Trickflow Top end kit for L48
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
Trickflow Top end kit for L48
Has anyone used this top end kit on stock L48?
http://www.trickflow.com/largeimage....S-K314-350-400
Need to do a valve job and replace cam, timing chain/gears. So why not aluminum heads and slight CR increase with 64 heads.
78 silver anivr. L48 4spd, 3.36 rear true dual exhuast.
http://www.trickflow.com/largeimage....S-K314-350-400
Need to do a valve job and replace cam, timing chain/gears. So why not aluminum heads and slight CR increase with 64 heads.
78 silver anivr. L48 4spd, 3.36 rear true dual exhuast.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Pistoia PT (ITALY)
Good heads, but without a matched cam and intake you are wasting money!
The stock L48 camshaft have very low duration and lift, making it suitable for low RPM application with small intake ports..... the TFS heads have very good flow numbers (for the port size) but need at least some 230° @ 0.050" cam in order to give it's best...... may matched with the very good Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap intake!
My opinion is with this configuration you can have over 400 Hp with a good exhaust !!!!!
.....but the next weak part will be the bottom end..... at least, because the L48 have two Bolt Main Caps, you have to use ARP studs.
If you intend to change only heads, may you need some smaller port combo, like Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM (basically the same heads (apart for the cross hexaust hole).
...just my two cents...
The stock L48 camshaft have very low duration and lift, making it suitable for low RPM application with small intake ports..... the TFS heads have very good flow numbers (for the port size) but need at least some 230° @ 0.050" cam in order to give it's best...... may matched with the very good Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap intake!
My opinion is with this configuration you can have over 400 Hp with a good exhaust !!!!!
.....but the next weak part will be the bottom end..... at least, because the L48 have two Bolt Main Caps, you have to use ARP studs.
If you intend to change only heads, may you need some smaller port combo, like Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM (basically the same heads (apart for the cross hexaust hole).
...just my two cents...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: South Elgin IL
Different kits have different cams (obviously) for higher HP. Depends on what kit you want:
Here's another with a bigger cam: http://www.trickflow.com/egnsearch.a...9&autoview=sku
Here's another with a bigger cam: http://www.trickflow.com/egnsearch.a...9&autoview=sku
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Mukilteo Washington
I have this kit on my 383, the cam is weak and the valve springs can't handle much more lift, I think .480" max lift, it does have a strong bottom end but falls flat at 5000 RPM. I do like the 110 LSA, gives it a nice sound at idle even with the small duration and lift, If I did it again I would have steped it up one level. Pease 
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Go to Summit buy the Edelbrock Performer RPM Head Combo package that comes with heads cam and intake slap a 750CFM carb of your choice and you'll easily have 420HP and you'll be spending weekends roasting your tires!!
I believe the head combo kit cost about $1500 or so..
I believe the head combo kit cost about $1500 or so..
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Pistoia PT (ITALY)
The Edelbrock Kit is a very good one....... but please, pay attention to you bottom-end before to rev it at 6500 RPM for long time!!!!!
As I sed, minimum, you have to replace stock bolts with ARP studs in you main caps of your L48 two bolts block!
As I sed, minimum, you have to replace stock bolts with ARP studs in you main caps of your L48 two bolts block!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
no way 400hp or more
No way those kits'll push even 400 fwhp from an otherwise stock OE L48 ... OE L48 has OE dished pistons ... OE L48 might, just barely make 9:1 scr when mated to 64cc alum heads & typical gasket for alum head. Do your homework ... lotta those kits' install instructions tell you big hp claims based on flattops & zero deck ... OE L48 has neither. Also ... mate an rpm cam ( or similar profile) w/ 9:1 scr & you'll get a dog ... too much cam for lo comp.
For a STOCK L48, You might consider heads w/ smaller chambers (ie L98 aka ZZ4 heads w/ 58cc chambers). 58cc will push OE L48 to at least 9.6:1. Those heads, a medium cam & good exhaust'll work wonders on an otherwise stock L48.
here's a good scr calculator & you can search this forum to find whatever data you don't know that needs to be plugged in ... it's been done before.
http://www.21cgt.com/FMWebCatalog/frmConversion4.aspx
For a STOCK L48, You might consider heads w/ smaller chambers (ie L98 aka ZZ4 heads w/ 58cc chambers). 58cc will push OE L48 to at least 9.6:1. Those heads, a medium cam & good exhaust'll work wonders on an otherwise stock L48.
here's a good scr calculator & you can search this forum to find whatever data you don't know that needs to be plugged in ... it's been done before.
