Looking for heads to match a ZZ-9

Subscribe
Apr 21, 2001 | 08:09 PM
  #1  
What kind of heads go with this cam? What compression should I run? I don't plan to supercharge or shoot nitrous. Also, what size intake runner should I be looking at? I would like the car to be streetable and still run a low 13 second run. Thanks.

Joe

------------------
1988 GTA 5.7L TPI Auto
355 ci. block,TPIS ZZ-9 Camshaft, SLP Headers, Borla Cat Back, B&M Holeshot 2400 Stall Converter, 3.73 Richmond Gears

"Why ride a stang when birds can fly?"

http://www.geocities.com/thegta
Reply 0
Apr 22, 2001 | 01:32 AM
  #2  
I would look at the Airflow Research 190cc heads. They are pretty much considered the best aftermarket aluminum head for SBCs. The 190cc Intake runner should help your car throughout the RPM range, mainly 2500-6500 RPM. A set of complete heads are availble from AFR for a little under $1500.

------------------
1987 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
L98 TPI 350 (5.7L)
TH 700R-4 Transmission
Borg Warner 7.75" 9 Bolt Rear End

Current Mods: LT4 HOT Cam, Comp Cams 1.52:1 Roller Rocker Arms, Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Performance Resource Chip, Accel Ignition Coil, Cap, Rotor, 8.8mm Wires, K&N Filters, JET TPI Air Foil, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET (w/o LT4 cam): 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)

Soon to Come: 7.625" 10 Bolt with 3.42s and Accel TPI Intake Base
Reply 0
Apr 22, 2001 | 06:18 PM
  #3  
Dan's right about the AFR's being the best head out there, but I don't think you need a head with a 190 cc. The ZZ-9 will run out of steam before the 190's reach their potential. I would stick with a head of around a intake cc of 180 ,which would work better with the intake duration of the ZZ-9.
Reply 0
Apr 22, 2001 | 08:12 PM
  #4  
AFR 190's are great for the ZZ-9!! A 180 runner may be more optimal for the ZZ-9 but AFR 190's will work fine and then if you decide to upgrade the cam in the future you'll have the best heads out there to go with it!! Better than buying heads with a 180 runner and then upgrading the cam later and having to upgrade the heads too! What a waste of money! Just do it right the first time!! The AFR 190's are FULLY ported and are only $1250 for the 68cc heads.....another $200 and they will mill them to 64cc for you!
Reply 0
Apr 24, 2001 | 11:46 AM
  #5  
Will the Bosch Platinum +4 Spark plugs clear the SLP Headers with the AFR 190 cc L98 Angle Plug Heads? I have heard that some people have had some problems with these.

------------------
1988 GTA 5.7L TPI Auto
355 ci. block,TPIS ZZ-9 Camshaft, SLP Headers, Borla Cat Back, B&M Holeshot 2400 Stall Converter, 3.73 Richmond Gears

"Why ride a stang when birds can fly?"

http://www.geocities.com/thegta
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2001 | 03:57 AM
  #6  
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Joseph Andres:
Will the Bosch Platinum +4 Spark plugs clear the SLP Headers with the AFR 190 cc L98 Angle Plug Heads? I have heard that some people have had some problems with these.
</font>
They probably wouldn't clear the headers but you can get the AFR 190's with the STRAIGHT plugs for the SAME price so why not just do that!? I don't know what everyone's obsession is with angle plug heads!! With headers is EASY to change the plugs in comparison to changing the plugs with stock manifolds so why buy angle plug heads and cause yourself more problems when you can just get the AFR's with straight plugs! Just my opinion!

Reply 0
Apr 26, 2001 | 11:30 AM
  #7  
86TpiTransAm,

Just to let you know that changing spark plugs with the SLP headers is A LOT harder than with the stock manifolds. I was trying to find out if the L98 centerbolt valve cover heads from AFR come with straight plug design. Do they?

