to give you an idea of how long the car has been dry docked.

For simplicity, I’ll swap all the accessories and the whole TPI from the 5.0 to the 5.7 and call it a day…..for now.

With that said, I’ll have to replace the intake manifold gasket. Do you guys see any of the local auto parts store keeping those in stock?

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

By intake manifold gasket you mean the one between the intake manifold and the head? Yes that is a standard small block chevy part. If you mean the TPI intake gaskets, then maybe not. Its better to get the Accel ones anyway as the gaskets are larger for the aftermarket runners and base.