Tuned port injection good or bad - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GRASSHOPPER · 05-24-2011, 09:30 AM

i have 87 iroc with the tpi 305 and auto with 3.23 rear gears. i was wondering why they droped the tpi set up for tbi
alsio, i have not even had my car out for a spin yet since i got it and everyone says these 305 are dogs but then someone says they are good and yes i would rather have a 350 and 3.73 gears but i don't and i won't be changing anything unless they they become unrepairable, as my car is all original except the stereo. is my car going to be able to put its tail lights in front of mustang?

KMK454 · 05-24-2011, 12:39 PM

The TPI setup stayed around, it wasn't dropped. The 305 TBI was available but the top dog motors were the LB9 305 TPI and the L98 350 TPI.

Judged within the context of its time, the TPI was a good setup. Nowadays the LTx and LSx series of motors have surpassed and then some the capabilities of the TPI. That being said, a TPI motor has a unique look and feel.

As far as performance... well, thirdgens are all over the place. Option one right and you have a mid to low 14-second car (good for the 87-92 era). Make one or two mistakes on the option block and that car could drop to a mid 15-second car. A lot of people checked the motor box and forgot to check the appropriate gears or suspension to go with it. It's not as easy as the fifthgen where you can say, "Give me the SS," and you have about all the speed you can get.

brandotron · 05-24-2011, 01:51 PM

Good low end, but it runs out of steam at higher RPMS. Former Formula 350 owner here.

GRASSHOPPER · 05-24-2011, 06:51 PM

ok, so i know i have the LB9 motor is there anyway to find out what cam it has without opening the motor?

GRASSHOPPER · 05-24-2011, 08:24 PM

thanks, i am really looking forward to my second and third ride in it, as the first ride will a little timid to get a feel for it before i start driving it like it was meant to be driven

Wilburbeest · 05-25-2011, 02:30 AM

Probably won't show many fox or better mustangs the tail lights unless its an 8th mile maybe, but they have enough grunt to be fun to drive.

GRASSHOPPER · 05-25-2011, 11:49 AM

I WILL HAVE FUN WITH IT FOR SURE, I REALLY WANTED IT FOR ITS RAIL LIKE HANDELING ANYWAY
THANKS

Nexus6 · 05-25-2011, 11:47 PM

It also depended on what year it was,They changed cam specs from year to year.

Mr Twisty · 05-28-2011, 10:23 PM

The old TPI polished up in my opinion is the best looking intake ever... and most of the technology is still in the new LS* motors, just redesigned with newer technology.

drknow90rs · 06-02-2011, 01:06 AM

The TPI setups can be a little tempermental, but all in all, still a desirable setup.

Silver2SSRS6spd · 06-02-2011, 01:12 AM

I had an '85 and a '89 with the TPI motors, the '89 had the 350 and those were the best cars back then. I miss my IROC-Zs, they handled well and were fast compared to the low horsepower ratings compared to what we get today. My '85 Vette also had the 5.7 TPI motor and it was also a solid runner back in the day.

KMK454 · 06-06-2011, 05:29 PM

I love the LB9 T5 combo with the 3.42 posi rear. It's a blast to drive and feels way quicker than 230hp / 300lb ft tq would suggest.

86yellowirocz · 08-05-2011, 07:30 AM

Now I'm not sure on the 87 iroc but on the 86 iroc if you redline is at 5000 rpm you have the factory small cam and if the redline is at 5500 you got the factory little bit bigger cam.

AZCamaroFan · 08-05-2011, 08:27 AM

i had two 350 TPI's, and i loved the feel of them. I did have to replace 4 injectors at fairly low miles on one.

05-24-2011, 09:30 AM	#1
GRASSHOPPER Drives: 1987 z28 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: callander, ontario, can Posts: 49 View My Garage	Tuned port injection good or bad i have 87 iroc with the tpi 305 and auto with 3.23 rear gears. i was wondering why they droped the tpi set up for tbi alsio, i have not even had my car out for a spin yet since i got it and everyone says these 305 are dogs but then someone says they are good and yes i would rather have a 350 and 3.73 gears but i don't and i won't be changing anything unless they they become unrepairable, as my car is all original except the stereo. is my car going to be able to put its tail lights in front of mustang?

