Ok, here's the deal. I have an 88 IROC with the L-98 TPI motor in it. I have a new GM L-98 shortblock that I'm going to put in it but I can't decide on what head/intake combo to use. I have the original heads, a set of saw tooth Vortecs, and a set of Dart Sportsmans II angle plugs. I also have the stock TPI intake and an LT-1 intake. I had been thinking about purchasing the SDPC base and using the Vortecs but lately I've been thinking the Darts would be a better choice. Would I be better off having the LT-1 intake modified and using it or upgrading the TPI setup. I'm partial to the look of the TPI setup but bottom line power matters most. I have the stock L-98 cam and a ZZ-3 cam. Should I use one of these or some other grind? I want a fast car but streetable is very important. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Jason

 

I would go with the fast burn vortecs

see this article on what they can do with a cam and intake

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e_tpis_zz_450/

 

I'm impressed with the power from the TPIS combo but I was wondering what the best combo of the parts I have would be and what they would be capable of.

 

Using the parts you have I would go with the Vortec's. They will always outperform those old school heads. The raised ports and design are just excellent power makers. Here's my recommended combo for you.

L98 + Vortec head + LT4 cam or use your ZZ3 cam. but the LT4 will really make great power on the cheap. It's only a $200 cam.

 

I know you're steering towards the Vortec setup. After looking at the price on the SDPC base, egr kit, and machine work on the vortec heads I have, I would think my money would be better spent on altering the LT-1 intake and using the World Products Sportsman II heads which already have 64 cc Fast-Burn chambers 200cc runners and 2.02 and 1.60 valves with angle plugs. I could get the intake work done and the LT-4 cam for the same price of the SDPC base. After reading it looks like I stand to make more power over a broader range with the LT-1 intake. Am I misinterpreting what I'm reading?

 

Watch out!
This is what I read off of LT1intake.com

Will the LT1 intake fit my standard SBC heads?

I have test fit the intake on several different types of heads including stock early and late bolt pattern, Trick Flow, and AFR. Due to the dozens of heads available for the SBC I cannot test fit them all.

Some heads that have had problems are World Products Dart II and Sportsman II heads. The coolant ports and EGR port are much larger and there isn't enough intake flange to cover the larger holes. Seems like to me some material would need to be welded to the LT1 intake to provide additional coverage of these larger holes.

 

Thanks for the info LB9, I had already read that post and I'm planning on having some extra material added as it suggests if needed. I'm going to set the intake and heads on the intake tomorrow to see if it needs it.