I am going to put a 4.3 Chevy in my project. I was wondering what the advantages and disadvantages were of both. what Ive heard so far is the TPI has more horsepower than the TBI, but the TPI wont run if something goes wrong with the electrical whereas the TBI will. I have an engine of each type lined up so Id appreciate any help you can give me. :D I wanna get this thing going as soon as I can. Thanx in advance

I looked into this and the concensess was that
tpi gives more low end torque.

some peopple argued the other way

majority says tbi is better for wheeling

but TPI looks cool.

if cost of tbi was same as tpi I wold go tpi

A TPI 4.3???????????

well they would be about the same cost
the TPI is local
the TBI would have to be shipped and probly rebuilt
they both would end up being around 800
im gonna try and get more info asap. thanx guys keep it coming :D

Well, I went with the TBI. The 5.7 version that is. Reasons were: Cost. About 500 less off the top. TBI's are tough and have a knack for passing smog. You are correct, the TPI has more horses and the tourqe thing is in the air. Both are outstanding, nuf sed. I like the TBI due to it's simplicity. Aint nuth'n you cant fix with a blunt rock and some wire. This is especially nice on the trial. Parts and cheap and plentiful. That's about it.

The TPI is a sweet motor. Since the prices are the same, hell I'd go with it man. Why not. Just make sure all your electrical is tight and the computer is protected. You should have little to no problems. ;)

FORD SEFI? hehehe

the tbi is alot easier to swap in than the tpi. i swapped a 5.7 tbi into my jeep. i was amazed how simpole it was. personally id stick with the tbi

I'd go TPI in a heartbeat. A TBI won't run any better than the "TPI" on a 4.3 when the wiring is fudged than a TBI. Also, the "TPI" on a 4.3 comes with an underhood style ECM, so it's well sealed from moisture and such. You can still mount it inside the cab of course. Power, I'd go "TPI" (dammit it's CPI!) of TBI any day of the week.

Later TBI 4.3's also came with an underhood ECM, also.

It also depends on the room you have under your hood, but if memory serves, the CPI requires less hood clearance...


Squash

I am going TPI. Anyone on here burn chips?

I believe the port type setup used on Blazers was called something different but basically it is a MPI setup. I love tpi... plan to go to it in my truck next spring, but I wouldn't touch a MPI setup off a 4.3. Talk about junk. We see a ton of them in our shop... lots of fuel related problems... Fuel pumps, crab injectors, fp regulators are all very common problems... I woul save the hassles and go w/ a nice low maintance TBI setup. If you want power cram a SBC under the hood. Good luck.

Originally posted by chrisd
I am going TPI. Anyone on here burn chips?

Try out http://www.diy-efi.org/diy_efi/ somebody on there should be able to help ya.