89pontiac400

iTrader: (1)

Anyone have the TPIS mini ram with the zz409 cam and a chip from them? I'm building a 400 small block and was thinking about useing this set up. I was thinking maybe the programing and cam should be right since they've done some testing. I would like to know what others think of it. after reading this message board I've been thinking about burning my own chip. and picking my own cam. and would a solid roller cam be worth it for a street car that does'nt see alot of high rpms?

paulbuiltbird

I have a mini ram and the ZZ409 cam. I am pleased with the car's performance. I also have 1.6 promagnum rockers. The car has a very lopy idle but in a good way. It is very streetable. The idle is chopy but for the most part maintains 800 rpm. I have plenty of vacuum and it never dies out. As far as when your on the gas, I usually shift at 6500 rpm, but it feelings like it wants to keep going way past that. I have seen a lot of people that run the mini ram and the zz-x cam, so sometimes I wonder if that cam is as streetable because it's supposed to make more hp. You can always call TPIS for their opinion, they've always been helpful to me in the past.

89pontiac400

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for your input I've been thinking about this for awhile. Thier tek guy recommended the zz409 for me so I would use that one. If I don't try and do my own programing.

92RSZ

iTrader: (6)

I have the miniram and zz-409 cam on a stock l98 shortblock with stock heads. I am very happy with this setup. If I were you though, I would put the zz-x in a 400. The zz-409 is very streetable in a 350, but in my opinion would be like a peanut cam in 400 and choke your motor's potential. With a zz-409 and miniram in a 400 I think your peak power would come well under 6000 rpm which is not where the miniram really shines.

89pontiac400

iTrader: (1)

Yea I was kinda thinking that too. I'm gona have a real nice small block with AFR heads, if they ever come in, and want to take advantage of it. I also will drive it on the street alot some maybe peak power at a lower RPM might not be all that bad. I dont know but wana figure it out.

Randy92Z

iTrader: (3)

I also have the Miniram and a ZZ409 cam with 1.6 rockers on both sides. Im running a 383, 10.5 to 1 with ported TF heads and wish I went with a bigger cam. It runs pretty good, but it feels like it not living up to its potential. Im now looking at getting one of Comp cams XFI cams.

vingta1989

I USE TO RUN A 406 WITH A MINI RAM AN ZZ409 CAM ...TPIS STUFF IS GREAT WOULD NT USE ANYTHING ELSE AS FAR AS 400S THEY SUCK..I SPENT A TON OF MONEY ON MINE AND IN THE END IT WAS A WEEK BLOCK BUILD A 383 OR BIGGER FORGET THE 400..TPIS HAS GREAT PROMS..MY GTA VERT IS CRAZY FAST AND IF NEED BE MY MOM COULD DRIVE IT ALL DAY TPIS KNOWS THEIR STUFF..GREAT POWE AND DRIVABILITY

formula350sd

iTrader: (2)

Dude you need to lay off the caffine

89pontiac400

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for your input I just got the ZZ409 and miniram. I wanted to go bigger and I was even thinking about a solid roller but I'm gona drive it on the street so I think the ZZ409 is good. It just happens to be 400 ci its not a real 400. I'm useing a world block with forged pistons and lunati rods and crank. it just happens to have a 4.125 bore and 3.75 stroke.

Grim Reaper

Were you planning on using AFRs and the Motown 400 Block? I heard that there can be fitment problems with the AFR heads and the Motown Block. You may want to verify this with both AFR & World Castings.

89pontiac400

iTrader: (1)

I'll let you Know for sure in a week or two when my heads come in. Thanks for the warning. I've already got everythinhg right now though. It seems to me the World block is pretty standard stuff exept for the location of the oil pressure sensor. It's higher on the block behind the head on the left side not by the oil filter like on our stock blocks.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

zz409 would be very streetable in that 400. especially with good heads, you'll still make great power and idle smooth. i'd personally step up to the ZZX but if your only looking for good streetable power u'll be happy with that combo

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

do your own programming... i'll never buy anything tpis again.

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

i'll 2nd that comment, TPIS products don't live up to the power #'s they claim. And with the price their products cost... i stay far from them.

89pontiac400

iTrader: (1)

I just installed the AFR heads on my World block this weekend and didn't have any problems. maybe the serp brackets don't line up right or somthing like that in witch case I'll just make them fit.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

for the price i paid for the miniram III. their cam and rediculously overpriced and hack of a job stage 6 ecm i could have bought a complete ls1 drivetrain. i splurged thinking i was getting the best and their chip washed my motor out. later took the ecm to a real tuner and when i saw the data it was nothing more then a slightly hoped up 730 l98 chip, barely above a hypertech stage 2. i was pissed but had no way to prove it.. live and learn. unfortunately i wasn't the only one. this was a few years ago of course but i have easily 20 counts of people across the country who had the same thing happen. so i built a case and prepared to take them to court. the fact i bought the parts out of state and the fees alone it would have cost me to serve them had i won pushed me away. i will never buy anything so crutial as computer work without bringing the car to the shop.


i later tried to sell what was decent left and replaced it with the lsx.. cheaper, more power and definately more fuel efficient. TPIS was good in the hay days... they are junk now as far as i'm concerned. BUT that's just my opinion.

if anyone is interested i still have the rediculously overpriced stage 6 chip sitting here on my desk. i'll sell it to you for $50. if you have the necessary data equipment to read it you'll get a great laugh.