Hello, I was thinking would it be possible to take a gen 1 small block and a set of bare heads and build it up with either gen 2 or 3 components? Then do a FIRST intake with 24x conversion to make it all electronic? Or is that not even close to possible?

 

No to the 3rd Gen parts except the LS7 lifters. Depending on what Gen 2 parts you are talking about. If heads that is a lot of work and not worth it as there are now on the market much better Gen 1 23 degree heads. As to the 24x reluctor that would depend on which ECM you are going to use and other factors. Regarding the First intake system itself that is no problem with a Gen 1. In fact they now have Vortec version.

So to answer your question regarding the "ultimate TPI" I would buy the best set of SBC 23 degree heads I could afford and then purchase The First intake system and have it ported to match your motor combination. Then choose a cam to complement it.

 

You can do FIRST TPI on gen 1 with gen 3 ECM control....obd II conversion basically.

You can do TPI on Gen 2's if you can find the intake manifold that was made for it. Quite rare. But you can modify any gen 1 manifold to fit a Gen 2 head, just like how you can made a gen 2 manifold work on a gen 1.

 

well thats why I was asking because I saw that you could do the LS7 rockers, I was just curious about the rest. I would probably run the LS1, unless you suggest something different. Would AFR 72 cc intake and 195 exhaust with a zz409 cam be a good combo?

 

"well thats why I was asking because I saw that you could do the LS7 rockers,"

Some people have used the LS rockers on Gen 1s and Gen 2's but I am not sure on the geometry seeing as they were designed for an entirely different motor. I am not sure what you mean by the numbers you posted for the AFR heads.

To cut to the chase what are your goals with the "ultimate TPI"?

 

So its best to just stay away from ls engine parts? Sorry for the confusion, meant 195cc and 75 cc chambers. Part Number is 1094. Build a fully electronic TPI Gen 1 with HP in the 300-400+ range maybe and still look stock with no power adders

 

www.eficonnection.com has the complete 24x conversion set up, I was going to go with 52 mm electronic throttle body. www.firstfuelinjection has the intake setup. I would have to make an adapter for the throttle body. www.airflowresearch.com has the heads part number 1094. Hawks Third Gen has the zz409 cam

 

and also a Dart 400 small block

 

What cubic inch motor are you looking to build?

 

Im doing the same but decided to run cable tb. Thats an option u have so u could spend the extra money elsewhere

 

Whats the biggest small block you could build, as far as bore and stroke?

 

The 400...

 

You can used the raised deck 400 blocks from Dart and make some 450+" combinations but at that point your wasting money by putting a TPI on it. I'd just leave it a 400-415" motor. Even then the TPI still handicaps it.

 

Alright thanks will do. Is it better to bore an L98 up to a 383 or buy a 400?

 

IF you had a good 350 block, it make more sense to use it for a 383 build rather than to buy a 400 and restrict it with TPI. If you could find a oem 400 thats sound, you can use that but those blocks are harder to find. Good thing is, TPI's short rpm range wont stress the block all that much so they will live longer.

To get a 383-400" motor to breath with a TPI, you should look at FIRST TPI units and their big tube runner options.

 

Well that is what I was wanting to go with was the is the FIRST Intake, So i could I use the 400?

 

i would do the 383 first intake route if i was in your shoes.... even though a 383 is 17 less cubes than the 400, the 400 has more headaches like there is no 1 piece rear main seal 400 block unless you buy an aftermarket block which is a turn off for me...

 

Yes i did realize because hawks has the 4l60e conversion kit but you have to have a one piece rear seal, Which is the only thing I didnt like about the 400. Now one more question, is it possible to make a 383 out of an LB9?

 

LB9 typically goes to 334-335 inches before running out of space for stroke. Maybe able to get it to 346-350" with a 3.875" crank but thats definately a waste of effort and money. Just get a 350 block to stroke in that case.

You dont need a 4L60E conversion, it bolts up just like a normal 700r4 does, its just an electronic version of the same tranny. I'd reuse the 700r4 with a good rebuild kit.

 

If he used the 400 block can you buy a 2 piece 4.00 stroke eagle crank with the 24x reluctor and use the modern efi on it. I am curious to this application as well since I am inching toward a blown 434 or turbo like orr89rocz and would like OBDII efi or better with a 4l80e.

 

I can get a 350, I was just curious as to see if the 305 could do it, but thanks for the info. I think I will just go with a 350. Also would it be worth it to make a plate for the stock throttle body on the FIRST intake. I don't like the throttle body that comes with it. Sticks out like a sore thumb IMO. Also what is OBDII??

 

Btw Orr89RocZ and 88fastgta ya'll have some sick cars awesome work