Locations for Lingenfelter shops....

[vetteboy86]

Anybody have a C4 engine work done by a ligenfelter shop, and if so where are their locations....

Craig

 

[WhalePirot]

Their HQ is: 1557 Winchester Road, Decatur, IN 46733
p.260.724.2552 f.260.724.8761

By MapQuest, this is north of the town, just off Hwy. 27

 

[Edmond]

Yeah, I thought there was only one shop in Decatur.

I thought they only work on LT1 and later engines, though... Last time I checked, they didn't have anything older than LT1 listed.

How about TPIS? I know they're in MN, but they are the experts when it comes to TPI.

 

[vetteboy86]

Well if they dont work on L98's what good are they

Does TPIS rebuild motors? I am considering all my options, becuase if a rebuild is in my future, I want to start researching now.

 

[vetteboy86]

Whalepirot, who did your tune. Are the ECM's in our cars compatible? If I decide to go with a 383, with heads, cam, and intake, I will for sure need a good tune. I dont want to get crazy, but 400 or so ponies sound pretty darn good. Then who knows, maybe a procharger in the further future.

 

[Edmond]

Well if they dont work on L98's what good are they

Does TPIS rebuild motors? I am considering all my options, becuase if a rebuild is in my future, I want to start researching now.

I don't think Lingenfelter wanted to deal with the older SBC's anymore, that's why they don't do any L98 work. They used to have L98 packages but they took them down last year.

Check out Doug Rippie: www.dougrippie.com They're also in MN, not too far from TPIS. TPIS is in Chaska and I think Doug Rippie is only 40 minutes away or something like that.

I'm pretty sure that TPIS rebuilds motors; I would be surprised if they didn't.

 

[maxrevs85]

Tpis does it all , engines to tuning.

 

[vetteboy86]

What are my options, who sells heads, cam, and intake that will go on a 383, and then have a tune for my car. Sure I could buy the software, but wouldn't really know where to begin. This really sucks....

 

[maxrevs85]

Holy moly dude , relax it isnt brain surgery:L . All the stuff you desire is out there. Heads AFR 190's great head. The 86 computer is mor than capable to do most anything you want. The Maf sysetem is fine. If yoy want I can take care of the whole deal for you . I have a shop in Lansing Mich and have a professional engine builder That I have been using for ever in all my race cars and street cars . Pm me if your interested. I have some things I think you would like.

Dave

 

[Edmond]

What are my options, who sells heads, cam, and intake that will go on a 383, and then have a tune for my car. Sure I could buy the software, but wouldn't really know where to begin. This really sucks....

You have hundreds of options out there. There is even a place in Joliet, Illinois named Borowski that is highly recommended. That's probably 3 hours away from you.

I do know that TPIS could be a one stop shop that will put that whole package together for you. Won't be cheap but you'll get one heckuva motor. They'd probably recommend you going with their Mini Ram setup, don't know if you want to go there or keep the TPI setup.

 

[vetteboy86]

It is one of those situations in which I am open to all options. I would like to the tpi setup, maybe go with some siamesed runners, and a big mouth manifold. I am not however set in stone.

I want something that is streetable, and still be in the 400+ horsepower range. Not sure what that takes, but I bet I will find out soon enough.

Edmond, how do you know about this shop?

 

[Edmond]

Craig,

Borowski's in Joliet, Illinois is a pretty well known shop around the Chicago area. My neighbor with the '69 Camaro swears by him as does a co worker of mine. One of the forum member here also uses Borowski.

His labor isn't cheap and turnaround time isn't that quick but their reputation of quality work hasn't been disputed.

 

[WhalePirot]

a short answer?

Whalepirot, who did your tune.

a local Vette expert, but he is mostly retired...sorry

Are the ECM's in our cars compatible?

Yes, and no. I am running an '87-like setup, but with a speed density ECM from 1990. All but two years of the TPI Vettes use a MAF, as yours does. The SD is easier to setup, I hear, but is less accomodating to changes w/o reprogramming.

If I decide to go with a 383, with heads, cam, and intake, I will for sure need a good tune.

Indeed you will, IF you want it to run.

I dont want to get crazy, but 400 or so ponies sound pretty darn good.

Oh, sure. For NOW!

Then who knows, maybe a procharger in the further future.

