I have a ram jet long block without the efi setup. I am reassembling the whole thig with new gaskets, bearings.... so now I am having the efi debate on what manifold to use. what I have now is a couple of complete TPI setups, 58mm holley throttle body, holley tpi adjustable regulator, all of the block offs, lokar brackets..... I plan to use a stock MAF tpi computer and harness that I already have, the harness has been stripped of the b.s. that I don't need, the computer has a piggy back chip that deleted out everything that I don't need and set my injector size at 24#. the ram jet motor has vortec heads so the stock tpi lower intake will not bolt up. I am between buying a lower vortec base which works with everything that I already have or buying a holley stealth ram intake for vortec heads which also requires a 80 dollar knock off fuel rail kit and a regulator that I can likely get for under 100. this is going into a 86 442 (don't need to hear the purest comments please) and it will NOT be a track car, its far to valuable in my opinion for that. I want off the line power, throttle response, fuel efficiency and overall drivability. the TPI appears to do all of that and will run out of power close to 5000rpm but my thoughts are when will I ever be over 4500?? sure I want it to take off from a red light but like I said I am not racing... the stealth ram has much better top end with some sacrifice to the lower end, it requires me to purchase more parts but it does look more after market. I have read a TON on both setups and there are pros and cons to each of them and I keep leaning towards the TPI lower base over the ram jet because it fits my over all objective but I also don't want to be sitting here later on wanting to go stealth ram. I like the looks of both of them, honestly I think I like the TPI more but like I said I also like the after market look of the ram jet. keeping in mind the ram jet long block all the way to the cam will remain as is, this is a budget build I can get either intake for less than 320 shipped, the HSR does need a few more pieces though. does anyone have some input for me? I am really at the 50/50 between these. the stock ram jet EFI is also an option but I have yet to find a reasonable price on one
need input on efi intake for ram jet motor-tpi or stealth ra
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Re: need input on efi intake for ram jet motor-tpi or stealt
We are potentially able to do each other a favor. I bought a GM Service Parts L98 short block a few years ago, and used it to (start) building up a Ram Jet 350. I had debated about this or the EZ EFI. but I chose to buy the RJ350 intake, wire harness and ECM for a little under $2000. I found the right pistons for the Ram Jet setup, and put the un-run, standard bore, OEM L98 pistons and rings in a box. I have a pair of rebuilt, zero-mile, 1990 heads, casting number 14101083 with a three-angle valve job. These are the correct 350 heads for your TPI system. While you don't seem to need them, I have two sets of intake runners, an intake casting, injector distribution block with regulator and the correct computer (1227165). Some cleaning and gaskets are needed to put this back together, and I did nothing with the injectors, so new ones would probably be a good idea.
By any chance are the Vortec heads new? I have moved on from the TPI EFI plan and I have another project that needs another pair of Vortec heads. I'd also be interested in the Ram Jet pistons if they happen to be new.
Shipping 100 lbs of iron is not cheap, but I have someone who goes up from New Mexico to western Nebraska occasionally who wouldn't mind some ballast.
We are potentially able to do each other a favor. I bought a GM Service Parts L98 short block a few years ago, and used it to (start) building up a Ram Jet 350. I had debated about this or the EZ EFI. but I chose to buy the RJ350 intake, wire harness and ECM for a little under $2000. I found the right pistons for the Ram Jet setup, and put the un-run, standard bore, OEM L98 pistons and rings in a box. I have a pair of rebuilt, zero-mile, 1990 heads, casting number 14101083 with a three-angle valve job. These are the correct 350 heads for your TPI system. While you don't seem to need them, I have two sets of intake runners, an intake casting, injector distribution block with regulator and the correct computer (1227165). Some cleaning and gaskets are needed to put this back together, and I did nothing with the injectors, so new ones would probably be a good idea.
By any chance are the Vortec heads new? I have moved on from the TPI EFI plan and I have another project that needs another pair of Vortec heads. I'd also be interested in the Ram Jet pistons if they happen to be new.
Shipping 100 lbs of iron is not cheap, but I have someone who goes up from New Mexico to western Nebraska occasionally who wouldn't mind some ballast.
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Re: need input on efi intake for ram jet motor-tpi or stealt
What's up regalman? I am running a 400 sbc with a Holley Stealth Ram intake and love it. I am using a 7730 ecm and harness. I originally had a 350 with the tpi setup then moved up to the stealth ram. Going from the tpi to stealth ram low rpm difference could hardly be felt. Now I did also go from the 52mm to 58mmthrottle body when I swapped intakes. Throttle response definitely felt better to me. The biggest thing I like about the stealth ram is the ease of changing components. The tpi took forever to change out injectors, while the stealth only has 4 bolts and the injectors pop out. Plus when I added my turbo later on, the stealth ram complimented it instead of restricting. I don't regret going stealth.
What's up regalman? I am running a 400 sbc with a Holley Stealth Ram intake and love it. I am using a 7730 ecm and harness. I originally had a 350 with the tpi setup then moved up to the stealth ram. Going from the tpi to stealth ram low rpm difference could hardly be felt. Now I did also go from the 52mm to 58mmthrottle body when I swapped intakes. Throttle response definitely felt better to me. The biggest thing I like about the stealth ram is the ease of changing components. The tpi took forever to change out injectors, while the stealth only has 4 bolts and the injectors pop out. Plus when I added my turbo later on, the stealth ram complimented it instead of restricting. I don't regret going stealth.
