Engine Help

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DaytonaTA1983

New to the forum and 1st post
Ive been restoring and working on a 1983 Trans AM Daytona 500 Pacecar.
Cars not too bad but the engine set up is crap, im sure youll know the system, CROSSFIRE
Well now i have decided im keeping her and im gonna do it right
Question is what should i do and which would be easier.
I can get an LT1 complete engine with harness computer block accessories etc etc out of a 94 Fleetwood, but is an a drop in? Will it work? or option 2 i remove the crossfire intake and drop in a TPI set up,
Either way will cost me about 500 bucks for all the parts labor will be free, i want to do the LT1 but what problems may i have?
 
Do whatever makes you happier, If you have an LT1 ready to go, then it may be worth the investment, I likethe TPI setup myself, Looks cooler in m opinion. Use the LT1 heads with the TPI, have a nice sleeper. I think too much wiring and electrical work to swap an lt1 into a Crossfire car. Ill tell you, your cars suspension and frame is NOT strong enough stock to handle the 275 HP LT1. Youll have to do a lot of other changes there too. The TPI may not be as fast, but you wont have to spend as much money on the entire car. This I know, i have done it and delt with it, I put an LT4 Corvette engine in a 88GTA, thought Id be safe, WRONG, twisted the frame first pass at the track. Good luck, let us know what you decide.
 
well then it looks like the TPI would be best
what all do i need
ecm and complete intake is obvious
ive done some reading and looks like an tpi fuel pump as well?
would my harness work with minor modification or would i need the tpi harness..
 
To make things less complicated, I would use the complete setup, your fuel pump will be fine, unless you start putting some major modifications onto it, but then youll be changing almost everything like I said prior. Im not to sure what heads are on your car, ill assume that they are the same as the TPI but look into that further, also there was 2 TPI's, a 305 and a 350, If you can, get the 350 intake, some people think its the same, but its not, the injectors are different, and I think the intake bore is also. On my 1991 that I just sold, I had a complete SLP kit on my TPI, and I made over 340 HP withought NOS, But I had the intake changed from a TPI to the "T" ram, ( I think thats the proper name ) intake from SLP, Its really hard to find, and around 1100 bucks canadian for a good one, but that alone added 35 honest HP. and that will bolt on to the existing TPI setup, injectors and all. Use the heads that you have if you get the 305 intake, if not, go aluminum, or find some from a 350. If yours are still ok, use them. Would also recomend, once you get the computor harnes, get a Hypertech chip, the reason for that is the factory had the computor tuned for fuel miledge, I had the chip put in, and that was 40 HP and that was the first mod I did, was worth the money, there not that expensive, around 299 or so depending on where you get them. Good luck.
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yea the 1st thing i did with my 83 TA was buy a chip for the x-fire, it helped alot before it i had issues trying to spin'm off, with the Chip i NEVER had that problem anymore ahahaha
 
If you can, find a complete engine from a GTA or a trans am and drop it in, that will be easier, try and find one that has been written off
 
Weld in Sub-Frame connectors would have saved the frame although the rear may not of held up long.


Carguy is right though, there will be some electrical work involved even with the harness. Painless wiring can help you out there but will be a little pricey. Have sfc's welded in either way if you plan to make any power and race the car and you'll need to beef up the drivetrain. ie: trans work, driveshaft, rear end. Good luck with it and keep us posted on progress.
 
If you are planning on upgrading your Motor, the LT1 manifold would be a better choice. The TPI Manifold will quit making power at about 4500 RPM. The 305 TPI has 19lb/hr injectors, and the 350's are 24lb/hr.
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