05-24-2011, 12:39 PM	#2
KMK454 Drives: 91 B4C Camaro Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal Posts: 272	The TPI setup stayed around, it wasn't dropped. The 305 TBI was available but the top dog motors were the LB9 305 TPI and the L98 350 TPI. Judged within the context of its time, the TPI was a good setup. Nowadays the LTx and LSx series of motors have surpassed and then some the capabilities of the TPI. That being said, a TPI motor has a unique look and feel. As far as performance... well, thirdgens are all over the place. Option one right and you have a mid to low 14-second car (good for the 87-92 era). Make one or two mistakes on the option block and that car could drop to a mid 15-second car. A lot of people checked the motor box and forgot to check the appropriate gears or suspension to go with it. It's not as easy as the fifthgen where you can say, "Give me the SS," and you have about all the speed you can get. __________________ KMK454 1991 Camaro - B4C - LB9 - T5 Instagram: @kurtkphoto

05-24-2011, 01:51 PM	#3
brandotron I am the internets. Drives: dangerously Join Date: May 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 12,571 View My Garage	Good low end, but it runs out of steam at higher RPMS. Former Formula 350 owner here. __________________

05-25-2011, 02:30 AM	#6
Wilburbeest Think With Your Dipstick! Drives: 1997 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 185	Probably won't show many fox or better mustangs the tail lights unless its an 8th mile maybe, but they have enough grunt to be fun to drive. __________________ - Willy 1997 Camaro Z28 (LT1/T56): K&N CAI \| Kooks 1 3/4" LTs \| 3" Custom Duals \| UMI LCAs w/ relocation brackets \| UMI adj. panhard bar \| UMI adj. torque arm \| Koni SA shocks \| Strano Springs \| Ram Powergrip clutch \| Pro 5.0 shifter \| skip shift eliminator kit \| WS6 Store rotors \| Hawk HPS pads

05-25-2011, 11:47 PM	#8
Nexus6 More human than human Drives: 2010 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2008 Location: The mouth of hell Posts: 1,887 View My Garage	It also depended on what year it was,They changed cam specs from year to year. __________________ 1100 - 10/22/2008 3000 - 05/27/2009 3300 - 06/06/2009 3800 - 06/29/2009 4B00 - 06/29/2009 Warehouse 13 survivor Blood stains,speed kills,fast cars,cheap thrills,rich women,fine wine,i lost my sense i lost control i lost my mind.

05-24-2011, 06:51 PM	#4
GRASSHOPPER Drives: 1987 z28 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: callander, ontario, can Posts: 49 View My Garage	ok, so i know i have the LB9 motor is there anyway to find out what cam it has without opening the motor?

05-24-2011, 08:24 PM	#5
GRASSHOPPER Drives: 1987 z28 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: callander, ontario, can Posts: 49 View My Garage	thanks, i am really looking forward to my second and third ride in it, as the first ride will a little timid to get a feel for it before i start driving it like it was meant to be driven

05-25-2011, 11:49 AM	#7
GRASSHOPPER Drives: 1987 z28 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: callander, ontario, can Posts: 49 View My Garage	I WILL HAVE FUN WITH IT FOR SURE, I REALLY WANTED IT FOR ITS RAIL LIKE HANDELING ANYWAY THANKS

05-28-2011, 10:23 PM	#9
Mr Twisty Drives: the 2nd amendment home Join Date: May 2008 Location: OK Posts: 14,707	The old TPI polished up in my opinion is the best looking intake ever... and most of the technology is still in the new LS* motors, just redesigned with newer technology. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

06-02-2011, 01:06 AM	#10
drknow90rs Drives: '90 RS 427ci LS-1, '86 IROC 305 TPI Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wittmann, AZ Posts: 40	The TPI setups can be a little tempermental, but all in all, still a desirable setup.

06-02-2011, 01:12 AM	#11
Silver2SSRS6spd Prefer to be blown! Drives: 2010 Silver/Black 2SS/RS Manual Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Nor-Cal Posts: 2,677 View My Garage	I had an '85 and a '89 with the TPI motors, the '89 had the 350 and those were the best cars back then. I miss my IROC-Zs, they handled well and were fast compared to the low horsepower ratings compared to what we get today. My '85 Vette also had the 5.7 TPI motor and it was also a solid runner back in the day. __________________ MagnaCharger TVS-2300 550rwhp 540 rwt and a radical suspension under the car.

06-06-2011, 05:29 PM	#12
KMK454 Drives: 91 B4C Camaro Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal Posts: 272	I love the LB9 T5 combo with the 3.42 posi rear. It's a blast to drive and feels way quicker than 230hp / 300lb ft tq would suggest. __________________ KMK454 1991 Camaro - B4C - LB9 - T5 Instagram: @kurtkphoto

08-05-2011, 07:30 AM	#13
86yellowirocz Drives: 1986 IrocZ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 2	Now I'm not sure on the 87 iroc but on the 86 iroc if you redline is at 5000 rpm you have the factory small cam and if the redline is at 5500 you got the factory little bit bigger cam.

08-05-2011, 08:27 AM	#14
AZCamaroFan Camaro6 2016-2018 Drives: sometimes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 18,450	i had two 350 TPI's, and i loved the feel of them. I did have to replace 4 injectors at fairly low miles on one. __________________

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