TPI in a 1988 Monte Carlo SS

TPI.jpg

GM Tuned Port Injection

It's the year 2002. I'm sick of carbs. Injection is the right thing. So it's spring time and I find myself without a current project. I pop the hood on the Monte Carlo and see a 14 year old carb on a 4 year old motor. This has got to change. It runs rich. It leaks gas. It refuses to start up smoothly (but to her credit, she *always* starts). I don't hate my Q-Jet. It's actually a great carb. It's just time for a change. I want to tune the motor with a laptop, not a screwdriver and jet kits. I must admit that it amuses me that if I go with a 1987 TPI setup, I'll be putting 15 year old technology into a 14 year old car and it's *still* better.

So I need to be injected. Great. But what system to use? Here are some of the choices:

Well, I don't like TBI. And the aftermarket systems *start* at $1,500. TPI is reliable and proven, and cheap. Not a very tough decision in a Chevy. Now, for my Mopar, it's pretty much going to have to be an aftermarket system, but that's another story.

Granted, aftermarket MPFI systems *are* better than GM TPI. TPI has limitations on power levels largely based on restrictions at high RPM. However, I'm confident that if I run into a wall and I can't get any more power out of my setup, that the aftermarket will help me advance my factory TPI setup. I should really get the car dyno'd before and after the swap... oh yeah, I don't have that kind of money lying around. :(

So I start reading about injection. Here is a great place to start. There are tons of references on the 'net and in print. Eventually I'll compile a list. Also, the day after I decided to go injected, the current issue of Car Craft magazine arrived, and wouldn't you know, the entire issue was dedicated to fuel injection. I took that as a sign to go for it.

So I start looking around to see what exactly I'm looking for in a used TPI system. Here's what I turned up from Google searches, FAQ's and the always helpful Monte Carlo mailing list. Note that what I'm looking for is specific to my SS, not every TPI swap. I will also note that I'm NOT dropping in an entire TPI motor. I already have a nice 355 in my Monte. I'm just converting it to TPI. There are significant changes in the TPI engines over the years, but I'm ignoring those. For example, in 87 they started using roller cams. In 1988 they went to the serpentine belt setup. You get the idea...

Everyone has a different version of what "a complete system" is. Here's a list from FuelInjection.com. I'm using this as my checklist to evaluate the systems people might be selling. 

1) intake manifold 
2) intake runners 
3) water outlet 
4) bolts
5) plenum 
6) plenum extension (dist. cover)
7) fuel rails 
8) fuel injectors
9) throttle body 
10) fuel pressure regulator 
11) vacuum hose assembly
12) coolant temp sensor 
13) manifold air temp sensor
14) knock sensor 
15) oxygen sensor
16) manifold pressure sensor (SD or MAF)
17) throttle position sensor 
18) idle air control valve
19) throttle cable bracket 
20) EGR blockoff plate
21) ECM
22) wiring harness

Here's a table showing the part numbers for the ECMs:

F = F-body / Y = Corvette

CarYearEngineGM ECM Part #
F,Y1985305/3501226870
F,Y1986-1989305/3501227165 / 16198259
F1990-1992305/3501227730 / 16198262
Y1990-19913501227727 / 16197128
Y1992LT1 35016159278
F1993LT1 35016159278

June 28, 2002 - I purchased a TPI setup tonight from a friend named Sam at a local car show I go to. I can finally join the injection game. The short description of the system is that it's a 1987 Camaro unit, converted from MAF to SD with an aftermarket wiring harness and a 1990-92 ECM. I still have to see what the PROM is, but I'll need to burn a new one regardless.

I'm still concerned about a few things. 1) VSS signal 2) will my cam play nicely with TPI? 3) Figure out what I do and don't have in the aftermarket wiring harness.

Now, I'll still need to gather more parts before I even begin the conversion, but I'm off to a pretty good start.

Here's my system currently: 

1) intake manifold - yes, 1987-up style, will need to slot the holes
2) intake runners - yes
3) water outlet - NO
4) bolts - NO
5) plenum - yes
6) plenum extension (dist. cover) - NO
7) fuel rails - yes
8) fuel injectors - yes, but for a 305, need new injectors
9) throttle body - yes
10) fuel pressure regulator - yes, nice new aftermarket
11) vacuum hose assembly - NO
12) coolant temp sensor - yes
13) manifold air temp sensor - NO
14) knock sensor - yes
15) oxygen sensor - yes
16) manifold pressure sensor (SD or MAF) - interestingly, this 1987 unit has been converted to Speed Density
17) throttle position sensor - yes
18) idle air control valve - yes
19) throttle cable bracket - yes
20) EGR blockoff plate -  yes
21) ECM - yes #1227730 (1990-1992 F-Body)
22) wiring harness - yes, aftermarket - TPI-Tech (will have to research this)

So, what will I still need to get? A lot.

December 10 2002 - Sorry, but no change here. I have gathered many parts for the TPI swap but I'm still driving around with the Q-Jet. In fact I just passed my 2002 Maryland Emissions test with flying colors. So why no TPI yet? Simple, too many other projects in line first. I'll get back to this project eventually.

December 18 2002 - I think I've decided to hold off on the TPI swap for now as I've got too many other things going on.

December 30 2002 - My TPI setup has been SOLD and the money will get rolled into my T56 swap (even though I broke even on the TPI system).

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