okay im trying to figure out what i can do to make me faster without breaking everything
Heres what i have
1990 350 iroc-z
shift kit
headers
3.73 gears
hyperjunk chip
aluminum drive shaft
modified stock exhaust so it is running true duals

Okay heres what i want:
engine-383 stroker motor
internals as strong as i need them to be but not too much stronger because this is a budget minded project
afr 195 heads
cam to match my power band possibly a custom grind
intake im not sure about id like to stay efi but im trying to figure out how much money id save by swapping to a carb. If i stayed efi id probably want a mini-ram as to carbed im not sure what id do.

500+ hp at the crank

tranny: t-56

rear end: moser 12 bolt

I think the next order of business (when i save up some money this winter) is to put a t-56 in because i really want a manual tranny. I know the gears got upgraded in the rear but i have no idea what brands they used for anything all of the mods were done before i got my car.

I would like to do the tranny and then do some speed stuff but my biggest concern is ill make her too strong and then blow out my rear without sufficent funds to be able to replace it. This being said in a perfect world i would be sane and do the rear end first and then the engine stuff but as it sits im a little bored with the amount of power i have in my car.

What would be the best speed mods to do to my engine as to give me more power and keep me on my goal to what i eventually want to have which is a 500+ hp monster. I am looking for the best bang for my buck and its very important that i dont make it too powerful yet because i cant afford a new rear end. What engine mods do you guys think i should do first?

 

Best bang for the buck is going to be nitrous. A small shot won't (shouldn't) hurt anything except your tires...

 

eh im not really intrested in nitrous. I would like everything that i do right now to be working towards my final goal and nitrous would kind of be side tracking.....I want something engine mods, so maybe new heads, or new intake? I dont have a problem with saving up for heads but the issue being whatever i buy everything else on the engine is going to remain stock so would i be better off getting some new heads? and leaving the intake alone or maybe the other way around...save up for a mini-ram and just slap her on? What do you guys think my best bet is....also remember i cant afford to have so much power that i tear apart my rear end....it will be a manual so the rear is going to take a lot more abuse then in an auto....nothing insane just manuals are harder on rear ends for the most part.

EDIT: Also im not sure if i should stay with efi or go to carbed....i really like efi but if its a lot more expensive then id switch to a carb....any sugestions are appreciated.

 

Okay, you're not a gas huffing junkie, huh? Well, whatever...JK

I would say go for the heads. THe AFRs are expensive but they are also pretty great heads out of the box. Just change the rocker studs to ARPs first thing... I won't get into why, just do it. It still pisses me off.

They will unchoke your engine, even though with stock parts you don't really need to and they will reduce weight...Some people would say don't bother now because it does take a good bit of work to install them. I mean a cam or intake would be another logical area to work with, but with out the heads to really allow airflow, the intake can't help that much. And a cam, while a good part to change, requires an intake AND heads to move sufficient air...

You say you are thinking about Mini Ram or carb so any TPI upgrading is essentially wasting money, I think...

However, you could port your TPI manifold base and plenum. Should move some more air to wake it up a bit...

You say you have a Hypertech chip?! How about getting into DIY prom buring. You can find power, response, and mileage in a maximized tune...

I guess it really all boils down to what you want. In my opinion, go for the heads. The AFR 190 or 195 will be great for future upgrading to 383 or whatever. If you were to change cams now, you may decide on something different when the time comes to put together your new engine...Then you spent a few hundred on a cam you won't use...

Have fun...

 

Yeah i want to stay away from a cam because i wouldnt be able to get what i want long term now so it doesnt make sense cash flow wise. Also while my car is in storage over the winter i plan on doing a crap load of reading and learning how to burn my own chips.

i guess my questions boil down to how much money would i save if i built the same setup with a carb (looking for 500+ hp) or am i better off sticking with the efi.

Also am i better off doing intake first and heads later (porting of the intake is pretty much out of the question as i dont have access to the tools nor do i want to buy them) or should i do heads first and intake later?

 

im a lil confused.. if u can afford the few grand for the t-56 why dont ya just buy a good rear to go with it?

 

Well, a Mini Ram is a great intake, but expensive. They go for about $1000 for the intake and fuel rails and everything. Then you need to buy a chip or burn your own. Say $300 for your eqipment to do your own, and $100-$200 more if you buy one. If you go to a carb. You can buy great intake manifolds, like my Victor JR!!(hint, hint), used and save some bucks. A good Holley or Speed Demon can be had for about $200-400. Of course you will need to modify your fuel system because the carb only needs about 7-9 PSI fuel pressure while your TPI has about 40-45 PSI. No biggie though, about 100-150 for a good electric pump and regulator for carbs...You would want to remove the tank and replace the pump with a piece of hose or a pipe...

I am personally a EFI lover right now even though I started out with carbs...I still like them though.

You really need to decide which road you are going before you jump into an intake purchase. If you are still not sure, go for the heads, they will work with either fuel introduction method...

 

Because i cant really afford it. I'm turning 17 in a little over a week and the reason ill be able to buy a t-56 is because i work during the winter while in school and i have no expenses during the winter as my car is stored (parents cover 100% of driving the familiy car) so i can just save and save. Hence money being an issue.

As far as my next step heads seem like a good place to start. My dream is a set of afr 195's but those are rediculously expensive so when i start to get some extra cash i might just end up getting something comparable and finding somewhere good to port em well see. Anyways how much power would i be looking at with afr 195's on a stock engine with a good exhaust (true duals hooked up with factory pipes so 2.5 inch, slp headers not sure what size collectors.)

 

One person cannot give any reasonable power increase from one setup to the next. I would say you would be able feel a noticeable difference. Thats all I am going to say. It won't be dramatic until the cam and intake and the WHOLE thing comes together. Engines work best as a system, every part needs to work together to optimize power output...