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I just bought a used miniram. Do I need anything special to install. Like a prom, headers, bigger cam? I have an 85, engine pretty much stock but has a six speed conversion.
My experience with a miniram on a stock 85, 4HP gain. It actually had a mild cam at the time, it dynoed 230 at the wheels versus the factory 230 crank rating.
I would say, based on evidence from later model TPI's, that on an 85, the choke point is not the intake. For instance, a 91 is rated at 245 versus an 85 at 230, with identical intakes. Heads and exhaust are the main reasons.
I'm not saying don't use a miniram, but you will need all the things you mentioned to really benefit from it. There is nothing wrong with doing it a little at a time, just don't expect a huge gain just from going to a miniram on a stock 85.
The 85 computer is very forgiving, I drove mine with a stock tune and a 408cid to 11.9's.
I wouldn't use a mini with a stock headed/cam 85 car. As was said the choke is the heads. A stock intake flows enough to support what the heads can flow. Install that intake and you will lose the low end tq and gain virtually nothing on the top end hp.
If you decide to do heads/cam/exhaust/gear, the intake responds nicely. I got around 50rwhp with the intake alone going from a bigmouth setup to a mini.
I just bought a used mini-ram. Do I need anything special to install. Like a prom, headers, bigger cam? I have an 85, engine pretty much stock but has a six speed conversion.
Thanks
To answer the question, "what else do you need", I agree with the above suggestions, pick up a cam, and a decent set of aluminum heads, I would get a set of Dart, Twisted Trick or Edelbrock for a 350, headers, cat back, and then call TPIS and see what cam they suggest.
What rear gear do you have with the 6-speed conversion?
3.54 ?? Is this required, because I also have an 85 with miniram and keisler 5sp and heads/cam and the works. I have a stock gear--but didn't know it would be required to change. Will it change my 1/4 times by swapping out the gear
By the way--what is my stock rear gear, 85 originally 4+3
3.07 is stock for an 85 4+3, but its really not enough for the miniram.
It will definitely change the 1/4mi times, with a cam that was picked for the MR, which is a high-rpm intake, then the gears will allow the engine to get to the powerband quicker.
I am running a 3.07 right now. You don't HAVE to change it but if you want to optimize the mini you should. It still pulls plenty well with a 3.07. Serious.