Re: need input on efi intake for ram jet motor-tpi or stealt
I'm really interested to see where this goes - I've been doing a lot of research on this myself trying to decide where to go & what to do, one of the big issues for me as well is the powerband..... I personally would prefer to have more torque because that's what is going to move your car. I currently have a complete TPI setup (not installed) but I talked to a family member who had a friend with a S10 with a TPI and he said if you can port/polish or smooth out the plenums you'll get a little more top end...but I don't know how much, but having more airflow can't hurt. (he also said if something goes wrong make sure you know someone who knows TPIs). My biggest issue with the TPI/vortec set up is cost....almost $1k just for upgraded (Siamesed) plenums and a vortec manifold is insane, you could do a lot more with a $400 intake that bolts on. I'm also looking at a Edelbrock Pro-Flo XT, you can use a LS style throttle body instead of a 52 or 58 mm throttle body, don't know how much easier installation would be but it's something to consider. I'd search around Thirdgen.org, they can probably help out more over there...
I'm really interested to see where this goes - I've been doing a lot of research on this myself trying to decide where to go & what to do, one of the big issues for me as well is the powerband..... I personally would prefer to have more torque because that's what is going to move your car. I currently have a complete TPI setup (not installed) but I talked to a family member who had a friend with a S10 with a TPI and he said if you can port/polish or smooth out the plenums you'll get a little more top end...but I don't know how much, but having more airflow can't hurt. (he also said if something goes wrong make sure you know someone who knows TPIs). My biggest issue with the TPI/vortec set up is cost....almost $1k just for upgraded (Siamesed) plenums and a vortec manifold is insane, you could do a lot more with a $400 intake that bolts on. I'm also looking at a Edelbrock Pro-Flo XT, you can use a LS style throttle body instead of a 52 or 58 mm throttle body, don't know how much easier installation would be but it's something to consider. I'd search around Thirdgen.org, they can probably help out more over there...
Re: need input on efi intake for ram jet motor-tpi or stealt
Crucial118 I appreciate the info. I pulled all of my TPI stuff out last night and started going through it all. I have almost enough parts to do 2 complete setups and then I started thinking about all of the work that I needed to do to even get the TPI cleaned up to the point that I will be happy with it, thought about all of the small stuff like bolts, the fact that I have to block off the EGR and 9th injector which I already have billet block offs and the fact that I would be spending over 300 bucks on the vortec base just to use the rest of a used intake with it. I also watched a set of accel runners sell for over 350 plus shipping last night on ebay. long story short I decided that the stealth ram which is 100% new with a set of the knock off fuel rails that are 80 bucks so I will have 390 shipped total into everything minus a regulator was a better option. I will have a 100% new intake that will look much more performance than the TPI in my opinion. That also means that I can throw the TPI manifold onto the 355 that I am taking out of my 442 and putting back into my regal, that motor is a bit lower on power and I really care more about drivability with it than anything. I still plan to use the TPI harness and computer for MAF for now, that may get yanked for the 355 and TPI later on and I am looking into the possibility of running a LS computer with coil per cylinder ignition and since I am using a vortec based motor I am already set up for a reluctor wheel for the crank sensor.
Crucial118 I appreciate the info. I pulled all of my TPI stuff out last night and started going through it all. I have almost enough parts to do 2 complete setups and then I started thinking about all of the work that I needed to do to even get the TPI cleaned up to the point that I will be happy with it, thought about all of the small stuff like bolts, the fact that I have to block off the EGR and 9th injector which I already have billet block offs and the fact that I would be spending over 300 bucks on the vortec base just to use the rest of a used intake with it. I also watched a set of accel runners sell for over 350 plus shipping last night on ebay. long story short I decided that the stealth ram which is 100% new with a set of the knock off fuel rails that are 80 bucks so I will have 390 shipped total into everything minus a regulator was a better option. I will have a 100% new intake that will look much more performance than the TPI in my opinion. That also means that I can throw the TPI manifold onto the 355 that I am taking out of my 442 and putting back into my regal, that motor is a bit lower on power and I really care more about drivability with it than anything. I still plan to use the TPI harness and computer for MAF for now, that may get yanked for the 355 and TPI later on and I am looking into the possibility of running a LS computer with coil per cylinder ignition and since I am using a vortec based motor I am already set up for a reluctor wheel for the crank sensor.
Re: need input on efi intake for ram jet motor-tpi or stealt
Really, 8 bolts and the upper plenum is ready to come off. 😀 Much better design. Also, spend the $$ and get a good regulator too. The one that came with the Holley fuel rail I got was garbage. Fuel pressure was all over the place. I got a Kirban one for a Grand National, off the Kirban website. It bolts right up and works flawlessly. Also, not sure if you know about www.chevythunder.com, but it was my swap bible.lol
Really, 8 bolts and the upper plenum is ready to come off. 😀 Much better design. Also, spend the $$ and get a good regulator too. The one that came with the Holley fuel rail I got was garbage. Fuel pressure was all over the place. I got a Kirban one for a Grand National, off the Kirban website. It bolts right up and works flawlessly. Also, not sure if you know about www.chevythunder.com, but it was my swap bible.lol
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