Recommendations for heads, cam, intake.....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 86
From: DALLAS/FT WORTH TEXAS
Recommendations for heads, cam, intake.....
Hello,
I usually post in the ZO6 section. I daily drive a 2001 ZO6.
I just bought a 1979 L-82 4spd car to tinker with on the weekends. We just performed a compression test and leak down. Now that I am confident the bottom end is solid. I would like to buy a nice set of heads, cam and intake. I am also on a budget.
What brand and specs would you recommend for a stock car? I'm not really concerned about making big power. I just want to freshen up the old mill. (LOOKING FOR LOW END TORQUE, NOT A HIGH REVING SET UP.)
Thanks!
I usually post in the ZO6 section. I daily drive a 2001 ZO6.
I just bought a 1979 L-82 4spd car to tinker with on the weekends. We just performed a compression test and leak down. Now that I am confident the bottom end is solid. I would like to buy a nice set of heads, cam and intake. I am also on a budget.
What brand and specs would you recommend for a stock car? I'm not really concerned about making big power. I just want to freshen up the old mill. (LOOKING FOR LOW END TORQUE, NOT A HIGH REVING SET UP.)
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Hello,
I usually post in the ZO6 section. I daily drive a 2001 ZO6.
I just bought a 1979 L-82 4spd car to tinker with on the weekends. We just performed a compression test and leak down. Now that I am confident the bottom end is solid. I would like to buy a nice set of heads, cam and intake. I am also on a budget.
What brand and specs would you recommend for a stock car? I'm not really concerned about making big power. I just want to freshen up the old mill. (LOOKING FOR LOW END TORQUE, NOT A HIGH REVING SET UP.)
Thanks!
I usually post in the ZO6 section. I daily drive a 2001 ZO6.
I just bought a 1979 L-82 4spd car to tinker with on the weekends. We just performed a compression test and leak down. Now that I am confident the bottom end is solid. I would like to buy a nice set of heads, cam and intake. I am also on a budget.
What brand and specs would you recommend for a stock car? I'm not really concerned about making big power. I just want to freshen up the old mill. (LOOKING FOR LOW END TORQUE, NOT A HIGH REVING SET UP.)
Thanks!
Just did the top half of mine, minus the heads... Have fun!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
upgrade L82(flattop) 4spd w/ $1200-1300
GM Vortecs are nice but REQUIRE both another intake manifold ($125-up) and centerbolt valve covers ($50-up).
So ... keep-use your intake & VCs ... alum heads either Brodix IK180 or Edelbrock Estreet 185 ... either can be had for around $1K/pr ... use with GM 10105117 head gaskets ... and a different cam w/maybe even less intake duration than L82.
-add-Iron Dart Platinums would also be nice ... again about 180-190 runner but since they're iron about 70-72cc chamber ... I don't recall what all sizes those Darts have available ... use with felpro 1094 head gaskets
GM Vortecs are nice but REQUIRE both another intake manifold ($125-up) and centerbolt valve covers ($50-up).
So ... keep-use your intake & VCs ... alum heads either Brodix IK180 or Edelbrock Estreet 185 ... either can be had for around $1K/pr ... use with GM 10105117 head gaskets ... and a different cam w/maybe even less intake duration than L82.
-add-Iron Dart Platinums would also be nice ... again about 180-190 runner but since they're iron about 70-72cc chamber ... I don't recall what all sizes those Darts have available ... use with felpro 1094 head gaskets
Last edited by jackson; Jun 13, 2009 at 04:55 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: NJ
upgrade L82(flattop) 4spd w/ $1200-1300
GM Vortecs are nice but REQUIRE both another intake manifold ($125-up) and centerbolt valve covers ($50-up).
So ... keep-use your intake & VCs ... alum heads either Brodix IK180 or Edelbrock Estreet 185 ... either can be had for around $1K/pr ... use with GM 10105117 head gaskets ... and a different cam w/maybe even less intake duration than L82.
-add-Iron Dart Platinums would also be nice ... again about 180-190 runner but since they're iron about 70-72cc chamber ... I don't recall what all sizes those Darts have available ... use with felpro 1094 head gaskets
GM Vortecs are nice but REQUIRE both another intake manifold ($125-up) and centerbolt valve covers ($50-up).
So ... keep-use your intake & VCs ... alum heads either Brodix IK180 or Edelbrock Estreet 185 ... either can be had for around $1K/pr ... use with GM 10105117 head gaskets ... and a different cam w/maybe even less intake duration than L82.
