TPI into a 86 4x4 Suburban.

[David Sagers]

I'm in the process of doing a similar conversion, except mine is a '92.

There is a lot of work to do, but many resources for the parts & 
information.

How far along are you?  Have you decided to go with a MAF or a MAP system or 
will you use what you can find?

You might start with http://www.fuelinjection.com/   These guys specialize 
in complete conversions or just parts depending on what you want.  The 
complete kit from Fuel Injection Specialties is a whopping $2400!!  You can 
save yourself some major dollars by
just shopping around, in fact by watching the ads on:

http://128.196.140.199/classifieds/search2.cfm?type=sale&which=part

you can usually find complete TPI systems.  Before you buy many parts do 
some research and decide what you want or you could end up like me and have 
lots of extra parts around that you won’t be using.  For instance, with a 
350 you probably don’t want to buy the huge 58mm or 1000 cfm throttle body, 
stay with the smaller version and driveability will be a lot better.  Also 
consider that many of the  “speed parts or the week” are made for high 
revving IROCs and Z28s, a 4x4 is a different story.

Read all the info at the Fuel Injection Specialties web site.  They can even 
help you figure out which cable you’ll need for the tranny, throttle and 
cruise control.  I’ve called them a couple of times and they are good to 
talk to on the phone.

Here are a few items I learned along the way.  The center head to manifold 
bolt angle changed in about ‘87.  If you use older heads with a TPI intake, 
the bolt holes in the intake will need to be elongated, since you engine is 
already built just plan on this modification.

The injectors give a better spray pattern if run at fuel pressures somewhat 
above the factory settings, try 50 to 55 vs.  the factory setting of 45.  
For a 350 start out with the 22 lbs injectors and bump the fuel pressure.

On my ‘92 I have to change the mounting brackets for the A/C for the TPI, 
Fuel Injection Specialties can tell you what you need for your application.

Filter your fuel with a good high pressure filter made for the higher 
pressures in an TPI.  DO NOT use a filter made for a carbureted system or a 
TBI system!!  They can burst and create a deadly fire.

Don’t fight with the factory wiring harness, buy one from Painless Wiring, 
see their web page at:  http://www.painlesswiring.com/    This harness 
connects everything from the VSS, to the tranny lockup, to the fuel pump 
relays, etc...   Again, read everything on the web site, but when it comes 
time to buy the harness, buy it from Summit, you’ll save a couple of hundred 
dollars.  Painless even recommends that you buy from one of their dealers 
instead of buying from them.  Once you own the Painless harness they have 
very good tech support.
But before you buy make sure you know which type of system you are going to 
use.

I don’t mind continuing this conversation on line, in fact maybe it’ll 
revive this board.  However, if you want to you can contact me off line.


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