Top End Kits
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Top End Kits
Hi, looking for a top end kit. Stock hood, L-48 - Manual Trans
I cant plant a crate motor right now $$ However ,I can budget $2 K for some bolt on fun. I thought I had it ,with the Edelbrock Kit # 2022.Matched components ,til I was informed intake was too high for my hood. Need some help with putting this together. Thanks
I cant plant a crate motor right now $$ However ,I can budget $2 K for some bolt on fun. I thought I had it ,with the Edelbrock Kit # 2022.Matched components ,til I was informed intake was too high for my hood. Need some help with putting this together. Thanks
Last edited by Cheeto; Jul 29, 2016 at 12:18 AM. Reason: add on
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 707
Likes: 147
From: St. Petersburg Florida
I used to have an Edelbrock performer intake with an Edelbrock quadrajet and it fit under my hood. You could put a Performer intake on with the rest of the components in the kit. I don't think it would make that much of a difference in the power numbers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Don't want to derail the conversation, but if you haven't changed exhaust system on your 77 it is a huge HP killer. You'll want to factor in new dual exhaust along with any engine modifications or you will not get the advertised HP figures from a "top end" kit.
Since you have a tight budget you might think about something along this line.
It won't be a killer combo, but with the correct cam it will be a big step up from your stock L48.
Since you have a tight budget you might think about something along this line.
Chevrolet Performance 10185063 - Chevrolet Performance ZZ4 Intake Manifolds
Intake Manifold, ZZ4, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square/Spread Bore, Chevy, Small Block, Each $238.97
Trick Flow Specialties TFS-30310001 - Trick Flow® Super 23® 175 Cylinder Heads for Small Block Chevrolet
Cylinder Head, Super 23® 175, Fast As Cast®, Assembled, 1.250 in. Springs, Chevy, Small Block, Each $550.00
Total $1,338.97
That manifold is designed to work with small cross section L98 heads so it should work with those heads (you should double check port dimensions to make sure), will work with your factory carb, and it fits under my 76's stock hood. That would leave you some money for gaskets, cam shaft kit, rockers, and dual exhaust (~$400).Intake Manifold, ZZ4, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square/Spread Bore, Chevy, Small Block, Each $238.97
Trick Flow Specialties TFS-30310001 - Trick Flow® Super 23® 175 Cylinder Heads for Small Block Chevrolet
Cylinder Head, Super 23® 175, Fast As Cast®, Assembled, 1.250 in. Springs, Chevy, Small Block, Each $550.00
Total $1,338.97
It won't be a killer combo, but with the correct cam it will be a big step up from your stock L48.
Last edited by Jason Staley; Jul 24, 2016 at 06:27 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
Hey I'm in a sorta similar situation - making power on a budget.
The very first thing I would do is ditch your stock exhaust manifolds and get full length headers with true dual exhaust. This is worth a substantial amount of horsepower.
Next, you need some good flowing heads (I'm considering the NKB heads from Skip White. Some people aren't big on Skip White, but essentially he buys bare cast aluminum heads and then puts some quality valves, springs, and retainers in them. Cost is about $700 a pair), a better cam (the stock L48 cam is crap for making power), and a cheap low-rise dual-plane intake.
You should be able to do all of that for under $2k if you shop smart and it will make quite a bit more than that 310hp edelbrock kit. I would advise you to do some research and ask lots of questions before you buy anything, I'm still learning, but there are a lot of experienced people on this forum who can help you out if you ask nicely.
The very first thing I would do is ditch your stock exhaust manifolds and get full length headers with true dual exhaust. This is worth a substantial amount of horsepower.
Next, you need some good flowing heads (I'm considering the NKB heads from Skip White. Some people aren't big on Skip White, but essentially he buys bare cast aluminum heads and then puts some quality valves, springs, and retainers in them. Cost is about $700 a pair), a better cam (the stock L48 cam is crap for making power), and a cheap low-rise dual-plane intake.
You should be able to do all of that for under $2k if you shop smart and it will make quite a bit more than that 310hp edelbrock kit. I would advise you to do some research and ask lots of questions before you buy anything, I'm still learning, but there are a lot of experienced people on this forum who can help you out if you ask nicely.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Hey I'm in a sorta similar situation - making power on a budget.
