Ken's Engine Project...

[Tom Bryant]

Johnny says his TPIS headers are 1 3/4" tubes.

Tom

 

[Ken]

Yeah, I'm goin' with TPIS. I called them yesterday and my builder too; hopefully I'll have them both on the phone together Monday. More questions came up.

_ken

 

[69MyWay]

Ken,

I talked to Terry at TPIs last week. The heads I am running are the straight angle plug Edelbrock series. This was an important factor in the V8 Fiero thing. Anyway, TPis said that straight plugs will not work very easy or at all on their headers.

I am not going to run headers anytime soon anyway, so it does not really matter. However, you will have the angled plugs, so no worries.

 

[Ken]

Chris, the question that arose the other day with Jim at TPIs was about Will's choice of heads. Will was planning on using the Performer RPM (70cc, angle plug) heads as far as I could tell, but Jim said the Performer's intake size was too small for the sound of what II was building. He suggested the Victor Jr. 23° heads with the 215cc intake ports and 70cc chambers. The intake valve is in that head is slightly larger at 2.08", the exhaust is still 1.60".

The machine work has begun, I just gotta get the right parts together.

_ken

 

[maxrevs85]

Ken have you considered the AirFlowRecearch heads I believe they are one of the best flowing heads out there. I have a set of them on my 383 and they flow big numbers and are responsible for the Hp gains. The Dart ,Edelbrock werent even close. They flowed better out of the box and really good with the full port job. They are the 215cc 23deg.

 

[Ken]

Yeah, I've researched AFR too, and they are located right here in my area too, not as close as Edelbrock, but close.

_ken

 

[Ken]

Another $1200 shelled-out! This is the hardest part -- waiting for the parts to come in now.

I ordered the Be Cool radiator and D.U.I. distributor (w/ rev limiter) today, the Centerforce Dual Friction clutch assembly and MSD wires last week, the transmission and the necessary parts for that swap are here, and the engine machine work has begun.

Now what I need is patience.

_ken

 

[69MyWay]

Ken,

What are you doing with the old flywheel?

 

[Ken]

Here we go again! WIIFM?

_ken

 

[69MyWay]

Here we go again! WIIFM?

_ken

WIIFM?????? I don't know that one yet :s

 

[Ken]

:L It's the age-old question man always asks; "What's In It For Me?"

 

[johnny]

LOL

john

 

[69MyWay]

:L It's the age-old question man always asks; "What's In It For Me?"

What about good ole fashion cash.

 

[maxrevs85]

Ken , two questions, 1) What intake system have you decided on and 2) what other items did you need to make the swap to the Richmond ?
I am going to go to the Richmond when I get the funds together and would like to know what to expect if you dont mind.

 

[Ken]

Chris, let me get it out of the car first, and I send it to ya. That is, unless an opportunity arises as did with my wheels and tires; I bartered those for future body/paint work. I expect to have the engine/trans swap into the final stages by early March, so it'll be a little while yet before I'll have the flywheel out, ok?

Dave, The top end decision making is coming together, so hopefully tonight I'm going to know what it'll be that I'm going to be running. I still think it's gonna be the MiniRam though, although with the Edelbrock Victor Jr. 23° heads instead of the Performer RPMs.

The ROD six-speed Corvette 4+3 replacement transmission for 1984-1988 Includes a special tailhousing and shifter for torque arm hook-up. All transmissions include shifter, back-up light switch and wire harness. However, you will have to purchase a few additional items, one of which must still be modified - the output yoke. The items required to complete the installation are available from your local Chevrolet dealer and include:

1. The electronic speedo sensor, connector and driven gear.
   ~ GM #10456087 sensor
   ~ GM #14090595 driven gear (ref. for 22 tooth)
   ~ GM #12085498 connector
   Note: Different driven gears are available depending on axle ratio.
2. A new transmission output yoke
   ~ GM #14075301 (uses standard Corvette u-joint, but must be shortened 1 5/8" as per the 1998 Corvette Fever article)
3. Any aftermarket floor shifter boot approximately 3.5" x 4.5"
   ~ Hurst #1148429 (as an example)

Hope this helps you.

_ken

 

[maxrevs85]

Thanks Ken, I appreciate the info. I've done conversions on other vehicles and it can sometimes be real b**ch. I like the" made for" parts . Also the miniram setup seems like the most versatile for stock to wild.
What do think of the urethane bushing? I'll be replacing all of them and tring to decide, I like the idea of tightening the susp. But i heard they contribute to the ride harshness. True? So far i think I've questioned you on about everthing....LOL.....Cant help it , I like to investigate before I pluck down the cash.
Thanks again

 

[Ken]

...before I pluck down the cash.

:L Ya "pluck" a chicken, you "plunk" down the cash to pay for that chicken. :L

The urethane bushings? I had the Z51 suspension to begin with so harshness wasn't a consideration, and now that I've converted most of it to urethane, along with the other mods like the camber rods and toe-rod links, I wouldn't have it any other way!

_ken

 

[maxrevs85]

Pluck ...LMAOROFPMP...Ya got me EXCUUUUSE MEEE!!!!
PLUCK THIS :booty.....

Anywho ,thanks again



But seriously, I was comparing the TPIS and and the LPE intake systems and I think the MIniram is more performance oriented. You can build alttle or alot of motor with that. And the prices are pretty close too.

 

[Ken]

:L "PLUCK THIS"?? :L

Sorry Dave, but I just had to comment.

Seriously now, I went through the same thing before deciding on the MiniRam. The MiniRam can not only accomodate a range of horsepower goals, but it is also a beautiful piece of billet aluminum "sculpture" don't you think? :gap

Also, I happened to see an LPE SuperRam at Richie's shop, and there is more work involved when the unit is delivered, at least in that case there was; the runners and the plenum had to be matched, and there were several rough spots in the casting on the inside of the plenum that had to be ground down. So I went for the MiniRam instead.

_ken

 

[maxrevs85]

Thats ok....I'll remember

Like Chris was saying , the L98 has a good cam and heads and to keep it simple the TPIS would be the best route. Whats about the EGR ? Also wonder about the VI Prom. Yuor building a big motor so I guess your not too concerned with all that.