mrtater99

iTrader: (1)

Hello to everyone. I've been reading/studing the threads on third gen for several months now. Anytime I have questions on what way I want to go I always check here first. I have bought several things online, most of which I did my research here before buying. Anyway, about a year ago, I decided to do a conversion on my 91 4.3 4x4 1/2 ton extended cab. The bad part is I didn't check the hp rating on the 305 before buying a wrecked 89 RS. Which gave me a whole 10 horse power gain over the 4.3. To increase the potential, I bought a set of 081 heads and did a heavy port and polish on them and milled them .030. I went with long tube headers and 3" catback dual exhaust (flowmaster). I also used a 3 wire o2 sensor for more accurate readings. I also did the tbi modes, including converting the fp regulator to adjustable. Electric fans, a 77 hei with external coil setup. For the computer, I built the megasquirt 1 computer and also started out with 65lb. injectors. The results I came up with were very surprising. While it ran a little rich at idle, the performance I got from the setup was fantastic. Using the ms datalogging I ran about mid 17's in the 1/4. Not bad for a 305 to push a 6000 lb pu with A/T tires down the strip. Actually back road using my range finder to mark out the 1/4. While I don't know what my speed was, the speedo only goes to 80, I can tell you that the speedo lost it's white on the high side and came back around to the 20mph before I lost nerve and backed out of it. (No, not in the 1/4).
Now to my question, While I told myself that my pu was a "one last time" kinda thing. I haven't been doing much wrenching in the last 15 years. I have gotten the bug again and am setting up to build another motor. A 350 this time. I already have a complete tpi intake setup I bought a while back, ($180.00 shipped-couldn't resist.) and just recieved my new ms2 v3 kit in the mail. I have decided that I want to go with a roller block. I picked tpi because I have always thought that they were the coolest looking setup ever made. The next thing I need to know and have found at least a 100 different openions on, is what would be a good set of heads and cam to go with the tpi. I will do a extensive port and polish on them too. I also am going to need full roller rockers. The situation is, and remember to exhale when you start laughing, but what I have in mind is, I have a 85 toyota van that I want to trick out. That's what the motor will go into. I've read alot of budget builds and wonder where the budget part comes in. What I need is good heads and cam that work well with the tpi on a real "budget" I've been reading about the "hot cam" but not sure if it's good for the tpi. What I want it for is mostly is street lite to street lite. quick shots, and daily driver.
In the end, I have a friend that has a 85 mustang he's building and I want to smoke him bad... My thought right now is to have 2 1/2" - 2 into 2 The main pipe will be 3" into a quiet caddy or pu muffler. the other side will be a 1 1/2" pipe going into a fart can. To try to give it the 4 cyl. zippy car sound. So what would you suggest for a heads, cam and rocker setup for me? On a "pillifering money behind my wifes back" budget.

Thanks
mrtater

89Nighthawk

LT4 hot cam and Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads. I can't belive I answered this. A TOYOTA!!!!

mrtater99

iTrader: (1)

If it's any consolation, the only reason I am going with the toyota is because I don't have another sleeper car which I would prefer to put it in, on hand. I would like to go with something like a old nova or early 80's malabu or something of sorts. If one happens my way before I start on the toyota, than I will gladdly use it instead. I happen to have a toyota van sitting in the back yard I need to do something with. I wanted to restore the 89 rs I bought and build it, but there was just too much damage to make it worth while.
For a background on me, my first rig was a 69 ford pu. I went from a 360 to a 300 to a 302 I built before I rolled it. My next project was to take the motor from the rolled ford and stuck it in a 49 kb2 international short box. Mustang rearend, 3 speed out of a friends rolled Torino, clutch pedal ***. out of a old scout, buckets out of a Tbird I scrapped. Next car was a vega I put a 327/powerglide combo in. Run it down the stretch once and got ride of it, in parts. That was close to 20 years ago. Since then it's been mostly stock rigs. or having someone else do my wrenching for me as my wages grew. It's been so long since I've done any real wrenching, with the exception of my 91 pu project I forgot how fun it was. I figure it's alot harder to swallow getting beat by an old toyota van, than it is to be beat by an Iroc or vette. It might be a toyota but it will be all chevy power...radiator to rearend. I was wondering why everyone was giving me the silent treatment.

'nough said
mrtater

V6canvas

iTrader: (1)

I think that a toyota van would be a sweet sleeper!! I know I'd hate to get beat by a box of a van. And you'll be able to get into chevy shows and toyota shows .

definatly ranks on the unique factor. Unfortunatly I don't have a lot of knowledge on what heads/cam to use. see if you can get some used heads, people are always upgrading, maybe you can find some really good (but not the latest and greatest) for a bargin.

mrtater99

iTrader: (1)

For those of you that couldn't swallow the idea of me doing a build on my toyota van, I just picked up a 77 camero with a stroked 350 with head gasket problems. The car is in primer, and needs interior work.
So far, I have my TPI intake, Megasquirt 2 setup, and bought a hotcam, from a guy on this site, Now, if it would just show up... The motor has a elderbroc intake, alum. valve covers, headers, 3 core radiator, Crager wheels, auto, with some fancy shifter on it, and a 10 bolt rearend. They said it had some kind of cam in it, but wasn't sure what it was. I'll find out when I open the motor up.
I'm still going to use my tpi setup and hotcam. Gonna have to convert it to a roller setup. Not sure what heads it has yet. I'm gonna pick it up this weekend.
If the heads are worth keeping, i'll do a heavy port and polish on them and the intake.
It has red interior just like the 89 I parted out so i'll use as much of the old parts car that I can make fit.

I still would like more input on what all I could/should do on this.

Thanks
mrtater99