[fyrebird68]

Found this at the boneyard. It looks to be all there, but somebody worked on it with a hammer.

I know the car's total, but can the motor be resurrected? Is it worth it?

Bob Trimpe

[72LemansFreak]

Hard to tell from the picture. I don't see a throttle body. If it's been worked over with a hammer, I wouldn't keep any of the parts above the intake. Get an aftermarket plenum and runners. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you spend almost as much as a complete aftermarket unit to get this one going, but the intake, runners, injectors, harness, etc are worth taking if they are there.

[WW3]

You can buy an above average condition TPI(5.0-5.7) car for less than it would cost to fix this one up to being the level of a P.O.S. car.

[fyrebird68]

I'm looking for a TPI motor to put in my GTO. I would not EVEN attempt to resuscitate this car!

Bob

[WW3]

I see...what kind of H.P. are you looking to get from a TPI powered GTO?

Unless you could buy that whole car for about $200 then it'd be allright for scavenging the harness and ECM, but I see no value with what's left of this TPI.

[fyrebird68]

Not so much big HP, but more modern type performance and maintenance. I got used to working on my son's 91 TA, and the goat has a rod knocking, so I thought "why not".

Bob

[WW3]

I like this idea..BUT... TPI's are H.P. limited because of runner size among other problems. So if your looking to propell 4000lbs with one it may be disappointing in the end. At best a highly modified 383 block with worked over TPI unit on top might yield just 350-400 horse. And after that you'll find your wallet lightened by a few thousand dollars.Not to mention the extensive prom burning that'll need to be done.

Maybe if H.P. isn't a concern then yes, a TPI engine is probably the least expensive of the late model F.I. engines. You could probably find a 350 TPI from a mid mileage car,complete with tranny,ECM for $800-$1500.Out of the box those produce about 255 H.P., which is nothing to sneeze at but they were in 3400lb cars.

If H.P. is a concern then maybe a better suggestion would be an LT1 from 93-96 or even a newer LS series small block.


You know what would be the cat's a$$... a 2005 or newer 6.0 LS2 out of a wrecked late model GTO! I can see those "GTO" plastic shrouds and everything in your GTO!
.


That might be pricey too though. I do however like this whole idea from a technology and relaibilty standpoint.


...

["Puddles the Pontiac"]

i have got a TPI Formula circa '87. they are OK at best. they are fun, but nothing that really gets the heart racing. the engines are nothing more then a standard small block chevy. with an after market intake and a good set of vortec's they wake up alot, but it just doesn't make sense to save a TPI motor and yank the TPI. save the mods for a car already with TPI, if you find just a motor, put it in an s-10. now those make for fun rides.

[fyrebird68]

Thanks for the insight. I fully agree with ww3 about the LS6. Now I just need to wait until somebody wrecks one!



Regards,
Bob Trimpe

[WW3]

Set up an ebay search notification for 2005,2006 LS2 engine. One will show up eventually. I've loosley searched before and I came up with one on auction about 2 months ago or so. It was a complete LS2 in the K member with transmission and all wiring and ECM. I *think* it was about at $2500 but it was a plug and play 400 horse low mile deal from a totalled '05.

["Puddles the Pontiac"]

i believe they also come new, as a crate motor. through GMPP

[fyrebird68]

WOW. I can swing $2500.

How do you set up an ebay serach notification?

[WW3]

Well? first I would find the catagory that an LS2 would be listed in ( like this http://motors.listings.ebay.com/Car-...istingItemList ) and then do a manual search for " LS2 ". Then somewhere on that page e-bay asks you if you want to "add to favorites search". Click on it and if you're logged in already it'll put it your "favorite searches folder" in the My E-bay portion of your user I.D.

Then when one comes up you'll get an e-mail(if you've set your preferences that way) from e-bay directing you to that auction.


EDIT: I just did that search and a couple came up....but... a helluva lot more than $2500!!

Be afraid, be very afraid...but they have no bids so that doesn't mean they sell for that money, they're just listed for that money.

......

[WarbirdTA]

Looks like one set of runners is pretty much dented beyond repair.
I have three sets sitting in my garage.
Just no wireing harness for any of them.

George