Well, that is one of the first decisions you will have to make as it will determine your compression ratio and many other things. A N.A. engine can run 10:1 on pump gas (11:1 with aluminum heads, as my Dart Pro 1's are). If you want to boost it, your max will be around 9:1, I believe, and you may require other parts I don't need, like MSD, and more.

I have a Vette that is well mannered around town; heck, my wife went in it for furniture shopping today(!), yet it lights the 315s a bit too easily with medium right foot pressure (dammit ). The exhaust is rumbly at idle, as it should be, and quite rude when stomped. Just writing this, makes me want to take it out again!

My best advice is: pick ONE reputable, honest and ECM-wise shop and go 100% with them. If they have already built the engine you want, they can do it again, and make yours run well. It may seem more costly upfront, but the hidden costs afterwards, trying to get a decently running engine, from a piecemeal or non-specific approach, will cost more and make you REAL unhappy.

A good builder will guide you in choosing how to pick exactly what you want and need. It gets more specific than I ever thought when I began. I initially just wanted about the same as you; perhaps a higher HP number. It got that and more, thanks to many....primarily and specifically:
Jim's Performance (VA)-ECM, redone harness, sensors, and excellent advice throughout,
-Speed-O-Motive (SoCal)- guided me & built the hi-perf 406,
-TPIS (MN) exhaust and a few minor parts, (I'd pick their MiniRam over the SuperRam, for ease of install/ further work)
-(Gary) Leonhardt Corvette (SoCal) made it smooth and run like the beast he called it, and
-Mike (me) who assembled he thing, learned quite a lot, and fought frustrations with the aid of many here, as stuff broke, overheated and melted.

Would I like 1000hp? I think so, but for now, I do okay. I really don't need to break more parts while enjoying the heck out of the car. I am pushing many limits as it is, and if I see that Blk/silver Viper again, he won't slink away through traffic w/o a can-o-whoopass applied by one old fart in an old '84 'plastic pig'.

 

[Vettefan87]

Would I like 1000hp? I think so, but for now, I do okay. I really don't need to break more parts while enjoying the heck out of the car. I am pushing many limits as it is, and if I see that Blk/silver Viper again, he won't slink away through traffic w/o a can-o-whoopass applied by one old fart in an old '84 'plastic pig'.

Don't forget the camera. I would love to see that vid. I think Craigs wait will be worth the end result. Hell I am going to have to get a procharger now just to be able to keep up with him.. but I suppose that isn't such a bad thing .

 

[Edmond]

Would the aftermarket heads like TPIS, AFR or Edelbrock heads be a better choice than to have your stock heads worked on?

That's one thing that kind of confuses me. For those heads, you're looking at $1200-2000. Why not have your stock heads worked on and save money? I mean, I guess if you wanted to keep the originals for originality sake but what other reasons are there?

 

[vetteboy86]

I read an article in corvette fever in the tech section. The guy has a 91, and wants at least 350 hp. The guys said to do this he needs the following:


Mild cam intake 210-212 exhaust 222-224
ported heads
long tube headers
large tube runners
ported plenum
TPIS big mouth manifold
52mm throttle body
custom prom

They suggest porting the stock heads. I am not sure what the advantage would be in buying new ones. Would it cost less to port the originals?

 

[Edmond]

I read that article as well. I imagine the torque would be north of the 400 mark.

I would think that having the stock heads worked on would be cheaper than buying a new set. I've seen Edelbrock heads go for about $1200 from Summit. It had 2.02/1.6 valves but I forgot the other specs on it.

 

[vetteboy86]

do you know what our valve sizes are?

I wouldn't be opposed to going that route, i wonder how much hp it would yield. On the other hand, a 383 with all of that stuff would be sweeeeeeet

 

[Edmond]

do you know what our valve sizes are?

I'm sure Ken posted them before but I can't remember what it was. I'll do a search.

Stock L98 should be 1.94/1.5

Check this out:

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/41598/index4.html

They also have flow charts for some aftermarket heads. Good information.

 

[Edmond]

do you know what our valve sizes are?

I wouldn't be opposed to going that route, i wonder how much hp it would yield. On the other hand, a 383 with all of that stuff would be sweeeeeeet

This is me personally but if you were to go through the work of taking the engine out for whatever reason, it's a great opportunity to make sure it has more cubic inches when it goes back in. Whether you stay 350 or go 383, it's still the same work to put the motor back in the car.