Head swap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis Maryland
Head swap
1982 CFI, asking for recommendations for set of SBC street performance heads.
Low mile stock CE, I finally FOUND a Renegade man in good condition. What a difference! With the manifold and a set of headers, the shift points have gone fm 4700 rpm to 5200 (don’t know how it knows) and just more power all around.
Not looking for 12 seconds (Buccaneer), but I would like to get some better breathing and switch to 92 octane and leave the OEM L83 cam. The AFR Eliminator or Enforcer models and the Trick Flow heads seem okay?
I’m also wondering if the stock TB’s and ECM will do. I think I heard that the ECM setup was dependent on the cam used, which I hope to keep stock for drivability. But, hey, I ain’t no car engineer!
Any help out there? Thanks, amigos!
Low mile stock CE, I finally FOUND a Renegade man in good condition. What a difference! With the manifold and a set of headers, the shift points have gone fm 4700 rpm to 5200 (don’t know how it knows) and just more power all around.
Not looking for 12 seconds (Buccaneer), but I would like to get some better breathing and switch to 92 octane and leave the OEM L83 cam. The AFR Eliminator or Enforcer models and the Trick Flow heads seem okay?
I’m also wondering if the stock TB’s and ECM will do. I think I heard that the ECM setup was dependent on the cam used, which I hope to keep stock for drivability. But, hey, I ain’t no car engineer!
Any help out there? Thanks, amigos!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,842
Likes: 9,284
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
without a intake, fuel delivery system and exhaust change your pissing in the wind. you need a package deal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1,291
From: Fleming Island, FL
I would regear the car first. Those cars came with some dead gears.
Edit: after the regear and you still want more, I would dump the CFI. Not that's it's a bad system (ain't that great either) there's no engine management support. Which means without the ability to change the timing table, you're leaving a lot of power on the table. Probably more than the heads would gain you.
Edit: after the regear and you still want more, I would dump the CFI. Not that's it's a bad system (ain't that great either) there's no engine management support. Which means without the ability to change the timing table, you're leaving a lot of power on the table. Probably more than the heads would gain you.
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Nov 17, 2024 at 02:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis Maryland
just opening up the breathing with the renegade manifold and exhaust system, the EFI seems to handle the changes without any problems, and the seat of the pants change has been impressive.
i'm hoping the better heads and increasing the CR for higher octane fuel will give some extra performance without maxing out the TB flow and stock fuel delivery limits. i guess we'll see if the ECM can adjust, maybe i'll need another chip or something? maybe time to bore the TB's and upgrade the injectors?
just trying to stay within the L83 mechanical capabilities, looking for maybe mid to high 5000 rpms and 300 + HP
i'm hoping the better heads and increasing the CR for higher octane fuel will give some extra performance without maxing out the TB flow and stock fuel delivery limits. i guess we'll see if the ECM can adjust, maybe i'll need another chip or something? maybe time to bore the TB's and upgrade the injectors?
just trying to stay within the L83 mechanical capabilities, looking for maybe mid to high 5000 rpms and 300 + HP
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis Maryland
well i did the exhaust and intake manifold, just don't know what HP the stock CFI system will support. runs pretty good now with no changes to the original 14 psi/stock TB setup
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1,291
From: Fleming Island, FL
When my 82 still had the CFI my mods were the following: full length headers, 16146299 ECM from a 92 Chevy truck that I burnt my own chip using Motes hardware and Tunerpro software, 3.07 rear, full time cold air mod with K&N air filters, and a single Magnaflow cat. I ran a 14.75 at Gainesville raceway on street tires. I still had an unported stock intake manifold. I hope that gives you some idea of what kind of power you're making. I tuned the AF ratio using a wideband. When I raise the pressure indiscriminately my car actually slowed down. I know what you're trying to do, keeping this car stock appearing while getting the most out of it. I believe if you want to get more out of it you going to need some sort of aftermarket stand alone ECM like Megasquirt. Self learning air fuel ratio is a godsend.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis Maryland
thanks so much! just the kind of info i was looking for. the car runs so well with the renegade and exhaust mods i'm wondering if the ECM is doing it right, hopefully not too lean but rich enough at full throttle to give it the extra HP. maybe Buccaneer will have some thoughts on that, dyno time where i live is a little $$$
not just for the looks, but the whole setup with the crossflow and cold air induction i like, and the hassle it would be to go carb or aftermarket FI i'm trying to avoid. i just could not stand the lack of power that was engineered out by GM, just felt like driving my ole '64 slant six dodge dart
i would love to be a drag racer but have never lived close enuf to a track to do so. otherwise i might go back to a C3 big block and go fm there! thanks again for the help!
not just for the looks, but the whole setup with the crossflow and cold air induction i like, and the hassle it would be to go carb or aftermarket FI i'm trying to avoid. i just could not stand the lack of power that was engineered out by GM, just felt like driving my ole '64 slant six dodge dart
i would love to be a drag racer but have never lived close enuf to a track to do so. otherwise i might go back to a C3 big block and go fm there! thanks again for the help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
FIRST -- remove the air flap in the hood for full time COLD air
Summit 152123 heads
1.52/1.6 roller tip rockers
TJ11 Pod injectors from a 454SS truck
EP241 fuel pump from 1986-1990 L98 vette
These should get you to 350 crank HP and about the limit of the ECU
Summit 152123 heads
1.52/1.6 roller tip rockers
TJ11 Pod injectors from a 454SS truck
EP241 fuel pump from 1986-1990 L98 vette
These should get you to 350 crank HP and about the limit of the ECU
Last edited by Fast81; Nov 18, 2024 at 04:17 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 699
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
You still using the original 700R4 transmission
and aluminum diff?
If so, I hear they don’t like high hp.
No personal experience, just reading other conversations on the subject from when I considered bulking up my 82.
and aluminum diff?
If so, I hear they don’t like high hp.
No personal experience, just reading other conversations on the subject from when I considered bulking up my 82.