Hi guys,
Ok so I am bent on staying with LTR setup before we get deep into this. I want the 'stock' looking engine since I take her to shows and what not, I just would like a little more power. I am willing to put in about $5,000 give or take a few hundred.

So here is what I am 99% sure I am going with....
SDPC 360HP Vortech TPI engine found here http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/1578...rip-Engine.htm[/URL]

Now I have a decently setup suspension as in signature just to get me started. I am probably gonna go with Arizona-speed and marine LTR's, only question is should I go with the semi-siamesed? Remember I want it to look stock. Other question on this issue is what year runners do I get? The engine comes with the lower vortec head intake on it, is it the 85-88 or the 89+ runners or does it even matter with chip tuning?

Where can I get new injectors and what size/brand should I go with?
What size TB should I run, they suggest a 52mm but I was just wondering what brand etc...
I am getting a custom chip burnt for this engine as well so the computer issue will not be a problem.
I have a friend that can weld for me so hopefullythe EGR pipe will not be an issue.
I have no Exhaust upgrades from factory yet, what do you recommend from Headers all the way back, brands etc... I was thinking Hooker headers, some sort of high-flow cat, and Hooker Cat-back.

On a side note with all this installed and running correctly what do you think she will run with good tires? I was hoping for mid 13's when it is all said and done.

Please help me decide on these issues before I make purchases!!

 

About the runners, I think you just need to decide if keeping the motor apearing stock is worth any more airflow you will gain out of semi siamesed or even full siamesed runners. I know I have seen stock looking runners that are just bigger diameter.
The year of the runners will depend how your intake is set up with the 9th cold start injector 85-88 or not 89 on.
They recomend a 52mm throttle body because if you can't get more air into the intake bigger runners are usless and by the same token if you can't increase the airflow through the MAF sensor and forward a bigger throttle body is useless. I think any of the aftermarket throttle bodies are nice I would just try and find the best deal on a name brand as they are kind of spendy. I think the 58mm would be a waste of $ for your applacaton.
Just my .02

 

I would recommend using SLP headers, y-pipe, and cat back. I'd use a CATCO or Random Tech cat. This stuff is all stainless, and it isn't cheap, but it will last forever and make the best power.

The easist injectors to use are FRPP (Ford Racing). They are the same Bosch style used by GM so they interchange. About a 24 lbs/hr. would be good for your motor.

You're going to have trouble running 13s with the stock intake system. It's like trying to run a marathon breathing through a straw. If you are serious about keeping it I would go with siamesed runners. Effectively these will give you less runner and more plenum area, which should allow for more top end potential. This will still not be as good as a shorter runner intake. Stick with the 52mm TB. The cold start injector can be eliminated with custom PROM work if need be.

Keep in mind that the 360hp engine is only going to make 360hp when coupled with the same parts SDPC used when testing the engine on the dyno. I would talk to them about recommendations. There's no doubt that an honest 360hp in your car can push it well into the 13s, if not the high 12s with slicks.

 

Thanks for the honest replies guys! This is helping me greatly decide what steps to take... I just dont know if I am will to sacrifice stock looks for power.... But I am taking all the suggestions into consideration. Thanks!

 

Another option if you want a stock look would be to swap to an LT1 intake. It won't look stock in your car, but it is a stock style GM intake. The car would just look like it had an LT1 swap. The LT1 is geared to make top end power up to about 6,500 RPM. With the right cam and heads this would be a great street/strip motor. I would ask SDPC what the RPM range for that 360hp engine is. You'll want to know all that stuff before you float the valves overeving it. The Vortec heads are limited by the stock springs when it comes to valve lift (coil bind issue), but SDPC usually alters the heads for use with higher lift cams, but make sure that this has been done, especially if you plan to swap in a bigger cam in the future.

 

Depends upon what you consider the "stock" baseline to be. An LT1 intake would look a lot less like a stock TPI than Edelbrock runners would, IMO. The memories are fading, as it's been 13 model years since TPI was last produced.

Of course, I've always been a function-over-form guy, so it's easier for me to say things like that.

I've never heard what TPI system SDPC based this engine and their result on - MAF or SD. I would guess MAF, since they didn't do any PROM tuning. As for RPM information, their site has:

Horsepower : 357 @ 4200 RPM
Torque : 416 ft/lbs @ 4200 RPM
Compression Ratio : 9.6 to 1
Camshaft Duration @ .050 : 218/228
Camshaft Lift, I/E : 0.525"/0.525"

Obviously, the TPI is producing torque at the expense of horsepower. A Miniram or LT1 intake should boost the HP number dramatically - assuming you went with a SD system and PROM tuned accordingly.

 

Wow, peak power at 4,200 RPM. Hope you've got a stick or have your trans set up for a WOT 4th gear shift if its an automatic, because you're going to need all 4 gears to get through the 1/4 mile in the 13 second range. I'm running through the traps in 4th gear in my T56, shifting at 5,200 with a 3.73 rear gear and stock size tires. My best time to date is a 15.30 @ 98 MPH (yes, Ive got traction problems).

Switching to a shorter runner intake will help, but you'll need to step up the cam a bit too, and probably either swap the heads or have them ported. Compression is decent, even for an upgraded setup. If you elect to have the heads ported get them done professionally. You really have to know what you're doing to get better flow from Vortec heads. They aren't like the old style castings where almost anything you did would improve flow. The Vortecs are a high velocity style head, very similar to the Vette aluminum heads. They require an experienced touch to make them better.

Even with an MAF system you will still need PROM tuning to optimize this setup. The GM MAF system really isn't that good to be honest. This is a large part of the reason they switched back to SD later. The ability of the system to correct for airflow parameters that are different from stock is better than SD, but still very limited. It's certainly nothing like a Ford ECIV, which requires no computer modifications, just tuning fuel pressure, TPS voltage, and a couple other parameters to work optimally on a 12 second car.