david roush

iTrader: (1)

Here's my delima. I see most people on the board that are running SR either have a 355 or a 383 engine. I only have a 350. I have a SR set up that's been extruded and honed just setting around waiting to be installed. My thinking is that if i don't change heads and the cam it will defeat the purpose of the SR. Is this thinking right? If i swap heads and a cam i am probably looking at another $1400 . I am thinking of maybe selling the SR and going with a supercharger or would that be even a worse decision. And would putting the SR on w/o different heads/cam be a bad idea? Any help clearing my head would be appreciated. Thanks

vernw

iTrader: (2)

Boy, you talk about opening up a can of worms.... just realize all the responses will be personal opinions often backed by very few hard and/or verifiable facts.

Having said that, my opinion is as follows:

First, did you have the SR lower intake done along with the runners? If not, you won't see the full benefit of the extruded honing done on the rest of the SR. And there's no way you'll want to run an SR upper and with a factory lower intake manifold (pretty big waste of time and money).

You have to realize that the only real difference between a 350 and a 355 is the latter had to be bored out a little bit to clean up the block before putting in pistons and rings. A 355 does not by definition have different heads or cam. Altho lots of folks do upgrade those when they've got the motor all torn apart <LOL>

Of course, you already know all that so I'm preaching to the choir. Sorry 'bout that, just saw who I was talking to.

Personally, I think the SR's performance is a fairly big improvement over the standard TPI regardless of what else has been done. It "breathes" at a lot higher RPM than the 4500RPM limited TPI system. Headers, cam, and even heads do nothing but increase that performance gain. So you'll not "lose" by installing the SR and waiting for the other stuff to be added at a later date, if so desired.

The only drawbacks to the SR in my opinion are the potential vacuum leaks (be sure to get BRAND NEW gaskets from Summit to help on this) and the total PITA the SR is as far as installing and removing when ever you need to do something to or under it. Most of the time I figure on at least a couple of hours time each way (on or off) due to the fact that I also RTV both sides of all gasket surfaces with mine. It's a great intake, but a real biatch to work around and with. It's also easier to assemble the SR if you slot the runner to plenum bolts so they can be threaded in from the top. Or tap the runners for the next larger size, drill the plenum to that, and attach the runners from the top. Also start all bolts before tightening any of them.

The SR is enuff of a PITA that when I install my new AFR 195s in a few days/weeks, I'm seriously considering putting a converted LT1 intake on instead during the reassembly. Performance will probably be about the same but the LT1 should be a lot easier to work with and around. A little more symmetrical in terms of distribution bank to bank as well.

YMMV, of course!

david roush

iTrader: (1)

Opinions are fine. I like to get as many as i can, add them all up and decide from there. And yes , the SR set up i have is complete with the lower intake and it was extruded and honed w/ the runners.
I was just wondering all this because a buddy of mine keeps telling me putting it on is going to kill my performance rather than help.
Vern... which gaskets are talking about and you wouldn't happen to have part #'s would you... Thanks

vernw

iTrader: (2)

The SR gasket set, in particular you want the current runners to lower intake gaskets. Only way I know to get them is to order the wholle set from Summit (part #ACC-74196G ) for $32.39 plus shipping/handling. I'd get two set, always good to have a spare on hand - especially if it's a daily driver.

doc

David, good to see you back on the board. Aren't delimas great?
Since you have the SR ported out, I would diffinately use it. Buy a 190cc or 195cc intake port heads with large valves (AFR, Edelbrock, or Trick Flow) and a good cam (224/230). Also, buy a good base (TPIS, Edelbrock). Do a search for hints on how to make it easier to install the SR. Overall, you will love the results.
I have used the SR for about 6 years now, first on my 350, and now my stroker 395. Its a PITA all right, but with the right tools & patience, it will go on OK.

doc

The right tools:
1) use socket heads from the runner to intake bolts and buy a ball ended allen key for these bolts. Reason is its difficult to tighten up one or two bolts on each side because the rocker arms are in the way. The ball ended allen key allows you to work at an angle, getting around the rocker arm.
2) A racheting wrench for those pesky small bolts that go in from under the plenum, this wrench helps a bunch here.
3) Grind at the sides of the runners to allow access to the runner to plenum bolts. Some are too close to the runner, making difficult to get a wrench on the 12 point bolts. It might be a good idea to install the runners to the plenum on the bench first, to see what might need a bit of grinding.
4) Loosely install all runner bolts first, then snug up all runner bolts, then tighten them up.

david roush

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the help Vern and Doc. I already have the accel base which has been extruded and honed along with the runners and base so that's probably what i am going to work with. I have been looking into the LPE 219 cam but haven't found a deal on one to jump on yet........
So basically you guys don't think putting on this SR right now w/o changing the heads and cam is going to kill my performance like my buddy keeps telling me it is?

doc

The SR will not kill your performance w/o changing the heads and cam. But I did think that I would get new heads & cam now, to install along with the SR. But then I am spending your money.

david roush

iTrader: (1)

Any other recommendations on cams that will work well with the SR ?
Part #'s ?

doc

I think that the LPE cam is too small. BUTTTTT, I am far from a cam expert. I have a 395 stroker and a 224/230, some ploeple have said that they thought that my cam was too small for 395 cubic inches.

A 219 cam will run out of steam well short of 6,000RPM. It really matters where you want to make your peak Hp.

I am making my peak Hp at about 5800 RPM (if I remember correctly).

Flip 2

iTrader: (1)

Doc-
How is your setup running on the hwy?
I ask because I'm doing a 383 with a Comp Cams 230/236. Their tech tried to steer me even bigger. It will be strong, I just don't want to end up with a one joke show.
Dart alum heads with big ports (210), by the way.
Thanks-

PS- This relates to the origin of the thread. Heads since '91, SR since '94. Never ran right on 355s with smaller cams (222/222, 216/226).

doc

Not to steal the thread,,, My car runs great on the highway, and the overall drivibility is really good. I had a bit of a problem with stalling when the engine is hot when shifting from P to R or D, but I have fixed that issue for the most part with an additional Eprom burn. The car is a daily driver that runs 12.2 with no problem.

I am running only 190cc intake runners with a 224/230 cam. I'd like to go a bit bigger with the heads. Your 210s on a 383 seems too large overall, but should be great for top end.