I want to change my 305 to a ZZ4. I need advise on heads and cam. Emissions is a factor. Car is just for fun but will see some track if I am feeling frogy. Would like to see some mid to high 12s.
car will have SD TPI T-5 and 3.73 or 4.10 gears. Thanks for the help!

 

That T-5 isn't going to handle 12 sec timeslips out of a TPI 350. The 4.10 gears, in my opinion, are too big for a TPI motor. It'll run out of steam by the end of the quarter. Go with something between 3.23-3.73.

Get some aluminum L98 heads and a cam with duration around 210/220 (give or take a few degrees) with lift in the .480s-.510s.

Or get a nice set of Pro Toplines. I know someone on these boards is selling a set at a really nice price Then stick in a 218/224 cam or something around there (CompCams XE268 would be nice)

 

And why not?

-- Joe

 

Those of us who can drive have been running 12s and 11s for years on T5's..

The L98 head is not a terrible head, but unless you got a set for around 300 bucks i'd pass. for 1100-1200 you can have a set of really nice heads.

Stay far far far away from pro-toplines. The Alum versions have an oddball intake port which doesn't mate to any intake on the market. It requires extensive work.

Also, it requires special head bolts to clear some of the springs.

Thats why they are $500.00 NEW on ebay every day of the week.

-- Joe

 

I would think a dead-stock T-5 would get blown apart with the torque that a 12-sec TPI 350 motor would be putting down.

 

Also interesting info on the Toplines. I just remembered someone on here having a set at a pretty decent price.

 

T5's blow up from 16 year old drivers who don't know how to shift.

Pro toplines: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ro+AND+topline

-- Joe

 

how did this question become an argument about T5's at the track, again?

sorry I don't have advice for you, 92. But if people do stay on topic I would surely like to read what they say about heads and cam.

Are you planning to stick with TPI, or one of the other efi setups?

 

anesthes:

I think your comments and the other thread applies to the 200cc heads or below.

I own a set of the 220cc aluminum heads and the intake port fits a 1206 gasket really well.

I know that there is one or two other members on this site with the 220cc aluminum heads that haven't had issues...

I personally think it sucks that someone would design an intake port that can't fit to a 1204 or 1205 gasket with a 190-200cc head...

As for the T-5...shift it right and it can handle some power...the key is skill, not the trans...to a reasonable power level anyway...

 

I'm refering to whats available for pro-toplines. It seems the market is flooded with this "bad casting" 195cc heads. Summit can no longer get the other ones, and pro-topline seems to be out of business.

People say "yah $500 bux for a pair cool" but if you look at the flow numbers, they flow less than a Sportsman-II out of the box. Then you need to spend HOURs porting an intake to match the oddball ports of the heads (if you look in the thread).

B4CTOM had numerous issues from head bolts hitting springs, to pushrod hole issues.. Oh they also require .100 longer pushrods.

-- Joe

 

To answer the original question. WHy don't you try something like this:

Flat top pistons
AFR heads, milled, block decked, .045
quench and a target C/R of 10:1

The TPI will never rev, so I'd go around
224/230 - 224/232 duration on around
.510/.540 .. 112lsa / 108center

Then tinker with timing and see where you go.. Hog out the TPI setup to a 1205 intake gasket.

-- Joe

 

Thanx anesthes. So I think will start with

ZZ4 short block
AFR 195cc
port the p!ss out of my TPI base and plenum
SLP runners
http://www.summitracing.com/ comp cams PN# CCA-08-502-8
or CCA-08-305-8


What do you guys think?

And for the T-5 http://www.g-forcetransmissions.com/tran_gt-5.asp is an option if it comes down to it!

 

Yeah, I agree about the smaller port Pro Topline heads with the standard port.

I wonder if the Topline Vortec castings suffer from any of the same problems?

Also, I thought that the stock TPI base couldn't be ported to match a 1205 gasket...do you mean an aftermarket base?

 

Good start,

I was wondering if the AFR 195cc heads are emissions legal? I dont think that they have EGR provisions.

Maybe the 195cc Trick Flow heads from Summit Racing have EGR stuff. And save about $400 over the AFRs.

The ZZ4 is a great beginning, stick with that block. You can use a stud kit for the main caps and get a bit more reliability.

Yes, you will have to port the $$$$ out of the stock base manifold or buy the Accel base and slightly port that one.

The cam???? I would go with a 224/230 with about .525" lift,,, Comp Cams has a cam close to these specs.

To go 12s you will need great flow, the runners are going to hurt unless you get the large tube runners and match port the plenum to the runners. For that matter, you should match port everything!!!

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth.

 

If you are going to spend all that money then get a new base for it and if you have the money get a SuperRam.

 

just to add......I would get the edlebrock runners instead of SLP ....they are bigger...and look to me you can open them up alot more than the SLP units



good luck on your ride man !

 

I wouldn't go with TPI at all. If hes gonna spend 300 for runners, 300 for intake, then go and port it all, yadda yadda, might as well get a HSR, or a victor EFI.

A 2.8l remote EGR can be added to the HSR or victor.

-- Joe

 

reallly . I never new that ....heck I should read that stuff more closely ......maybe a swap is in my future

 

Yep.. A lot of the guys whine about the HSR's not having EGR. I'm like "uhh. Ever seen a vette?, a v6 thirdgen ?"

If you got a TIG or a high amp mig your all set. If not, mock it up, and have it welded for 30 bux.

-- Joe