89 Camaro RS with 350 TBI

[Desmodaeus]

Hey guys. This is my first post here. I recently got my hands on an RS which had its 305 replaced with a 350 tbi. I am looking for some tips to enhance my performance. The car is definitely fast as it is, but I still have trouble against some of the newer trans ams and mustangs. So far I have replaced the old intake system with an edelbrock air induction, put in a 160 degree thermostat, and this week I plan to pull out the AC and grab a pulley with a shorter serpentine belt. In the near future I would also like to grab a new exhaust as well, but for now I am waiting to hear some opinions first. Oh, and as a side note, whenever I jump on the gas, I get a loud "bump" from somewhere near the center front of the vehicle. Could this be the transmission? Thanks guys.

[Stryker SS]

Welcome to the forum. I've never heard of a 350 TBI. I always thought that the 350 was a TPI. But anyway, that bumping noice could be your rear axle. You might wanna check your differential fluid.

[ct91rs]

Originally Posted by Stryker SS

Welcome to the forum. I've never heard of a 350 TBI. I always thought that the 350 was a TPI. But anyway, that bumping noice could be your rear axle. You might wanna check your differential fluid.

your transmission mount is broke

[tcfco2005]

Originally Posted by ct91rs

your transmission mount is broke

most likely hes right...get a poly mount though instead of the stock one. it will last alot longer...I actually wouldnt wory about getting rid of your ac or smog its not going to give you much performance...id rather have ac then +4 hp. You need to get your self an exaust and headers...then id go with a rearend most 91's had an open differential with low gears so i would go with a posi and something with 3.42 gears or higher.On my tbi even though its a 305 i found my biggest gain from the rearend and the headers...also get yourself some good wires and spark plugs...i recomend ngk tr55's they work great for me.Most ppl say dont waste money on a tbi spacer but i found gains with mine, like quicker throttle response. but the injector spacer doesnt do much. You can also buy an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and when you want to run your normal psi then leave it alone but to boost your psi up all you got to do it turn the knob.

[Desmodaeus]

Thanks a lot for the tips tcf. I'll look into that as soon as I get some extra cash.

[wrightz28]

I'd get that 160 stat out of there, that's a little too cool and may not be allowing the ECM to go into closed loop thus hurting fuel trim and ignition, hence lowered performance. 180 range is a good median

$20 bet on the blown tranny mount.

And best bang for the buck to get the most power out of the engine, although it's a bit of work, ditch the TBI and rollover to TPI (dime a dozen used).

Oh, and unless the motor came from a truck/van, caprice maybe, never heard of a 350 TBI in a Camaro, they should all be like L98 350 TPI, LB9 305 TPI, and the 305 TBI eluedes me at this point. And if the motor is frankensteined out of a different vehicle there may be some control issues with the ECM?

[tcfco2005]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

I'd get that 160 stat out of there, that's a little too cool and may not be allowing the ECM to go into closed loop thus hurting fuel trim and ignition, hence lowered performance. 180 range is a good median

$20 bet on the blown tranny mount.

And best bang for the buck to get the most power out of the engine, although it's a bit of work, ditch the TBI and rollover to TPI (dime a dozen used).

Oh, and unless the motor came from a truck/van, caprice maybe, never heard of a 350 TBI in a Camaro, they should all be like L98 350 TPI, LB9 305 TPI, and the 305 TBI eluedes me at this point. And if the motor is frankensteined out of a different vehicle there may be some control issues with the ECM?

what you said or the guy before him just put a 350 in there and just threw the 305's tbi on it....and ya id go with what wright said and transfer it over to tpi....that will really help expecially with your torque

[Nate355RS]

i hate to refer you to another forum, but there are some guys over on thirdgen.org that are making some pretty good numbers with a 350 and tbi, you might wanna check their threads for more info on what it's capable of before spending all the money converting to tpi.

[89IROC&RS]

it depends on what you want the car for, generally speaking the TPI was the best truck motor chevy ever made, it produces gobs of low end torque but runs out of hp at around 4500rpms. The TBI setup is alot more like a carbed setup and with the right components will produce a much higher powerband.

If you are looking to make power with the TBI, i reccomend upgrading to an edelbrock performer TBI manifold, a holley TBI throttle body (or on the cheap get a truck unit off of a junkyard truck equipped with a 350) and go from there.

[dustinlmiller13]

I had the same problem with my 1980 camaro's trans coming up and hitting the floorboard. My problem was that I had rough-housed it so much the two trans-mount bolts had worked their way out of the aluminum trans. So check it out before spending some money.

[tcfco2005]

dude this thread is like 6 months old

[dustinlmiller13]

then what are you doing in it?

[wrightz28]

[dustinlmiller13]

Why would you want to do something like that? I forgot to look at the date of the last post.