87_TA_GTA

Hey guys, i am starting to try and figure out my winter plans for my car. its an 87 L98 with about 88k miles. Ive had the car about two years and want to make it decently quicker without going on the juice. I was thinking about using the Stealth Ram with maybe some Vortec heads and probably the lt4 hot cam. I want the car to have a good lope at idle but still be able to to be a mostly daily summer driver.
I was thinking of using these heads but i dont know if they would be a little small. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12558060/ I know i would need the HSR Vortec base.
for the cam i was thinking of using this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-24502586/ but i dont know if i need just the cam, or the kit which is like $650.
All input would be greatly appreciated and if you have other suggestions feel free and tell me.
Thanks.

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Hi 87_TA_GTA,

Where are you wanting to make your power? Top-end? Down low?

I installed a HSR on my 89 L98 and it pulls hard in the mid & upper RPM's. However, I lost a noticeable amount of torque down low. In order to get the low RPM response back, I upgraded my rear gears to 3:73.

The Hot Cam is a nice cam and has been used a lot over the years. Do a quick search and you will find plenty of posts about it.

I don't have experience with Vortec heads but 170cc's with a HSR seems a little small to me. I have 180cc heads and, if I had the extra money, would upgrade to 195cc.

This is just my 2 cents but I hope this helps!

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

To get the adv .525 lift you need the 1.6 rockers.

There are other similar spec cams out there that will give similar lift without having to buy ($$$) rockers

87_TA_GTA

oh ok. well the only reason why i suggested the Hot Cam was that seemed to be a cam that a bunch of people were using, but if anyone has any suggestions for a different cam then i would love some suggestions.
As for the heads, I would like to get a pair that is under 1k but that seems like its pretty hard with decent aftermarket heads.
thanks guys.

Sparkytfl

If you go with the vortecs, you'll definitely need them modded for that cam. http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/ho...458/index.html I kept mine stock, very carefully measured, and the most lift I was able to get away with was .470 and thats cutting it close with a low safety margin. You could also save yourself $400 getting used ones if you look around.

87_TA_GTA

i would like to do as little machining as possible. what do you guys think of these heads? theyre only a ittle more expensive than some brand new base heads.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Patri...item336156b244

Sparkytfl

That auction doesnt say whether its a single or a pair. Or whether those are bare or assembled.

You can get a set of upgraded vortecs for 800 http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...enter/sd8060a2 They also have ones machined for screw in studs for not much more.

VincentZ28

iTrader: (2)

Do not use the Vortecs. To make them work you will spend about $600-$800 to make the flow 270cfms. Stock they flow about 230cfms. Not that much more than stock L98 cast heads. What type of metal heads you want to buy? Vortec is not the way you want to go for big hp.

87_TA_GTA

I am perfectly fine with cast iron heads, and if you know some heads that would be within my budget i would love to hear what they are. The reason why i thought of using vortec heads was because of this thread, 14th post: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...0-l98-hsr.html
thats what sold me on using the vortecs.

VincentZ28

iTrader: (2)

You can get aluminum L98 heads, hot cam, and stealth ram and make more than 350hp.

87_TA_GTA

I did a quick google search for aluminum L98 heads and came back with zz4 heads, are they the same? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12556463
would there be any modification needed to put the hot cam in?

VincentZ28

iTrader: (2)

Still have to change the springs and some mild head porting. Also with these heads you can bump up the compression.

Shadygrady

iTrader: (3)

ZZ4 heads will handle the hotcam.The heads come with the same springs sold in the hotcam kit.You can pick the heads up much cheaper used.

stealthroc89

Just remember, once you go vortec you can't go back. Unless your willing to shell out a good chunk of money to have a base that flows as bad as the stock base does. Vortecs make power because they're more efficient, they were designed to reduce emissions and it turns out they make good power too. I'm not going to suggest the vortec heads even though I'm running a set up similar to what your looking at. Do some homework and decide which is best for your needs. http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/archiv...p/t-56505.html this doesn't compare vortecs to other heads, but it does cover the ins/outs of the heads.

86camaroZ

Save yourself the pain and don't do the hsr. And you probably wouldn't meet budget.

87_TA_GTA

Ok, i am starting to think that the hsr would be a little much, i dont really need anything like the set up i had in my head. i guess what im honestly looking for is a nice quick car for my senior year before college. do you guys think id be ok with just some decent sbc heads and a cam with a stock ported TPI? pretty much anywhere in the 300s hp (not whp) would be satisfactory but also with a little lope to it.

stealthroc89

LOL good idea, it's not a simple intake/ head swap where you can change jets to get the engine running right. These are major parts of the engine your changing and alot of tuning will be required, more than you think. Stick with the stock set-up and build off of it, take the $2000 and put a T56 in it, along with the usual TPI bolt-ons and a tuned prom (price permitting). To put it to you straight, if I had $2000, I'd have a T56 in my car with no 2nd thoughts, best bang for your buck short of a supercharger. Maintains streetability, no major tuning and better gas milage, just my opinion though.