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FIfacts

If you are looking to buy one of our Chevy TPI fuel injected engines you will need an aftermarket fuel injection system in order to produce the stated horsepower levels. We recommend using an aftermarket TPI system from companies such as Edelbrock or TPIS. These companies offer performance lower intakes, large tube runners, throttle bodies and injectors. Our tech support line is available to help you with everything from choosing the proper parts to helping with the install and tuning of the engine.

Recommended parts for Chevy Fuel Injected Engines

- TPIS Big Mouth lower intake, large tube runners, 58mm throttle body, adjustable fuel regulator and 30lb injectors.

- Stock GM MAF (Do not use aftermarket MAF of any kind)

- Performance cold air intake and filter unit.

- You can use your stock plenum but will need to clean the inside of it up with a Dremel tool.

- Stock GM TPI distributor will work along with a performance MSD coil

- MSD Super Conductor spark plug wires, these work great.

Use only AC Delco O2 sensors if you are going to replace them.

- Custom computer tuning from PCM For Less, tuner Alvin Anderson.  You can reach him through his website - http://www.pcmforless.com

- Aftermarket long tube headers, Hooker Super Comp 1 3/4 primary with 3" collector work great for making power.

- Aftermarket exhaust with high flow muffler, Random Tech high flow cats if needed.

- Aftermarket stall converter for auto trans applications, 3000rpm for 450HP, 3000-3500rpm for the 500HP.

- Aftermarket clutch for standard transmission applications.

- Internally balanced flex plate or flywheel to match crank balancing.

- 3.73 rear end gears work best with these engines on the street.

- Autolite AR3924 spark plugs for naturally aspirated engines, Autolite AR3924 for supercharged engines.

- Valvoline VRI racing 20/50 oil for break in (first 3000 miles).

- Wix or AC oil filters (Do not use Fram, they have a collapsing problem).

- If you are road racing or auto cross racing we recommend a Canton 6 quart road race style pan to avoid oil starving when cornering at high speeds.


383 and 396 Balancing:

All 383 and 396 engines built by Golen are of the late model 1pc rear seal design and are internally balanced in the front and rear which means that you will have to use a internally balanced flex plate or flywheel. You can purchase a internally balanced SFI approved flex plate from Golens for $120 or if you have a standard transmission you can send you flywheel to us to have it cleaned, resurfaced and internally balanced for $100.

Priming the Oil Pump:

You will want to purchase a small block Chevy oil pump priming tool or make one out of an old Chevy distributor. You will need to install the tool through the distributor hole in the intake and connect it with the oil pump driveshaft.  Once this is done use a 1/2" electric drill to run the oil pump and prime the engine. It may take a few minutes to bring the engine up to a full prime. Make sure that you have your oil pressure guage working so you know the engine is being primed.

Ignition timing:

Talk with your chip programmer for recommended initial timing specifications.

Spark Plug Reading:

You will want to keep a close eye on your spark plubs in the first few hundred miles to ensure that they are burning clean and that the FI system is tuned properly.  The plugs should be white to a light or medium brown color, you do not want the porcelain to be black in any way. If the plugs are black this would indicate that the carb is running too rich and can possibly "gas wash" the engine and ruin the rings and bearings.

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