The very first thing I would do is ditch your stock exhaust manifolds and get full length headers with true dual exhaust. This is worth a substantial amount of horsepower.
Next, you need some good flowing heads (I'm considering the NKB heads from Skip White. Some people aren't big on Skip White, but essentially he buys bare cast aluminum heads and then puts some quality valves, springs, and retainers in them. Cost is about $700 a pair), a better cam (the stock L48 cam is crap for making power), and a cheap low-rise dual-plane intake.
You should be able to do all of that for under $2k if you shop smart and it will make quite a bit more than that 310hp edelbrock kit. I would advise you to do some research and ask lots of questions before you buy anything, I'm still learning, but there are a lot of experienced people on this forum who can help you out if you ask nicely.
The very first thing I would do is ditch your stock exhaust manifolds and get full length headers with true dual exhaust. This is worth a substantial amount of horsepower.
Next, you need some good flowing heads (I'm considering the NKB heads from Skip White. Some people aren't big on Skip White, but essentially he buys bare cast aluminum heads and then puts some quality valves, springs, and retainers in them. Cost is about $700 a pair), a better cam (the stock L48 cam is crap for making power), and a cheap low-rise dual-plane intake.
You should be able to do all of that for under $2k if you shop smart and it will make quite a bit more than that 310hp edelbrock kit. I would advise you to do some research and ask lots of questions before you buy anything, I'm still learning, but there are a lot of experienced people on this forum who can help you out if you ask nicely.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I build an entire 355 4 bolt 375-400hp engine for under 1,500 by buying components used on Craigslist.... For 2 grand you can replace the cam and lifters (around $200) with a performance cam and go with middle of the road performance heads for about 7-800 bucks... A performance intake for $150 and headers and exhaust or sidepipes and still have room for a new carb if you desired... And thats buying everything new not used by shopping by specs not branding... Usually the absolute most expensive single options are suggested..? My opinion is you will get more bang for your buck with all the components mentioned above even if they are middle of the road as far as performance vs spending all that money on say a very expensive set of afrs only to be choking them with the rest of the combination you can't afford to upgrade at that point.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 24, 2016 at 11:40 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
Hey I'm in a sorta similar situation - making power on a budget.
The very first thing I would do is ditch your stock exhaust manifolds and get full length headers with true dual exhaust. This is worth a substantial amount of horsepower.
Next, you need some good flowing heads (I'm considering the NKB heads from Skip White. Some people aren't big on Skip White, but essentially he buys bare cast aluminum heads and then puts some quality valves, springs, and retainers in them. Cost is about $700 a pair), a better cam (the stock L48 cam is crap for making power), and a cheap low-rise dual-plane intake.
You should be able to do all of that for under $2k if you shop smart and it will make quite a bit more than that 310hp edelbrock kit. I would advise you to do some research and ask lots of questions before you buy anything, I'm still learning, but there are a lot of experienced people on this forum who can help you out if you ask nicely.
The very first thing I would do is ditch your stock exhaust manifolds and get full length headers with true dual exhaust. This is worth a substantial amount of horsepower.
Next, you need some good flowing heads (I'm considering the NKB heads from Skip White. Some people aren't big on Skip White, but essentially he buys bare cast aluminum heads and then puts some quality valves, springs, and retainers in them. Cost is about $700 a pair), a better cam (the stock L48 cam is crap for making power), and a cheap low-rise dual-plane intake.
You should be able to do all of that for under $2k if you shop smart and it will make quite a bit more than that 310hp edelbrock kit. I would advise you to do some research and ask lots of questions before you buy anything, I'm still learning, but there are a lot of experienced people on this forum who can help you out if you ask nicely.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Don't want to derail the conversation, but if you haven't changed exhaust system on your 77 it is a huge HP killer. You'll want to factor in new dual exhaust along with any engine modifications or you will not get the advertised HP figures from a "top end" kit.
Since you have a tight budget you might think about something along this line.
It won't be a killer combo, but with the correct cam it will be a big step up from your stock L48.
Since you have a tight budget you might think about something along this line.
