"best aftermarket heads & cams available"?

[sxyvet]

hi there guys.
i was looking thru "jegs" aftermarket performance catologue!
wow they have some great stuff there!
any way i was wandering some ideas what brand of afteramrket head kits and cams should i buy for my L98 engine?
i would really like to build the motor up say around the 400-450 horespower mark!
there are so many types of brand heads and cams like
edlebrock,jegs,rhs,vortec heads,brodix,track tested,afr,pro1, etc!
the guy at jegs reccomended edlebrock performer alloy heads and crane cam z-cam!, would be good for l98 corvette!
what do you think of them?
would 286 degree int/294 degree exh
.491"int/.497"exh -3,000-6800 rpm be qiute a sick cam?
would that be very lumpy idle?
any info and comments would be very welcomed bye all!
thanks for your time and reading guys
cheers
glen
sxyvet
australia

 

[Edmond]

Glen,

I don't know about that cam because I don't see the L98 making power up to 6800. In fact, with the stock system, you'll see a dropoff around the 5000 area.

The AFR's have a very good reputation. Their product is very good, the quality of the casting is excellent.

I think some of the guys here are using the Edelbrock heads. They are also highly recommended, they make all kinds of performance parts like heads, exhausts, intakes, etc...

In fact, they even make an intake system that will flow more than the stock L98. The stock L98 is a pretty restrictive system on the high end.

One of the first things I would do if I were you, if you haven't already done this, is to replace the exhaust system with a high performance system. The stock L98 exhaust system only flows through one outlet on each muffler. Not only do you gain some power, you gain the audible pleasure of a nice rumble.

 

[Robertwav1]

I remember some 30 to 35 years ago "Edelbrock" and "Crane" were top notch. Musle cars of yeasterday were built with these parts, I'm really suprised to hear that their still recommended. Must have done something right!

 

[Mad-Mic]

that cam is junk. not enough lift for what you want. there is no way you will reach 450 chp. you might get close to 400 chp. 400 rwhp is not reachable on the stock 350 unless you do a stroker and 450 rwhp isn't reachable on a daily driver.

i would go with the tried and true ZZ9 or ZZ409 or LPE 219 cam. since you have a 6 speed go with the Mini Ram for the intake. heads i would find a used set of trick flows, edelbrocks, or afr to cut down on the costs. new heads will be 1200+. afr's can run excess of 1800+ less roller rockers. so for a decent set of fully bolt on new heads your looking at 1400+shipping easily. shop around for the heads on here in the used parts section and also on corvette forum. you can usually find good deals just make sure the sellers are legit. ask around who they are and you will know if they are legit or not.

with this setups you will be around 360-380 rwhp which is about 400-420 rwhp.

also get a set of TPiS headers to compliment the cam/heads/intake setup.

Cam specs:

ZZ-9 HydraulicRoller:
Adv. duration 282 287
Duration at .050 212 226
Gross lift .483 .520
Lobe separation 112

ZZ-409 Hyd Roller:
Adv. duration 287/287
Duration @.050 226/226
Lift .520/.520
112 LSA

LPE 219 Hyd Roller:
Adv. duration 280/280
Duration @.050 219/219
Lift .525/.525
112 LSA

 

[Lucy64]

I went all Edelbrock, both cam and heads, when I had a new motor built last winter and have been very happy with both. If anything I may have gone a little too wild on the cam. I went with a grind that does cause a very rough idle and I had to install a vacuum canister to keep enough vacuum for the power front disc brakes I had installed at the same time in my 64. I could have gone with an Edelbrock cam just one step milder and solved those small problems. I had a 350 small block build that the dyno proved made over 420hp. So I can live with the rough idle.....AND IT JUST PLANE SOUNDS BAD.

 

[Drjohn]

Call the tech guys at Lunati and tell them what you want to do. Be careful you don't go too radical and sacrifice driveability.

http://www.holley.com/index.asp?division=Lunati

 

[bossvette]

For me I went with Brodix they have been making Aluminum heads longer then anyone. Their street head is good enough for a street L98 and run about $1000 assembled. To get a L98 to rev you need to go with a bigger intake and exhaust.

 

[sxyvet]

hi there guys,
thanks very much for the valuable info and help!
i really appreciate it very much!
cheers
glen
sxyvet
Australia

 

[jsinga]

The cam to make the power you want will require a custom program. So unless you want to get into programing find someone who you can work with on your combination to burn you a chip that will work. They need to know fairly close your airflow. Cam, heads, compression, intake and exhaust.

JS

 

[Hib Halverson]

Cost aside and from a performance standpoing, I think some of the best aftermarket heads are AFRs. I'd go with a Crane hydraulic roller cam and Crane Quick Lift roller rockers.

I might add that if 400-450 hp is the goal from an L98 based engine you are looking at 1) considerable expense and 2) a lot more than just a heads and camshaft change.

 

[Edmond]

Is 450 HP obtainable with the TPI intake? I thought it would've choked before it could rev high enough to make that kind of power (assuming we're talking 350 here).

 

[sxyvet]

Is 450 HP obtainable with the TPI intake? I thought it would've choked before it could rev high enough to make that kind of power (assuming we're talking 350 here).

hi there guys,
thanks for the info and more replys!
now thinking i will buy from tpis the "mini ram" from "tpis" them along with the 58 mm throttle body also they recomend with the mini ram!
thanks guys
have a great week end!
cheers
glen
sxyvet
Australia

 

[jsinga]

Take a look at thirdgen.org There is an article comparing many different combinations of intake systems on one of their forums. It comes down to what you want.

JS

 

[Louis Bartay]

It is a shame you do not have the LT1 as the LT4 heads and cam have good mid range and good top end, GM makes a Hot LT4 cam option for the 96 model 350 that makes more peak HP.. Has anyone ever tried top use the LT4 top end on the L98? The LT4 came from the factory with oval valve springs so the roller rocker arms 1:6 ratio would increase the lift with out coil bind. And the angle plug heads had the bigger valves. Did this swap on my Lt1 TA and it runs much better but I had to reprogram the computer.