What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Delete

Which would you choose?

  • HT383 TPI injection

    Votes: 12 26.1%

  • 454 carb or TBI

    Votes: 11 23.9%

  • 6.2/6.5 turbo

    Votes: 12 26.1%

  • 4BT

    Votes: 11 23.9%
  • Total voters
    46
While I don't agree entirely (TPI was used in cars that are considered heavy by most standards, TBI was used in similar weight cars, if not the exact same body as the LOWER END option, and the intake runners/entire design of TPI were/was TUNED to make small motors seem larger in relatively heavy cars...trucks would have been difficult to use MAF TPI on, requiring an entirely new wiring harness, electric fans and air intake ducting...there was no TPI for Big Blocks, so yet another reason for another wiring harness...plus they didn't have to meet anywhere near the emissions standards of a car, and certainly GM was trying to save money in R&D, why modify further a "dead" body line, etc. But I digress) where was I? Oh yeah...new injectors alone are what, $300 now, at a minimum. And depending on heads, and which intake you have, more work to get the intake to fit, and if Vortec, at least $500 additional for the new base, gaskets, etc. MAF or MAP? How will you route the intake tubing? Electric fans?

I still say, if that's what you want, go for it. It's not like the motor is only going to let you go 35MPH. It's just that TBI will get you injected with a lot less hassle.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I know it would be cheaper to go TBI, but just not what I want for a fuel injected engine. I know the 383 can do what I want with TPI as far as power and I believe it can get the mileage. If not then I will look at a diesel swap.
 
From the looks of it, TBI/TPI are neck and neck in the trucks for mileage. I think that's simple aerodynamics and weight.

If it'll do what you want, go for it. You've got most of the stuff so cost should be minimal.

Look at the Ford injectors at Summit, (used to be SVO, can't recall what they are now) those are about the cheapest you are going to find. Don't know who will burn you a chip though, not sure if Brian over at TBIchips.com will do TPI or not, just have to ask him.
 
I have been gathering parts for a while a little at a time. The longblock is almost done at the machine shop. I just got a GREAT deal on craigslist. The add was for a complete TPI intake, heads, serpentine brackets and accessories, wiring harness, ecm, extra base and fuel rail with injectors. When I went to load it up the guy just kept giving me parts, saying he was ready to get rid of all the crap in his garage. It had been his sons stuff who is currently in prison. I ended up with all the above, plus two extra maf ecms, three map ecms, two harnesses for each, a box full of sensors including several map and maf sensors. A complete extra stock intake. Then as the final box came out it was just a box full extra plenums, wiring harness pieces etc. He told me there was another complete intake in the bottom of the box. I got home and found a ported Edelbrock base, ported SLP runners, ported plenum, BBK 58 mm throttle body. All for the $600. All the cool stuff is already at the powder coaters, the extras I will use on my 60 pickup and 63 nova.
 
You gotta pick one. Mileage or Power.
Click to expand...


I went with power......:D:D:D

15022193839414rqnuSu_ph.jpg
 
Glad you got a good deal on all that TPI stuff. Looks like you are on your way.
Just for the record. I do not think TBI is better than TPI. I really like TPI. But I like TBI for trucks because of ease of install, reliability and low cost for almost the same performance.

Brian does burn chips for TPI. We Ordered one for a buddys Vette from him a while back. He has a different site for TPI. http://www.tpichips.com/default.htm E-Mail him. I am sure he can help you with your build.
 
Yeah the guy said he was tired of all the stuff taking up his garage when the son wasn't there and he wanted it gone. I expected just intake, heads, and serpetine setup. I wound up folding down the middle seats in the burb and filling the rear with boxes of parts. I still haven't gotten through all the stuff yet so who knows what will be found. I will take what I can use and put the rest on ebay soon. I think with the ported plenum, SLP runners, Edelbrock base, and BBK TB I am in much better shape for the 383.
 
I hate to say it, but if anyone thinks a 383 in a K5 will get 15MPG in town they are dreaming. Maybe, maybe if the truck is stock, with low-rolling-resistance tires, and driven like an old lady, you might barely squeak out 15 on a good day when the stars and planets are aligned, etc. But I wouldn't count on it...
 
Yes but I am looking for 15mg AVERAGE and I do lots of highway miles. I drive almost 100 miles a day, with about 20 being "city" miles.
 
You can do 15 mpg. But you will have to keep the stock intake and runners. Thay way you will keep the low end. If you increase the diameter of the runners and intake you can kiss your low end torque and MPG good bye.
There aint no ammount of tuneing that can compensate for slow low RPM air velocity.
If you feed that 383 thru the stock stuff with a little bit bigger injector. (28LB) The low end torque will be awesome. 15 mpg should be no problem.
If you want good MPG and low end power. high air velocity at low rpm is where it is at.
You take a hit at the top but your wallet is happy.
 
Last edited:
ya know what, screw it ill go ahead and leave the GM family on this one.

Cummins 4BT turbo diesel. saw a first gen bronco with one, that was making over 400hp, ( maxed at 453hp and 712ft/lbs at the WHEELS, but wasnt reliable) and the truck got like 25-28mpg. it was rediculous. lemmi see if i can find a web link......

ah HA, its true, i have no life, and can find anything on the web....

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ford/0709dp_1966_ford_bronco/index.html
 
I'll just put it out there in advance, prove me wrong. :)

I don't see 15MPG combined no matter what, unless you are diesel.

There is no way you can do that good in stop and go traffic with a 5000lb+ vehicle. Even the new trucks can only squeak out MAYBE 16MPG, and those are completely redesigned engines, along with induction systems that are using 20 year newer technology.
 
dyeager535 said:
I'll just put it out there in advance, prove me wrong. :)

I don't see 15MPG combined no matter what, unless you are diesel.

There is no way you can do that good in stop and go traffic with a 5000lb+ vehicle. Even the new trucks can only squeak out MAYBE 16MPG, and those are completely redesigned engines, along with induction systems that are using 20 year newer technology.
Click to expand...
What he said.

I've heard of 17mpg but that was a 00 or so 1500 4x4 with the 4.8L and a sedate driver. Most of his drive was 55mph on long country roads too.
 
"As far as turbos, there have been many-the first providing an outrageous 453 hp and 712 lb-ft of torque at the wheels and 88 psi of boost pressure. The engine, however, proved almost undriveable with this turbo, not making full boost until 3,000 rpm and defueling at 4,200 rpm, only leaving about 1,000 rpm of useful powerband. Eventually, a compromise was reached, and the engine was detuned to about 350 hp while remaining torquey, driveable, and fuel efficient." Even tuned down that engine would have a seriously short life. Im a big fan of the 4BT, we run the piss out of them in our skytraks, but we are talking less than 10LB. of boost. I dont think I would want to listen to that motor rattle all day, its rather loud.

I am not doubting that building that motor that way will yield good low end grunt and respectively good MPG but I think 15 is a bit much. Like the others said, even these newer 2wd trucks with v8's(not including the new ones that have fuel save mode) are having hard time getting 14-16 in stop and go traffic. I had an 02 4x4 tahoe, stock at best it got 14 in stop and go traffic. I think if you get aroudn 12-13 in town you will be doing good, I would love to get even close to those numbers out of mine:haha:. For 4x4 K5 those are good numbers IMO
 
OK guys I take the advance warnings, if I don't get the 15mpg avg my heart wont be broken or anything along those lines. Like I said I will just put the 383 in my 60 pickup (weekend cruiser) and start a diesel swap for the K5. I know it may seem like a lot of work for nothing, but since I am already up to my armpits in the 383tpi build I may as well go all the way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom