Yes to answer the first question I have searched the forum but I'm new and I just need to have some general tpi questions answered. I'm looking to build a sport truck next year for 1/4 mile drag racing and maybe a little autocross based on a '88-'92 GM 1/2 ton pickup. I'm planning on starting with a ZZ short block and want to use a GM TPI setup so I can integrate it nicely with the truck using parts from Street and Performance electronics. I'd like to get a realistic 420-460 street legal horsepower st the flywheel from this engine and still maintain driveability. I also want something that will pull strong to 6200rpm's with the power band lying between 3000-6000rpm's. I've heard that I'll have to get the TPIS mini ram and manifold to do this. Does the mini ram still use egr and is it street legal? How hard is the mini ram swap? What's a good set of aluminum heads for my application? I keep reading about the AFR 195's and Trickflows-is there really a strong advantage to either one over the other? I keep reading about concerns with valve guide wear on the trickflows. What cams work best with these heads? How will the LT4 hot cam or LPE219 work? Do both the afr and trickflows like dual pattern cams? Sorry for all the questions-any info or advice on a setup will be appreciated. Thanks.

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RobZ71LM7
http://robz71lm7.domainvalet.com/page1.html

 

Since nobody else is sayin anything...

The miniram doesnt have a provision for the EGR. That shouldnt really be a concern on a 400+hp engine anyway IMO. To get a TPI to realistically breathe to 6200 would be difficult without using some sort of other manifold. I messed with one (siamesed the base) and picked up around 500rpm, but I think its still going to fall short of what you are looking for. If you are concerned about emissions legality, the superram is the only choice.

I couldnt pick one between the 2 heads you have listed. I hear good things about both of them. The guide wear problem is only an issue on the earlier versions, which you cant buy new anymore.

Cam depends on the HP you are looking for, and I would say neither of those you suggested will get you near that with a 350. You would be better off with more cubes IMO.

 

Thanks for your reply-perhaps the engine swap forum would be a better place to post this. I was planning on a TPIS Big mouth manifold and their mini ram. I might just have the edelbrock manifold ported instead because as I understand it the TPIS is nothing more than a ported Edelbrock manifold. I was afraid that the 350 wouldn't be able to put out that much horsepower-I guess I was right to be concerned. Well I'll have to go with the otehr plan I had in the back of my mind-build a TPI 383 stroker. A stroker would probably be better, becuase the flat torque curve woudl be needed to push the truck around an autocross course. As for a cam to use with the 383 guess the best bet for the tpi 383 woudl be to give Crane a call and tell them what I want or perhaps get a custom grind. Anybody have any links to their TPI 383 build up? Thanks again.

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RobZ71LM7
http://robz71lm7.domainvalet.com/page1.html