Cascade Crew

d00012 · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:52 am Post subject: Cam and Head selection

I'm going to be putting together a 383 over the next couple months.

Going to use the First TPI intake.

Wanted to know which cam and head combo would be best for a streetable motor? And power guesstimates.

Thank you!

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Cam and Head selection

d00012 · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:57 am Post subject:

From what I've looked into with them, they will work well. And keep a somewhat stock look, minus the giant LS style throttle body.

Other option is the TPiS Mini-ram.

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:22 am Post subject:

Have you priced them out yet?

d00012 · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:42 am Post subject:

Yes, I have.

Only a few hundred dollars separates the two. I know the FIRST TPI doesn't come with everything, and small things have to be bought elsewhere. The Mini-ram kit is a little more complete. Both do not come with injectors. Now that I think about it...I might decide on the Mini-ram. Laughing

Alphius · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:45 am Post subject:

No cheap SBC intake is as good as an HSR with a Kirban AFPR.
FAST TPI is expensive as hell and doesn't flow as well from what I've read. Really only people who want to look "kind of but not really stock" use it.
Get a nice set of aluminum heads and build for a CR of 10:1 or higher. Put a nice streetable roller cam in it. I had RHS Pro Action aluminum heads, 10.2:1 compression, an HSR intake and a small Summit K1103 flat tappet cam and made more than 1HP/ci at the flywheel, and even more torque. It was a good, fun combo. 320WHP/370RWTQ on a poor tune.

Really though, for not much more money you should do a 5.3 swap with a mild cam or an LS6 cam. Why spend time and money building a small block when it's never going to be as streetable, as powerful, or as good on gas as an LSx platform? Price doesn't even really separate the two builds like it used to. That's my two cents on the matter.

d00012 · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:53 am Post subject:

LSx is overpriced for this area. Unless someone can help me track down a motor/trans for a reasonable price?

Can you PM me a list of parts for a swap? Or do you have everything in your swap thread?

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:27 am Post subject:

The FAST TPI setup is a thousand dollars just for the bare intake kit. You can buy three Stealth Rams or two Mini Rams for that price.

For that much money you could buy a used Stealth Ram and a set of decent used aluminum heads.

As Gabe said the FAST kits are for old rich guys who want to look cool and have expensive toys and aren't worried about going fast or having any sort of budget.

Alphius · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:03 am Post subject:

LSx swap:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/3665589492.html for example.
It's not hard to find a 5.3/4L60E 2WD combo from a truck in a junkyard around here. Check car-part.com
Camaro accessories, manifolds, intake and oilpan $500ish
LS6 cam $150
Spohn motor mounts $90
Transmission crossmember $100
On a budget I bet I could do a basic swap like this for under $3k. Mine has been a lot more expensive because of the T56, real LS1, Autometers, lots of not-so-necessary parts etc.

Well to be fair if you searched for good deals you could make as much power with your L98 for much cheaper. For instance, I just sold my aluminum heads and HSR setup for about $1300 total. It wouldn't get the same mileage or be as streetable though.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 10:58 am Post subject:

d00012 · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:48 pm Post subject:

Yeah, decided on doing what Gabe did, just buy the LS1 & T56 together. I've been convinced! Laughing

QwkTrip · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Cam and Head selection

d00012 · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:06 pm Post subject:

Hmmm...good point. Haha!

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:57 pm Post subject: