Customer Reviews

Chevrolet TPI & TBI engine swapping

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am sorry this book disappointed A Reader in Arkansas. Like all Mike Knell's excellent engine swapping guides (I have three of them), it recommends throughout that people start with complete working engine and transmission combinations. For hassle-free (or rather reduced-hassle) swapping, that's the best advice. But by reading the rest of the book A Reader could easily have gleaned most of the information necessary to convert a Chevy small block into a TBI or TPI motor.

This book is obviously based on many hours of experimentation and experience in determining what works best when swapping EFI V8s into carbureted cars. Knell covers everything, including cooling, air ducting, wiring, emissions compliance and modern automatic and manual transmissions. This is the only book I have seen which gives good detailed coverage of what it takes to convert reliably from mechanical to electric fuel pump. The writing is clear and detailed, peppered with Knell's personal attitude. I refer back to this book again and again.

I would give it a perfect score except that like the rest of the JTR series it is put together a bit roughly. The editing and production are ragged. This is okay with me, but I'm sure some people would want a five-star book to be a more professional product.

The best general book I have seen for converting carbureted cars to EFI is Jeff Hartman's _Fuel Injection_, but even then there aren't a lot of engine-specific details, and anyone would need other more detailed resources. Mike Knell's book is the best such reference I have seen for the Chevy small block V8. I have plans to combine the information from both books (plus another Mike Knell title) to build up a custom port-injected 327 V8 for installation into an early Datsun 240Z. Knell probably would not approve of my approach, but his books will be invaluable for the project.

Pros: Lots of information, interesting pics/comments on chevy-into-whatever vehicles. A lot of time and research has been put into the book. It's a nice read without hard to understand technical jargon. The author is personable and conveys his thoughts well. I read the book cover-to-cover and still plan on keeping the book for it's broad amount of information.
Cons: Found it lacking in specifically what the title leads one to believe....that it will offer step-by-step instructions on how to extract and reconnect a GM wiring harness into another vehicle, identifing which components to transplant, and wire identification. The author does make the disclaimer that variations in vehicles prevents details of instruction, but approximately 80% of the chapters tend to sacrifice non-subject matter details in lieu of what the title leads one to believe the book will contain.
Summary: I'm disappointed in that the book misleads by the title. If you want to get an overview and references of what books you need to buy to perform a TBI/MPI swap, then buy this book. If you are looking for a procedural book on how to unhook and reconnect a factory TBI/MPI from a "donor" chevy into a different car using the donor chevy's drivetrain, then don't buy this book.

This book has been advertised as being a guide to swapping TBI and TPI onto older engines. It contains only one 2 page chapter on the subject. The chapter can be summarized as follows - The author feels it cost less to put in a complete new engine. This book does look to be good for those planning to swap the entire engine into an older vehicle.It contains much useful info on that subject.

My name is Frank McCracken . I am adding this review thru my wifes amazon account I am disappointed with this "manual" . I am sorry I bought it as will be no help to me . Be advised that this is mostly a basic manual that is for novices that have not put much thought into the job at hand . It give NO wiring advice which is the most important aspect of the the conversions that it professes to advise about . Then they have the poor taste print the letter and belittle a fellow wrote to them with exactly the same concernes as myself.

This book is EXCELLENT but you must read it from cover to cover initially. The money you pay for the book will easily be recovered by avoiding mistakes the author advises against. The book is not flashy but is written by someone who has done these swaps. The format is simple and includes many pictures with easy to understand concepts and explanations of alot of the little things that get you into trouble and cost you big bucks unique to the TBI/TPI SWAP. The book is about SWAPPING a matched TBI/TPI, engine/tranny into a vehicle NOT ABOUT PUTTING TPI/TBI ON A CARBURATED ENGINE NOR IS IT ABOUT SOUPING UP YOUR TPI/TBI. Finally let me stress again to read the book from cover to cover. GREAT BOOK!!!

If you only have the spare cash for 1 book (and you probably do building a TPI project) GET THIS BOOK!

It covers so much, it will be easier for me to mention what it doesnt cover. The author is straight up. No fluff. No lies, and harsh truth when needed (if i would have stopped reading after the intro, I would have given up on this build lol). But the overwhelming task ahead is put very well into perspective. One aspect at a time.

The big things this book lacks as far as I can tell is:
1. If you are transplanting a TPI/sbc and are wanting to know where to put your motor mounts and tranny mounts, etc, that is not in this book.(though some are mentioned)

2.If you want a list of every single sensor native to a TPI, and function, that is not in this book (however several are covered).

3.If you want an ECM pinout and related diagrams, those are not in this book.

Thats pretty much it. Think of this book this way. A gearhead, and several of his friends decide to put TPI/SBC's in a variety of different vehicles (from Volvo's to a Jeep). They photograph, and document nearly every possible aspect (except the 3 mentioned above) and even list their problems and work arounds. Like mod'ing a camaro slave cylinder to work in your new vehicle. Or drilling the 4L60E tailshaft housing for VSS.

Whats really amazing is the amount of aftermarket resources this book points you to (no websites, 'before' the internet)! If these guys were able to do one swap in a months worth of their spare time back in 94', we are definitely ahead of the game today. So, considering that, you can expect some of the references to specific 'remedies' may be obsolete. Not a problem, since you obviously have the internet if your reading this review.

In short. If someone re-did this book today (2011 edition) it would probably almost be considered the TPI swappers Bible. Not to mention if they add the 3 missing aspects I listed above.

If anyone finds a better book after reading this one, please let me know or reply to this review so as to better inform me and everyone else. Every little bit helps. :)