I am doing a motor swap in an 86 camaro z28. One of the first years they had the tuned-port injection, roller lifters, 64cc heads, etc. Too bad this motor has thrown multiple rods. My naive friend has bought a replacement 350 crate motor assuming all parts will swap to it. I don't think so. Am I mistaken? It seems this tuned-port intake manifold would only fit a specific setup. The crate motor has different heads ( 76cc comb. chambers), and the block is not fitted with roller lifters. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Sounds like he bought the early Gen 1 replacement, plrobably a goodwrench motor, maybe the 290 HP version. Those are the pre '86 variety. You are correct that the TPI manifold won't just bolt on, but it might be doable. The center bolts at the exhaust cross-over are vertical on the TPI manifold. If there is room to wrench the bolts, you can elongate the holes there and use an appropriate washer. Depending on pistons, the compression will be down. If the program is stock, it will be disagreeable to any cam change. That is a speed density system, so it will need tuning to run right on the change in compression and cam. I would suggest using the short block with the '86 model heads and selecting a non roller cam as close to the roller profile as possible.
You're right on Scotty. Its the goodwrench 290 with non-roller lifters/cam, and the large 76cc comb. chamber heads... When I get to work in about an hour, Ill post the head numbers. I guess I'm gonna have to find a non-roller cam with similiar profile as the tpi motor and hope for the best.... That intake manifold is another issue altogether. Id rather not go drilling into this longblock if I can avoid it. I think you're right about re-using the original heads on the shortblock. It raises the compression, they bolt up to that funky intake manifold, and Im left only to find a cam. This is my first dealing with this sbc series and I was unaware of the speed density system program in that pcm. Cam profile is a real issue, huh? Thanks for your help! Ill post again soon!
It's been a while since I messed with 3rd gens, but I think they need to mate to the L98 (?) Corvette heads to work. At least with the 350 TPI...305 might be a different animal. I'd ditch the TPI idea and get some Vortec Iron heads for that motor. Cheap horsepower.
My TPI is bolted to the old style heads and had no problem. The crate motor was an M series one piece rear main old style heads. Used an 85 melling corvette grind cam. I think a cam change to get you more vacuum will work. The TPI manifold didn't have to be altered. My intake is from a 85 camero 305 and the injectors were changed to the 350 numbers.
I am pretty sure you guys are wrong. The 86 tpi motor is a unique set up and the 87 up are different. The 86 intake will bolt to any early chevy head. Also the 86 is not speed density, unless it was updated. It has a mas airflow sensor and because of that, it will adjust for the different cam and compression. I have been running a stock 86 tpi set up in my car for years and I have no idea on what motor it is. I purchased the stuff at a swap meet, and just bolted it on. Now I will say your buddy will notice a loss of performance.
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