Change TPI out for Carburated system; HP gain or fall?

[B2k4E]

I was getting the idea to change out my TPI system in favor of a carburated system since we have a couple of 350 eldbrock manifolds and some 2 bbl and 4 bbl carbs laying around as well. I've heard that the standard TPI system is kinda restrictive on a 383 motor. So would changing the manifold and installing a carb give more or less Horse Power? Also, what all troubles would I possibly have? This is on a 350 block that originally was a 350 TPI, but got bored over to a 383.

Let the advice, begin!

[Camaroirocz]

Carbed motor, really? I know they have their places but me personally man, I'd put a Holley Stealth Ram on there if you're doing a 383. Seriously, a carbed motor has it's pro's/con's but I'd much rather have fuel injection at the end of the day. Unless of course this car is a weekend only car, then maybe you can just throw on a carbed intake.

[BlueZee28]

I'll never own a carb'd car. My honest opinion, while it may be offensive to some, is that people who switch from fuel injection to carb are hoosiers.


Put a Holley Stealth Ram on it, or something similar. There's a couple of good options for you when you need more air for a bigger cube motor. Don't go carb though...you'd be losing technology and they're ugly as sin.

[The Project]

My 89 IROC is a TPI and my 87 Trans Am is a carb.

I'd stick to TPI or put a "first injection" intake on it. Similar to a stelth ram but better on the street.

[KMK454]

I would swap the TPI for a carb, and also add autometer gauges, a flowmaster, and a skull shifter.

[B2k4E]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've been without internets in my new apartment so I'm at the local Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Ya, I've ditched the idea and instead I think I'm going to install hi-flow Eldebrock TPI Runners and intake manifold. Then get a Holley 58 mm Throttle body, some larger injectors, and a hypertech PROM chip to remove the governor and give it a bit more HP. Might throw in a wilder cam too and a nice set of headers.

I've got a 383 stroker (mild cam with a 400 crank.) and a guy on here with a very similar setup (all stock TPI 383 stroker) said that his dyno'd out to 295 HP before flat-lining, most likely due to restricted air flow.

However one question still remains...

Is there a Hi-flow TPI plenium too; and if so, who makes it and where can I get it?

Also this very bookstore has a book I'm thinking of getting called "The chevy small block TPI swapper's guide." It covers details on the SBC L98 and B2L TPI engines.