I just bought a 92 ta gta it has a l98. TH ekid tore the topend off it so im going to replace it with a carb.

my question is.
will the stock heads allow me get around 350 hp?
can i reuse the roller lifters?
is this still a gen 1 small block or lt based gen 2?
recommendations for cam?

 

Post the casting # YOU ACTUALLY HAVE ON THE MOTOR, without that, all else is ,,,, ... , worse than worthless. With the heads THAT ACTUALLY CAME ON IT, which may or may not still be there, .... maybe.

Generally, yes; if the wheel bearings still run smooth, and they don't fall all the way out of the figure-8s with whatever cam you want to use. Are they "The Best"? another question altogether from "will they work".

The L98 appeared first in the 85 Vette. NOT a "LT based" motor. Pre-dates "LT" by the better part of a decade.

Yes, absolutely, the motor must have one. No exceptions if you expect it to run at all. Details will depend on all the usual factors... gearing, converter, vehicle weight, purpose/usage, owner tolerance for poor gas mileage or restricted high-RPM output, emissions inspection requirements in your locality, and so forth.

 

The stock 083 TPI heads are pretty good. I would run a cam with around 210-220 duration and keep the lift under 465 or so unless you get an Alex Spring kit or some conical Beehive springs put in to let you get more lift. A better cam, good intake and Holley 650, headers and 3in exhaust should get you to 300 FWHP.

 

Even with beehives, 083's have the O-ring seal grooved valves. Somewhere in that .460 neighborhood the groove will pass the valve seal lip. The valves would need to be changed, or the heads machined to move the seals down, or run umbrella seals... No really good answer...

 

Something like a Herbert Cams CCH216 215int 220exh 465lift would be a great cam in that engine.