TI Amp Rebuild

[Ron J.]

There is an old article about rebuilding a TI amp module and lists GM part numbers along with commercial ones.
(On the CD "Low Cost Repairs to 1968-1972 Transistor Ignition Amplifier Unit By Keith Kibbe)
I've been hunting for a while and can't find them.
Does anyone know of a source for these itmes?
I would hate to spend $100-350 for items that cost about $15
Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: TI Amp Rebuild

Ron------

First of all, there are no internal parts available from GM for rebuilding the TI amplifiers. I don't think that there were ever any such parts available, but there may have been a few. Basically, as far as GM was concerned, these amplifiers were SERVICED as a unit-replace. Repairs to the internals may have been performed by field technicians, but I don't think that this activity was parts-supported by GM. However, I do think that most of the internal parts were pretty standard elctronic items.

In any event, the best way to "rebuild" any year TI amplifier is to gut the box and install one of the replacement modules available now in the aftermarket. These modules are FAR more reliable than the old-technology amplifier internals. Plus, no one will ever know the difference since everything is internal to the box----externally the unit will look identical to the way they originally looked; internally, they'll be current technology. Believe me, if you're going to use TI, at all, these are the "only way to fly".

[mike valliant]

Re: TI Amp Rebuild

Ron I whole heartedly agree with the advice given by Joe Lucia.However there is
one thing to watch,if the distributor components are not right up to snuff the
updated module may not work correctly. What I mean by this is that the engine may not fire until the ignition key is released. I had this problem with my car
and the correction was to go with a NOS module supplied by Dave Fiedler at TI
SPECIALTY,a super guy. You will find similar information elsewhere on this site.
It sure helped me.

Mike Valliant

[Ron J.]

Re: TI Amp Rebuild

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I decided to give Dave Fiedler a call to get the correct parts.
I'll probably have him re work the whole system later this summer.

[Dick W.]

Re: TI Amp Rebuild

Late answer, but all the parts called out in Kibbe's article are available from Radio Shack. Have rebuilt many, but like Joe said, install a drop in module. The transistors used in the boxes are not very reliable. Replacement supposedly is almost bullet proof

[Ron J.]

Re: TI Amp Rebuild

I'm going to take both routes...
I found a solid state module at Paragon to repair my current amp.
My housing is beyond repair (the mounting holes are broken)
In the long run I will get TI specialties to redo the whole system.