-add-Iron Dart Platinums would also be nice ... again about 180-190 runner but since they're iron about 70-72cc chamber ... I don't recall what all sizes those Darts have available ... use with felpro 1094 head gaskets
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
That's a very reasonable budget as long as you're careful 
The L-82 cam (P/N 3896962) really isn't bad at all with .450/.460 lift. Modern profiles with a faster ramp will deliver more midrange power but in an aftermarket you'd be looking around the same lift if you're just looking for a moderate power gain. I'd leave it.
The heads aren't bad either with 2.02/1.6 valves on the L-82, but they have the "smog" chambers. IMHO, this is where I'd spend the money. Since you're looking at the intake anyway, an out-of-the-box set of Vortecs (P/N 12558060) at $600/pair and the matching Edelbrock Performer EPS intake (P/N 2716) for around $185. The stock cam is within the lift limits of the stock Vortec heads (.475), and another $60 or so will add a set of GMPP self-aligning stamped-steel rockers (P/N 12495490) and you're set. Center-bolt covers can be had on <external auction sites not to be mentioned on CF> for around $30, or get an adapter plate if you want a factory look.
Combine this with a carb overhaul, a decent set of headers and exhaust upgrades and a good tune and you've got a solid performer for right in your budget numbers.
The L-82 cam (P/N 3896962) really isn't bad at all with .450/.460 lift. Modern profiles with a faster ramp will deliver more midrange power but in an aftermarket you'd be looking around the same lift if you're just looking for a moderate power gain. I'd leave it.
The heads aren't bad either with 2.02/1.6 valves on the L-82, but they have the "smog" chambers. IMHO, this is where I'd spend the money. Since you're looking at the intake anyway, an out-of-the-box set of Vortecs (P/N 12558060) at $600/pair and the matching Edelbrock Performer EPS intake (P/N 2716) for around $185. The stock cam is within the lift limits of the stock Vortec heads (.475), and another $60 or so will add a set of GMPP self-aligning stamped-steel rockers (P/N 12495490) and you're set. Center-bolt covers can be had on <external auction sites not to be mentioned on CF> for around $30, or get an adapter plate if you want a factory look.
Combine this with a carb overhaul, a decent set of headers and exhaust upgrades and a good tune and you've got a solid performer for right in your budget numbers.
Last edited by billla; Jun 14, 2009 at 04:26 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
That's a very reasonable budget as long as you're careful
The L-82 cam (P/N 3896962) really isn't bad at all with .450/.460 lift. Modern profiles with a faster ramp will deliver more midrange power but in an aftermarket you'd be looking around the same lift if you're just looking for a moderate power gain. I'd leave it.
The heads aren't bad either with 2.02/1.6 valves on the L-82, but they have the "smog" chambers. IMHO, this is where I'd spend the money. Since you're looking at the intake anyway, an out-of-the-box set of Vortecs (P/N 12558060) at $600/pair and the matching Edelbrock Performer EPS intake (P/N 2716) for around $185. The stock cam is within the lift limits of the stock Vortec heads (.475), and another $60 or so will add a set of GMPP self-aligning stamped-steel rockers (P/N 12495490) and you're set. Center-bolt covers can be had on <external auction sites not to be mentioned on CF> for around $30, or get an adapter plate if you want a factory look.
Combine this with a carb overhaul, a decent set of headers and exhaust upgrades and a good tune and you've got a solid performer for right in your budget numbers.
The L-82 cam (P/N 3896962) really isn't bad at all with .450/.460 lift. Modern profiles with a faster ramp will deliver more midrange power but in an aftermarket you'd be looking around the same lift if you're just looking for a moderate power gain. I'd leave it.
The heads aren't bad either with 2.02/1.6 valves on the L-82, but they have the "smog" chambers. IMHO, this is where I'd spend the money. Since you're looking at the intake anyway, an out-of-the-box set of Vortecs (P/N 12558060) at $600/pair and the matching Edelbrock Performer EPS intake (P/N 2716) for around $185. The stock cam is within the lift limits of the stock Vortec heads (.475), and another $60 or so will add a set of GMPP self-aligning stamped-steel rockers (P/N 12495490) and you're set. Center-bolt covers can be had on <external auction sites not to be mentioned on CF> for around $30, or get an adapter plate if you want a factory look.
Combine this with a carb overhaul, a decent set of headers and exhaust upgrades and a good tune and you've got a solid performer for right in your budget numbers.
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