torqueaddict

Looking for opinions/experiences with this combo for a stock 89 350 TPI:
1. Vortec heads (don't know which size to choose, casting #s??)
2. Scoggin-Dickey lower intake
3. inexpensive emissions-legal headers (don't know what is good)
4. HOT Cam (where to find these? part #s?)
5. 1.6 Rockers (are any cheap ones fine?)
6. LT4 Springs

I was going to leave the rest alone. I figure the above things make sense to do all at once, this way if I want to upgrade upper intake stuff later I can leave the motor alone (since I am on a budget now)

The only thing my car has now is a ported upper plenum, new accel injectors, adj fuel reg., and I have the dual cat option. I hope to be at 350 hp after these mods.

Any opinions, experiences?

thanks,
-Dan

TransAM Joe

iTrader: (6)

Well the vortec heads and the hot cam make a good combo but not really with the tpi setup because of the lack of flow above 4800 rpm. The hot cam is more tailored to an lt1 or stealth ram setup that pulls through 5800 rpm, where the hot cam really shines. Any vortec head is going to need some mods to handle the lift of the hot cam at 1.5 and a few more to handle the .525 lift at 1.6. My old tpi setup did well with the zz4 cam and ported stock heads, plenum and base for very little money. I would recommend going this route on a budget then spending money on the all new upper end to just change it later. If you want to run the hot cam and vortec heads I think you will be disappointed with the tpi setup even if it's modded one. Instead of buying the tpi vortec base for the same money you could get the stealth ram base and plenum and just add holley fuel rails, then add your other listed componets this would get you close to 350 hp at the wheels.

torqueaddict

Thanks for the info.

I recently read the article "New Wave TPI" shows the results of 3 combos:

Stock 5.7, Vortec Heads ------------Peak HP: 305 @ 4800
SD Vortech Intake ------------------Peak Tq: 395 @ 3400

The above, plus --------------------Peak HP: 317 @ 4800
ZZ4 Cam, LT4 springs --------------Peak Tq: 399 @ 3500

Stock 5.7, HOT Cam ----------------Peak HP: 354 @ 4800
Vortec Heads -----------------------Peak Tq: 427 @ 3800
SD Vortec Intake
1.6 rockers
better runners
larger throttle body

(http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...e_vortec_head/)

I was really impressed by the gains by just popping on the heads, intake, cam, and springs. Do you think these are realistic gains? The aricle claims $450 for a set of Vortec heads ready to bolt on.

I figured I could aim for the last setup, but just do the lower end motor mods and address the plenum/runners later when I have more money.

3.8TransAM

Been there done that, quite a few yrs ago :-)

It works great, but take a look at the comp cam w/ 212/218 and .495/.500 lift.

Really wakes up TPI midrange and lots of mid range torque.

Hotcam will work, but there are better cams suited for TPI imho.

later
JEremy

torqueaddict

Thanks. I'll consider another cam.

But how about the heads? Would I see gains like the ones I posted with Vortec heads and the comp cam mentioned?

I'm still learning about matching cams with heads, intake, etc...