Chevrolet Performance 10185063 - Chevrolet Performance ZZ4 Intake Manifolds
Intake Manifold, ZZ4, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square/Spread Bore, Chevy, Small Block, Each $238.97
Trick Flow Specialties TFS-30310001 - Trick Flow® Super 23® 175 Cylinder Heads for Small Block Chevrolet
Cylinder Head, Super 23® 175, Fast As Cast®, Assembled, 1.250 in. Springs, Chevy, Small Block, Each $550.00
Total $1,338.97
That manifold is designed to work with small cross section L98 heads so it should work with those heads (you should double check port dimensions to make sure), will work with your factory carb, and it fits under my 76's stock hood. That would leave you some money for gaskets, cam shaft kit, rockers, and dual exhaust (~$400).Intake Manifold, ZZ4, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square/Spread Bore, Chevy, Small Block, Each $238.97
Trick Flow Specialties TFS-30310001 - Trick Flow® Super 23® 175 Cylinder Heads for Small Block Chevrolet
Cylinder Head, Super 23® 175, Fast As Cast®, Assembled, 1.250 in. Springs, Chevy, Small Block, Each $550.00
Total $1,338.97
It won't be a killer combo, but with the correct cam it will be a big step up from your stock L48.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Trick Flow's website say's the 175 heads have 1.230” x 1.990” intake ports. I couldn't find the manifolds port size, but Summit Racing does recommend to use Fel-Pro Gasket Set 1256 with that manifold, which has 1.23" x 1.99" port openings. So that combo probably will work, but I would call Summit, Jegs, or Pace Performance and see if they can confirm that.
Also, Summit Racing has other manifolds too that are more inexpensive, but I can't tell you if they will fit under your stock hood.
Also, Summit Racing has other manifolds too that are more inexpensive, but I can't tell you if they will fit under your stock hood.
Last edited by Jason Staley; Jul 24, 2016 at 02:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Trick Flow's website say's the 175 heads have 1.230” x 1.990” intake ports. I couldn't find the manifolds port size, but Summit Racing does recommend to use Fel-Pro Gasket Set 1256 with that manifold, which has 1.23" x 1.99" port openings. So that combo probably will work, but I would call Summit, Jegs, or Pace Performance and see if they can confirm that.
Also, Summit Racing has other manifolds too that are more inexpensive, but I can't tell you if they will fit under your stock hood.
Also, Summit Racing has other manifolds too that are more inexpensive, but I can't tell you if they will fit under your stock hood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I would research several cam manufacturer's websites and then call their tech lines for advise. They'll probably want to know the following:
Trickflow, Edelbrock, GM, Summit Racing, Jegs, .... lots of cams to choose from. Might just call Trickflow and see if they have a cam designed for those particular heads - would reduce chance of getting a mismatched setup. You will want to make sure the cam is compatible with the valve springs to avoid valve train issues.
- Desired RPM range you will operate the car in
- The heads your going to use along with the valve springs
- Carb type & size
- Manual or Auto (what stall converter you are going to use)
- Rear end gear ratio & tire diameter
- Approx. weight of your car
Trickflow, Edelbrock, GM, Summit Racing, Jegs, .... lots of cams to choose from. Might just call Trickflow and see if they have a cam designed for those particular heads - would reduce chance of getting a mismatched setup. You will want to make sure the cam is compatible with the valve springs to avoid valve train issues.
Last edited by Jason Staley; Jul 24, 2016 at 03:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I went with a lunati voodoo 262/268 cam... The 262 and 268 comp cams are also popular for the stock factory gearing in most of the c3 cars.. anything bigger than 268 usually requires a higher than 2000rpm stall converter to work well. for my setup the lunati cam had large performance gains over the comp version in the dyno 2000 software I used with the specs on my heads.
The advice above about the valve springs is good.
Since my voodoo cam is a flat tappet and has an aggressive lobe design I opted to buy the recommended springs from lunati for the valves.
The advice above about the valve springs is good.
Since my voodoo cam is a flat tappet and has an aggressive lobe design I opted to buy the recommended springs from lunati for the valves.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
So to use the above Trick Flow heads: Trick Flow cam, 266/272 #31401000 ,Performer intake #2101,new HEI dist. roller rockers,hyd lifters,push rods, hardware ,bolts,gaskets, oh and,Flowtech headers #31106FLT Gonna try and use my stock carb So This is what the Tech worked on today for me
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
OK So , I have a ton of ideas, parts, part #s and so on. Great info from the site as well. So when you stated why wont that intake fit under hood ,,which are you talking about ? Sorry
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 215
Likes: 26
From: Bismarck North Dakota
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin