TPI to Vortec conversion

[Shannen Durphey]

> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 18:06:23 -0700
> From: "Bob Groger" <monitorguy at mail.eagleserver.com>
> Subject: TPI to Vortec conversion
> 
> Does anyone have any insight into putting a 87-up TPI manifold on the L31
> Vortec heads? Seems like the best deal around at $400\pair complete. I have
> heard the ports are raised .100, and the bolt holes are now vertical. Can it
> be done with minimal work?
> 
> Bob Groger
> TPI 350\Mercedes SEL Project


It's probably not a good match.  The raised ports of the heads make it
difficult to find manifolds which seal along the top.  Then the bolt
holes for the intake are at a different location, and drilling and
tapping the heads puts the manifold end bolts in some very thin
material.  I have a set of these heads on a 67 Chevelle, and the
options that I think are viable are LT1 or LT4 intake, with
modifications for coolant to pass through the front of the intake, or
Edelbrock or Holley intake.  Holley sells an intake manifold with port
injectors installed.  Here's the picture. 
http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/AV/FMS/FMSFI/99-150.html

It would be nice to match these manifolds to a long runner intake. 
The tpi cars have gobs of torque compared to the LT1 versions.  But
then again, when ya use rpm to gain hp, that's the trade you make.

I looked up that Holley system, here's the price I found:
http://store.summitracing.com/express.asp?ssid=7BV6M46XYKRL6BINJKEBQWOONJ&vendor=hly&sku=99-150

Shannen