------------------
1988 GTA 5.7L TPI Auto
355 ci. block,TPIS ZZ-9 Camshaft, SLP Headers, Borla Cat Back, B&M Holeshot 2400 Stall Converter, 3.73 Richmond Gears

"Why ride a stang when birds can fly?"

http://www.geocities.com/thegta
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2001 | 12:22 PM
  #8  
AFR 190's !!! port match them, clean them and bolt them on! Our car had those heads, big mouth intake base, SLP runners, ZZ9 , edelbrock headers, slp exh(and minor other mods)ran 12.10's all day long w/ the 700R4.

Great stuff for the money!
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2001 | 12:41 PM
  #9  
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by nicksL98:
AFR 190's !!! port match them, clean them and bolt them on! Our car had those heads, big mouth intake base, SLP runners, ZZ9 , edelbrock headers, slp exh(and minor other mods)ran 12.10's all day long w/ the 700R4.

Great stuff for the money!
</font>
WOW!!!! That is exactly what my set up is! That is a great improvement. The only thing different is that I have SLP headers and Borla Cat Back, but that shouldn't really matter. I ran a best of 13.9 at 97 MPH on the stock heads. Are you using a 350 ci block N/A?

------------------
1988 GTA 5.7L TPI Auto
355 ci. block,TPIS ZZ-9 Camshaft, SLP Headers, Borla Cat Back, B&M Holeshot 2400 Stall Converter, 3.73 Richmond Gears

"Why ride a stang when birds can fly?"

http://www.geocities.com/thegta
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2001 | 02:46 PM
  #10  
Joseph,

I'd highly recommend the AFRs as well. I have a set with my TPIS ZZ9 cam and I am impressed. I believe they offer the straight and angle plug designs for all their applications. They do recommend certain spark plugs to be used with their heads. Go to their website and check it all out:

http://www.airflowresearch.com/main.html

BTW, are you using drag slicks? What are your 60' times?

Good luck!

------------------
Phil87IROC
Blue '87 IROC, 383 Crate Motor, KB pistons, AFR 190 heads, ZZ-9 cam, Edelbrock RPM intake, Hooker SC/LT headers, Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb (#1411), stock T-5, GM 3.42 rear w/Auburn posi.
Ohio Valley Dragstrip Trophy Bracket WINNER - 8.39 ET on a 1.82 sec. - 60'. Best MPH = 84.44. Still Tuning Carb!
Red '89 IROC L98, 700R4, T-Tops, K&Ns w/open air boxes, 160 T-stat, Hyper Chip, gutted MAF, 53kv coil, MSD wires.

[This message has been edited by Phil87IROC (edited April 26, 2001).]
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2001 | 08:34 PM
  #11  
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Phil87IROC:
Joseph,

I'd highly recommend the AFRs as well. I have a set with my TPIS ZZ9 cam and I am impressed. I believe they offer the straight and angle plug designs for all their applications. They do recommend certain spark plugs to be used with their heads. Go to their website and check it all out:

http://www.airflowresearch.com/main.html

BTW, are you using drag slicks? What are your 60' times?

Good luck!

</font>
Yes I am using drag slicks, the BF Goodrich Drag Radials. My 60 ft. times range from 1.91 to 1.89.

Thanks for all of the replies guys!

Joe

------------------
1988 GTA 5.7L TPI Auto
355 ci. block,TPIS ZZ-9 Camshaft, SLP Headers, Borla Cat Back, B&M Holeshot 2400 Stall Converter, 3.73 Richmond Gears

"Why ride a stang when birds can fly?"

http://www.geocities.com/thegta
Reply 0
Apr 27, 2001 | 02:29 PM
  #12  
How about an opinion of this cam with edelbrock heads (the 6085's)....

Reply 0
Apr 30, 2001 | 10:09 AM
  #13  
I emailed AFR and they replied to me saying that they do have straight plug design heads with centerbolt valve cover style for the L98's. Milling to 60 cc combustion chambers for the 190 cc intake heads would cost almost $1,600 total. Looks like I'll be getting these heads in the near future. Thanks.

Joe

------------------
1988 GTA 5.7L TPI Auto
355 ci. block,TPIS ZZ-9 Camshaft, SLP Headers, Borla Cat Back, B&M Holeshot 2400 Stall Converter, 3.73 Richmond Gears

"Why ride a stang when birds can fly?"

http://www.geocities.com/thegta
Reply 0
Subscribe