Allright im 16 years old and learning about 100 new things about cars every day. Ive been on this board for a while now and there are some things that i need explained that i cant figure out that i have been too embarrased to ask. If anyone else has any questions like this now is the time and place to do it. so here we go....

#1 what does the C in SBC/BBC stand for?

#2 what is the difference between the way they make the 2 bolt blocks and 4 bolt blocks

#3 this is the worst of them all but this has been like a plague to me. Okay when you say you "TPI unit" what exactly falls into this. In your car you have TB, plenum, intake runners, intake manifold, heads, and then down into your block/internals so what falls into the category of tpi.

im sure i have a bunch more but nothing comes to mind right now...

 

1. "C" Stands for Chevy, SBC - Small Block Chevy

2. The main caps, on the bottom of the block, that basically hold the crank in can either have one or two bolts on either side equaling 2 or 4 bolt main caps. Look for a picture on Jegs or something.

3. I'm sure I'm forgetting something but: TPI includes Runners, intake manifold, plenum, throttle body, fuel rails, maybe the sensors? Someone else should chime in soon...

-Rippin

 

okay well that makes sense but then what does something like the mini-ram replace? They call it an intake but it doesnt look anything like im used to seeing for instance an edelbrock intake. The parts dont even look vaguely similar.

 

From the looks of it, Doug, it's the intake manifold, fuel rails, runners, and plenum.

-Rippin

 

From the bottom up: block, heads, intake....with TPI the intake consist of a base manifold, runners, and a plenum which all bolt together. A Miniram (or any given intake setup) will replace all these parts. It looks different from an Edelbrock intake because the intakes you're used to seeing are made for carbs....a fuel injection intake doesnt need the carb flange and therefore can be made in all kinds of funky shapes. If you look closely at the BOTTOM of it you'll see that they both bolt onto the heads the same way.

 

The tpi system also includes sensors, such as the MAF (mass air flow). The Mimiram, as stated above, replaces the plenum, runners, and base (manifold). The Holley StealthRam does the same thing. Edelbrock, TPIS (maker of Miniram), Scoggin Dickey, and others make aftermarket manifolds and runners which will use your stock plenum. These manifolds flow better and produce more power. Hope this clears things up a bit.

--Dave