http://www.21cgt.com/FMWebCatalog/frmConversion4.aspx
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin
I have a 75, L48 4spd, 3.36, just like Mikep3's I was thinking of going with the Edelbrock Performer RPM kit. Do you guys really think it is going to be a dog on the bottom end. Maybe I need to go with the 2102 cam from Edlebrock. Sorry about the Hijack.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
This been beat to death long ago many times ... maybe eb changed specs in that time ... I dunno I ain't gonna look it up again ... but it used to be fairly typical eb's plain performer cam was too small for most street folks ... while eb's RPM cam was too big for most street folks ... that eb didn't have a decent middle choice. Seems to me, most kits (regardless of brand) are a compromise for most folks ... if I'm building a motor & spending that kinda $ I want the parts that are optimally matched to what I have ... not necessarily the priciest nor the biggest ... but the best match.
used to be ... maybe same today:
used to be ... maybe same today:
- performer cam was small aka "RV" cam ... responsive down low but soon runs outta breath. Great heavy/hauler truck cam ... hence RV.
- RPM cam was too big for most street ... poor vacuum, poor response/dog down low.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
75 Waz, I got mail from Jackson and Glensgauges about this subject.
If you stuck with the L48 bottom you need CR from new heads 64, 62 and 58 cc chambers on new heads will do some of that. Then you need a cam, wow these guys are hot on a big point too big is too big and too small is too small.
I think this is the best for me, http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...merIntake.aspx
with a cam like this http://www.sdparts.com/product/KITSD...5quotlift.aspx
On top of that, I have asked SDparts to see if I can get the head/intake combo with an Edelbrock performer airgap intake.
What do you think?
If you stuck with the L48 bottom you need CR from new heads 64, 62 and 58 cc chambers on new heads will do some of that. Then you need a cam, wow these guys are hot on a big point too big is too big and too small is too small.
I think this is the best for me, http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...merIntake.aspx
with a cam like this http://www.sdparts.com/product/KITSD...5quotlift.aspx
On top of that, I have asked SDparts to see if I can get the head/intake combo with an Edelbrock performer airgap intake.
What do you think?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: South Elgin IL
75 Waz, I got mail from Jackson and Glensgauges about this subject.
If you stuck with the L48 bottom you need CR from new heads 64, 62 and 58 cc chambers on new heads will do some of that. Then you need a cam, wow these guys are hot on a big point too big is too big and too small is too small.
I think this is the best for me, http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...merIntake.aspx
with a cam like this http://www.sdparts.com/product/KITSD...5quotlift.aspx
On top of that, I have asked SDparts to see if I can get the head/intake combo with an Edelbrock performer airgap intake.
What do you think?
If you stuck with the L48 bottom you need CR from new heads 64, 62 and 58 cc chambers on new heads will do some of that. Then you need a cam, wow these guys are hot on a big point too big is too big and too small is too small.
I think this is the best for me, http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...merIntake.aspx
with a cam like this http://www.sdparts.com/product/KITSD...5quotlift.aspx
On top of that, I have asked SDparts to see if I can get the head/intake combo with an Edelbrock performer airgap intake.
What do you think?
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin
Mikep 3,
I didn't know that kit was out their. Looks good... Everyone keeps talking about this 270H cam. I guess that is why I am on this fourm, to get good information from guys that have been down this road before.
Thanks for all the help....
I didn't know that kit was out their. Looks good... Everyone keeps talking about this 270H cam. I guess that is why I am on this fourm, to get good information from guys that have been down this road before.
Thanks for all the help....
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Sorry, I usually mention that. If you keep the RPM's to 5500 tops, it will be a great set up you wont be disappointed with!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
here is what is says for each, plus the 'Torker'-cam -
Performer - P/N 2102
Advertsied = 278* I / 288* E
@ .050" = 204* I / 214* E
Lift = .420" I / .442" E
LSA = 112*
Performer RPM - P/N 7102
Advertised = 308* I / 318* E
@ .050" = 234* I / 244* E
Lift = .488" I / .510" E
LSA = 112*
Torker-Plus - P/N 5002
Advertised = 292* I / 300* E
@ .050" = 232* I / 234* E
Lift = .488" I / .488" E
LSA = 108
I believe these are the only hydraulic/flat-tappet cams listed for SBC in this book:
once-again, Jackson is correct about not-much-choice.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
Most of these kits list HP with 10:1 CR and open headers.
How much loss with 8.5:1 and semi-stock mufflers?
I have the L82 with headers and duel exhaust, and have been looking at these kits.
How much loss with 8.5:1 and semi-stock mufflers?
I have the L82 with headers and duel exhaust, and have been looking at these kits.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Enfield CT
I went with the trick flow kit and it worked out great for my 1980 L82 My car put down 272 hp at the rear wheels.I used the 350 hp /400 ft lbs of torque kitSee my photos for the dyno sheet and time slips.Click on the pictures to enlarge
See my photos for the dyno sheet and time slips.Click on the pictures to enlarge
Last edited by bozzman3; Dec 29, 2007 at 12:09 AM.