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Aftermarket TPI or TBI?

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Old 01-28-2009, 12:45 PM
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Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Aftermarket TPI or TBI?

I am trying to decide on an aftermarket EFI system and would like some input from guys who have any of these systems. I have a stock 305 with a T5. I would like to hear what system you have, how you like it, what kind of mileage you get with it, etc.

I would like something that gets good fuel mileage and is pretty affordable. It would be nice if it was also programmable enough to easily increase the power output.
Old 01-28-2009, 03:25 PM
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Re: Aftermarket TPI or TBI?

In California, you must have a CARB EO# to pass the visual inspection. The only tbi that will pass is the Edelbrock manifold for the stock tbi throttle body/injector set up. The modified tpi units thatr have large bases and large runners have the necessary #s. If you go that way, you don't need a new plenum, there is penty of "meat" in the stock plenum to port match it to the runners. The only total after market system available that is smog legal is the Super Ram. You will not find any adjustable chip. Those are totally illegal, so kno one makes one. You will need to either buy the necessary stuff, and go to the chip burning board to find someone who burns custom chips. If you live in So Cal, send a P.M. to Kevin91z. He burns custom chips on the side, and has burned chips for a bunch of 12 second cars, most of which will get 20-25 mpg on the highway, if the driver can resist using a heavy right foot!

I am presuming that you live in a part of California where most of the population is located. If you live in a part of the state that is not subject to the enhanced emission testing, like the central coast, Sierra-Nevada mountains (I suspect not including Lake Tahoe or Yosemite Valley) or up by the Oregon border, you might be able to get by with almost anything.

Last edited by Russ-So Cal; 01-28-2009 at 03:29 PM.
Old 01-28-2009, 08:43 PM
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Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Aftermarket TPI or TBI?

This car will be registered in Missouri. California smog will not be an issue.
Old 01-29-2009, 10:50 AM
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Re: Aftermarket TPI or TBI?

I think you would get your best fuel mileage with a tpi based system. You will also get the best driveability on the street from a tpi based system. A Holley Stealth Ram might be a good system for the street as well, but since it isn't smog legal here in Cali, I've never seen one or seen what they do in comparison with well thought out tpi systems or Super Rams. A system like the Holley efi that is essentially a 4 barrel carb manifold with a big throttle body and mpfi will make more hp, but it will do so at a sacrifice of low end torque. It might be the hot set up for the track if it out performs a carb set up, but I don't think it will work as well as a tuned system for the street.
Old 01-30-2009, 12:28 PM
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Re: Aftermarket TPI or TBI?

Originally Posted by Aaron R.
This car will be registered in Missouri. California smog will not be an issue.
It will be if you take the same stretch of road every day and the same cop sees you pass him all the time. That's your risk.

Multi-port EFI systems are light-years ahead of any two-injector TBI system. So look at the TPI systems for sure.
Old 01-31-2009, 04:04 PM
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Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Aftermarket TPI or TBI?

The reason I am even considering a Holley or Edelbrock TBI is because I have been pretty impressed with GM's TBI from those years. They seem pretty simple, reliable, and a good balance of power and mileage.
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